DLC Coating...what's that?

I was over at the Magrette website and read the following description of the DLC process and properties...pretty cool. DLC is basically PVD's badass cousin... Oh...here are a few examples of DLC watches to get your juices pumping... Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep Sea - Single Red Deep Sea INFORMATION DLC COATING

Diamond Like Carbon coating has many commercial applications, including machine tools, aerospace parts, F1 engine parts, pharmaceutical implants, and of course, high end watches.

There are a few key characteristic of DLC, which has helped it to supplant the use of PVD as a cosmetic coating for fine timepieces:


It's Harder


DLC is an extremely hard coating. The following graph (from pvtechnology.it) shows the comparative surface hardness of various materials, using the Vickers of Hardness scale:


In terms of relative hardness, DLC, at 4000+ HV is:

• About 5X as hard as stainless steel
  
• About equal to sapphire
  
• About one-half as hard as diamond
  
• Significantly harder than other PVD coatings
  

It's Extremely Wear Resistant


Because of its durability, DLC is used as tribological coating for machine tools such as drill bits, saws, and dies. When used on a watch, DLC coatings provide superior durability and wear resistance.



It has a Lower Coefficient of Friction
DLC is quite slick. The following chart compares the coefficient of friction of DLC and other materials:




One of the primary uses of DLC is as a dry lubricant for pumps, machine parts, bearings, cams...even razor blades.

The low-friction attributes of DLC help to increase the durability of the coating when used on watches. Glancing blows against a hard surface, which may dig in and damage normal PVD coating, are more likely to simply slide over across the surface of a DLC coated case.
Simply stated, it's just more difficult to damage a DLC coating.

These characteristics, along with the beauty of DLC, have helped it to grow in popularity as a hard surface coating for fine watches.



Read more about the properties of DLC:

AZOM.com
WIKIPEDIA.org
PVTECHNOLOGY.it

http://www.timeandgems.com/Black-Rolex-DLC-Special-Edition-Watches.html
http://ablogtoread.com/general/discussing-dlc-linde-werdelin-talks-about-the-hard-black-elemental-watch-and-diamond-like-carbon-coating-in-general/
http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-regattare-dlc.php

cool stuff, I didn't know it was wear resistant for use on parts lubrication

Very cool. So now, if I want a black watch I know which coating to look for that's certain.

Extremely interesting Mark ! I know many people say that
PVD can scratch and chip easily. However, the DLC coating
looks to be much tougher. It's good, because now people who
were afraid to get black watches, don't really have to worry
with the DLC. Also, I notice that the finish with DLC can look
less shiny than PVD or IP. Almost looks bead blasted at times,
like on the Magrettes. The Linde Werdelins even have close to a
gunmetal finish on some of them, while the Rolex watches look
like a deep black ! Awesome info, thanks for the links also !

Interesting read, I may have to try a DLC watch. I've always kind of shied away from PVD for fear of wear.

merichar wrote:

Interesting read, I may have to try a DLC watch. I've always kind of shied away from PVD for fear of wear.

DOUBLE DITTO!

Considering buying this one...



I've always wanted a BLACK case watch but PVD scares me...

...maybe this DLC will hold up?

Anomaly wrote:

Considering buying this one...



I've always wanted a BLACK case watch but PVD scares me...

...maybe this DLC will hold up?

Here is a link to the site with the original sales price...http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-regattare-dlc.php

andrema wrote:

Anomaly wrote:

Considering buying this one...



I've always wanted a BLACK case watch but PVD scares me...

...maybe this DLC will hold up?

Here is a link to the site with the original sales price...http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-regattare-dlc.php

These are the specs...etc:

Model: Regattare DLC
Movement: Self-winding, Swiss movement (ETA cal. 2842)
Case Diameter: 44mm excluding crown, stainless steel, DLC coated.
Crown: Screw down
Crystal: Sapphire
Water-resistance: 3 ATM (approx 100ft)
Strap: 24mm Black or tan leather
Buckle: Polished stainless steel (not DLC coated)
Packaging: Hand-made Kauri wooden box
Limited Edition: 200 pieces
Price: $520.00 USD plus shipping
click here to view photos of the Regattare DLC

It sold...

I want the one that reads deepsea on the dial in red. I know somebody is going to post the price or confirm that it was a limited edition that sold out before production began and bust my little bubble. I know I can't afford that piece anyway. That is some killer info on the DLC. Never heard of that so that was a good read. I know what to look for now also.

Dale wrote:

I want the one that reads deepsea on the dial in red. I know somebody is going to post the price or confirm that it was a limited edition that sold out before production began and bust my little bubble. I know I can't afford that piece anyway. That is some killer info on the DLC. Never heard of that so that was a good read. I know what to look for now also.

I hadn't either!

That is what is so great about XMT, always learning new things about WATCHES!

This is DLC as well....

Case looks familiar...

andrema wrote:

Case looks familiar...

3-hand version of this?

The red deepsea was done by a company in the uk,not rolex.The price? about 15k.
I have a deployant thats dlc and so far,its not marked at all.Thats much better than my results with pvd.I've stayed away from that
coating because it does wear off.Some say its durable but do they wear that watch every day? probably not.