You regularly see it mentioned in the specifications on watches: PVD coating. A watch with PVD coating, what exactly is that? What does PVD mean and how is it applied? In this watch news, we explain to you what exactly PVD,'Physical Vapor Deposition', is (because that's what it means).

PVD coating: evaporation and condensation

A PVD coating is a state of physical vapour deposition, a vapour deposition in which material is brought to a surface in gaseous form and condenses there to form a thin layer we call PVD. This process allows a thin layer of material, and it can even be gold, titanium or stainless steel, to be applied to an object such as a watch, for example. To do this, the material is first evaporated in gaseous form and then condensed on the surface of the object. This is done in a vacuum environment, which ensures a strong, durable and aesthetically pleasing result. Compare it to the way ice crystals (frost) are deposited on a tree, this is a natural PVD process.

Horloge met zwarte PVD coating Black PVD coating on a watch.

How exactly does PVD coating work?

The process of PVD coating consists of a number of steps:

Evaporation of the material: The coating material is heated in a vacuum chamber until it evaporates and comes into gaseous form.
Deposition on the object: The gas condenses on the surface of the object (e.g. a watch) and forms a thin layer of the coating material there.
Hardening: The coated layer can be further treated to achieve additional hardness and durability.

Boom met ijskristallen: natuurlijke PVD coating Natural PVD coating: ice crystals (frost) on a tree (photo: Wikipedia).

Why is PVD coating often applied to watches?

On watches, PVD coating is often used to improve the finish and appearance of the case or strap. This process allows watches to have a more beautiful colour (think black, gold or silver cases and watch bands but also titanium finishes) without the watch actually being made of the expensive material itself.

Advantages of PVD-coating on watches

Aesthetics: PVD coatings can give watches a luxurious look, for example by giving them a gold or black colour.
Durability: The coating is very hard and adheres well to actual material of the case and strap, making the watch more resistant to scratches and wear. It often makes the watch case more durable than a watch without a coating.
Corrosion resistance: PVD-treated surfaces are more resistant to rust and oxidation, which is important in watches that come into contact with water or sweat.

Longer service life

PVD coating not only makes watches more beautiful, but also increases their lifespan by making them more durable. It is a popular technique often seen in high-end watches and sporty models.

Want to read more? Also read:

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PVD-coated watches: what is it?

PVD coating: evaporation and condensation

How exactly does PVD coating work?

Why is PVD coating often applied to watches?

Advantages of PVD-coating on watches

Longer service life