PVD coating - how tough?

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Paul Drawmer
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PVD coating - how tough?

Post by Paul Drawmer »

I've accidentally bought a C40 from a fellow forum member.
I wasn't looking for a PVD coated watch because I've wondered about the robustness of the finish.

However; I'm little boy excited about this coming and would like to hear of experiences of living with PVD coatings. How robust are they?
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by robinbarke »

More prone to scratching than stainless steel and less easy to remedy. Exercise due care!

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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by castle »

Paul Drawmer wrote:I've accidentally bought a C40 from a fellow forum member.
Love it. :lol:

I have some old socks I no longer have use for. Any chance of us coming to some arrangement?

I too have hesitated to buy a PVD watch, but I think I have in my mind a bit of metal with spray paint on it, and PVD most defnitiely is NOT this.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by nathanclarinet »

Not sure about CW PVD but the DLC finish on my Steinhart is pretty robust. However, as others have said, you need to excersise some degree of caution - it wont like door handles, brick walls, desk tops etc. etc.........
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by scooter »

I've never dabbled in that area as I have always had some concerns.

That said I have no experience but Members who have are generally happy.

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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by mabotham »

My c600 beater has worn well over 3 years. Few marks on the bezel but it has had some hammer!
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by ddav »

I have a C600 with PVD finish and wear it more than my other watches if I'm doing manual work. So far in 6 months I've not had any scratches on it. DLC is much harder though.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by phllox »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flat-Black-Touc ... 2a274b1061

Not sure how effective this is, but can certainly help
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by lloyd_m »

Paul Drawmer wrote:I've accidentally bought a C40 from a fellow forum member.
''We've come on holiday by mistake" : Withnail and I.

That aside, I have a PVD that was worn almost exclusively for 3 years and inevitably picked up some scratches. The bracelet has worn worse than the watch and lost some of its coating, but this is easily replaced or, as in my case, swapped for a Maratac strap. The bezel and crown have scratches and nothing that I have done has provided an acceptable finish. Black paint tends to be too dark or shiny and marker pens don't last. I can't complain because it took a lot of rough treatment and I still wear it for DIY etc. but I am unlikely to buy another PVD.
If you take care with it though, it should last you many years.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by Paul Drawmer »

Paul Drawmer wrote:I've accidentally bought a C40 from a fellow forum member.
Well, I didn't set out to buy this watch; but it was offered, and I said "yes".
In the nick of time; if you see what I mean.

Thanks for the comments on the coating. It appears to be much as I thought. I doubt if I'd wear it every day anyway, and I don't often bang my watches about.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by Clach77 »

I've had my black C4 for four and a bit years. It's been worn most work days. Apart from one mark on the bracelet it's stood up very well. Now 'replaced' by a black C40. :thumbup:
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

All is not lost if you do get some (serious) scratches.

There was a C8 Mk I Black Hawk offered on ebay last year with scratches to the case that I was interested in.

As I like my watches in good nick, I made enquiries with CWL and found that they would replace the case for 'around £50' all in (inc P&P). This I thought was a remarkably fair price.

Price to do the same exercise on a C40 may be different (higher) as it is a more complex watch with bezel and chrono buttons; but still not the end of the world.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by jmarchitect »

I guess it depends on who has made the case. I have read on another forum where the pvd on a fairly new watch started to look ropey soon after purchase. I have also read of someone removing the coating in an all too easy manner. My personal experience, already documented on this forum, although I can't for the life of me find it, is of my Junkers Horizon which I accidentally caught on a metal door frame. I heard the clunk and scrape, prepared myself for the worst only to look down and see that my case had carved a gouge in the frame and the pvd was unmarked. If you like the look, go for it.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by Saffy »

Personally I quite like the look of worn PVD.
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Re: PVD coating - how tough?

Post by lloyd_m »

Saffy wrote:Personally I quite like the look of worn PVD.
In that case, I have a very nice Traser Classic Automatic that you may be interested in. One careful owner, never raced or rallied.
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