My gunmetal Nixon 51-30 (shown below my Citizen Professional Diver) has only been worn a dozen times and already has a couple of scuffs which can't be removed because of the coating. In response to this post, Ulysses writes:
You need to buy a better watch that has a durable DLC coating on it. Those manufacturers trying to climb up from "fashion brand" status tend to use lower-quality coatings just to look cool but with little thought to durability. Citizen watches use a version of DLC that won't scratch even against steel. A patina is a tarnish that forms on metal due to some sort of chemical reaction; it isn't an accumulation of light scratches. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
A good post on DLC (Diamond-Like Coating)
Note to Ulysses:
Can you please give us a list of other high-quality watches that have DLC coating. What about my Seiko Black Monster, for example?
Also, how does titanium stand up to DLC coating in terms of ruggedness?
I mentioned the Citizen "Duratect" because someone on WatchuSeek was crazy enough to attempt to scratch his DLC watch with a key, and all that happened was his key slowly grated away on the surface of the watch buckle. He even wrote his name onto it and the markings simply wiped off.
Seiko has similar treatments on certain models that are designed to look like steel - you might call this a "stealth" coating - this technology is called "Diashield" and makes titanium watches far less prone to scratches - again, i'm recalling many impressed owner reviews from WatchuSeek. Sadly, most of these are Japanese domestic models only. I guess most of the owners import these watches because Seiko/Citizen aren't considered premium brands in the West. I'd looks at lines like the Citizen Attessa, Casio Oceanus (very underrated) and Seiko Prospex. I'm sure there are plenty of European and American brands which use similar hardening methods, but i'd expect to pay through the nose for them.
In terms of ruggedness, they're pretty even. All the companies I mentioned have their own preferred formulae for titanium alloy treatments to strengthen their watches, and since they are in direct competition I would expect it to be a very close race; based on my research over the years that appears to be the case. As for your Seiko, I can't speak from personal experience since i've never owned a DLC watch (I tend to avoid them, since I love "honest" steel) but i'd be willing to bet it was more durable than the Nixon, simply because one of those companies has a consistent long history of supplying quality time-pieces and the other is a new-comer with different origins and priorities.
If you wish to restore the finish of your watch, it can actually be re-coated contrary to what you may have heard, although at significant expense.
So, having said all that, despite DLC being very hard it is still just a coating and there is always a risk that the coating could become disconnected from the underlying metal. This is more likely around areas where the metal has sharp bends such as the buckle, crown-guard and lugs. That, and the quality of DLC varies dramatically. Surface treatments obviously won't chip or flake off but don't look as cool as a black coating :D.
Posted by: Ulysses | July 28, 2011 at 03:00 PM
I should have read the post before replying; I see you already found the guy who scratched his watch with a key lol.
Posted by: Ulysses | July 28, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Patina also refers to accumulated changes in surface texture and colour that result from normal use of an object----that would include dings, scratches, etc.
Posted by: Angelo | July 28, 2011 at 04:26 PM
That is fantastic info, Ulysses. I wonder if any 50-55mm watches can be purchased made of "honest steel."
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | July 28, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Hi .
Thinking of buying this Citizen watch for my husband:
http://www.goldandtimes.co.uk/mens-citizen-bl5435-58e-eco-drive-chronograph-date-watch-1047-p.asp
Would you know if it as good scratch resistance? He would most likely wear it everyday, he installs windows so is quite hands on.
Thank you
Posted by: Naomi Shimmin | October 10, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Naomi, I'm a huge fan of Citizen watches; however, that black ion coating is prone to scratching and cannot be buffed out. Stick with stainless steel with no coating.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | October 10, 2011 at 01:40 PM
Hi Jeffrey.
Thank you for the advice.
Have decided to go for this model
http://www.goldandtimes.co.uk/mens-citizen-bl8090-51e-eco-drive-calender-date-watch-1271-p.asp
He is obsessed with carbon stuff on his mountain bike and motorbike so hopefully he we love it.
Thanks again
Posted by: Naomi Shimmin | October 11, 2011 at 11:03 AM
That Citizen, all stainless steel, is a safer bet should he ever scratch it. Wise choice. Bests.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | October 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM