DLC watch coating ***101***

[Blasting&Coating]

Hello everyone,

I know that many of you have been wondering what the heck is the DLC coating and what is the procedure a given watch goes through in order to acquire the so desired bullet proof DLC coating. Well, it is a quite complicated procedure, going through a number of stages serving its specific purpose. Sometimes words do the job but I prefer to go a step further and use the step-by-step approach unfolded by the means of the photography. Hopefully after this thread the questions that had not received their answers before now to be close to none. Oh, and btw... when i said previously "bullet proof", well I really meant it...

I hope you'd enjoy the pictures that are about to follow and get the answers of many of the questions you may have...

(1) The strap gets separated from the watch itself and then separated from the clasp:


(2) After the strap got detached from the watch, the second step is to unscrew the CG screws and take them away from the watch head.


(3) The next step is taking the CG apart, by removing the lever and pin off


(4) The crown is getting removed and separated from the stem next; as well as, getting the movement out


(5) The chrono buttons are next to be separated from the case

(6) The domed glass is next to be pressed out. Due to the glass shape we got a bit creative with the dies


(7) Since the watch has been taken apart already it is time to get it bead blasted. Please do not mind the color of my gloves


(8) The next step is to get the watch parts bathed in ultrasonic bath. The procedure is absolutely mandatory as the glass beads as very small and get stuck on the watch case body.


(9)The next step is the pre-final step where the watch parts are getting dried out and then send to get DLC coated


(10) Here is a picture of the chamber where all the magic happens and the watch parts are getting DLC coated

(11)Here is the final product in pencil lead color carrying some attitude The following images will show the process of getting the watch put together


(12) The next step is performing an accuracy check on a timograph and get it adjusted


(13)And here is how the watch looking at the final stage... the show off pose-down

[mechnut]

Well done, Nick. I'd love to do a 112 one day.

[polaco23]

Thanks for the amazing thread!

I love watching stuff like this, plus the end result looks great!

Reminds me of the stuff Jocke puts out on his rolexes on the rolex forum


If you have other stuff like this, please post more!!

[foodle]

Thanks for posting those pics.

Panerai looks great.

[Sidheguitarist]

That's one heckuva 2nd post, Nick! Thanks for the pictorial!

[Blasting&Coating]

That's one heckuva 2nd post, Nick! Thanks for the pictorial!

Thank you sir

[ikkoku]

very nice....

what would the outcome be if the watch was not blasted prior to getting the DLC coat?

[rockmastermike]

Way cool, thanks.

[dukerules]

Extremely cool pictorial.

[nishant]

WOW ! Ultra-Cool

[koda240]

What a great thread. Thanks for posting

[Blasting&Coating]

very nice....

what would the outcome be if the watch was not blasted prior to getting the DLC coat?

The problem with the pre-owed watches is, well they are pre-owed. Hairlines, scratches, minor dents... Those are all taken care of by the beadblasting with different blasting medias. On top of that beadblasting finish is the most suitable specifically for Panerai which is giving that nice and smooth matte finish we are used to.

[ikkoku]

very nice....

what would the outcome be if the watch was not blasted prior to getting the DLC coat?

The problem with the pre-owed watches is, well they are pre-owed. Hairlines, scratches, minor dents... Those are all taken care of by the beadblasting with different blasting medias. On top of that beadblasting finish is the most suitable specifically for Panerai which is giving that nice and smooth matte finish we are used to.

Makes sense. Thanks.

[foodle]

How well does this work on titanium (grade 2)?

[jimyritz]

Thanks for posting....Very cool..

[Dedalus]

Cool thread.
Welcome to the madhouse, Nick.

[aikiman44]

Great thread, enjoyed it.

[Blasting&Coating]

How well does this work on titanium (grade 2)?

It the substrate doesn't matter as long as it is non-corrosive/oxidative. The properties of the DLC coating does not depend on the metal it's been applied on.

Cool thread.
Welcome to the madhouse, Nick.

Thanks mate

[Zidane]

Cool thread. Thanks for the tutorial!

[marchone]

Great pictorial. Thanks for posting it. It was especially interesting to me to see the machinery in use. One question though ...

... I thought you were going to shoot it? Or at least a random piece of DLC'd steel? That would be something.

Oh, and btw... when i said previously "bullet proof", well I really meant it...

[Blasting&Coating]

Grabbing the HK and will bring the MF down w/ a full round

[marchone]

Cool.

[BSears]

Outstanding post, Nick! Good stuff here.

Oh and feel free to show us the pics (or video) of the HK on some DLC'd steel.

[spring-diver]

Excellent info...Thanks for sharing

Cheers
Shannon

[Axelay2003]

Wow! Great post and pictorials!