Black Coating Watches, PVD or DLC
Right now there is a high demand for watches that are Black coated. Some watches come all factory black coated but other watches from brands such as Rolex and Audemars Piguet are customized a lot to black. The question is which one is better PVD or DLC?
PVD is the method of coating whereas DLC is the type of PVD coating. I see that there is some confusion between the two and people call black coating PVD . It is wrong to call PVD to any type of black coating since there are many types of black coatings, and PVD is the process in which is coated. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is the method used to deposit thin layers of material by condensation of vapor in a high temperature and vacuum environment.
DLC or Diamond- like carbon coating is the highest quality PVD black coating , the most durable and hardest to scratch. The coating is done with the bonding of high energy precursive carbon rapidly cooled down on the surface. It is very similar to the process of making synthetic diamonds. Not only the process is similar but the carbon coatings have the same attributes as diamonds since they are extremely hard and very resistant to scratches. In other words it is perfect for making metal surfaces more durable. Due to the hardness of the DLC material it is also a disadvantage because it makes it more difficult to bond such material on the surface making it more expensive.
Usually when a watch is referred as PVD Coated then it is for a cheaper type of PVD , and not DLC. If you want to customize your watch to Black make sure it is a PVD DLC. The regular PVD is not a fraction of durable as DLC. The DLC is way more resistant, perhaps a little more expensive but it is worth it. Here at Messina Jewelers we use DLC to customize our Rolex, Panerai and Audemars Piguet Watches since we want to use the highest quality in our products.
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Hello,
Do you offer DLC services? I have a BNIB Panerai Pam 329 that I would be interested in having coated. Can you point me in the right direction?
Regards,
Tom
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Yes we do DLC . We have replied to your e-mail .
Regards,
Oscar
April 24th, 2010 at 5:31 AM
Hello. I’m interested in a DLC coating for my Chopard xl Limited. Gray dial. Have you done any of these and what is the approx cost.
Thanks
June 13th, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Hi Oscar,
I was reading your article about PVD/DLC…. my question is it possible to have both on a watch case?I think Panerai doesit on there reissue of the “PAM 28”. If you can then I’m interested I getting my Panerai 312 with both coatings. Please email me your answer through my email.
Cheers,
Ben
June 25th, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Sorry we only do DLC. The PAM28 is Black PVD.
Regards,
OScar