The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Ok guys, I was poking around online for a new tool watch and came across a brand I wasnt familiar with. Damasko, from what I could gather is that its a German watch brand which has developed many innovative technical advances and designs along side with Sinn. One of which being what they call an "Ice Hardened Case". It supposedly brings the steel to a hardness of 700Hv. Whatever that means...Haha.

My questions are - Is anyone else familiar with this brand? Is this Ice Hardening marketing hype or the real deal? Would it be worth picking one up to give it a shot or should I stick with something like a Sinn that has the Tegimented Steel case or something with a DLC/PVD?

Any insight or info would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Yes and Yes.

Their reference to 'Ice' hardening' refers to the standard cryogenic process used to enhance the toughness and wear resistance of steels. It doesn't use 'ice', but liquid nitrogen. Ice won't change steel except make it colder!.

700 HV is about as hard as you can get 316L Stainless steel. Thats not particularly hard (about the same or slightly less than for an ordinary carbon steel wood chisel or sawblade, or likewise cutting tool). It won't prevent scratches, although they might not be so pronounced as with untreated steel.

I think there is an element of marketing hype here. However, it's probably offers more durability than a hard coating that once scratched, can't be polished out.

Ike

Damasko make some great tool watches, and yes (as you've already found out) the ice-hardening "thing" is indeed the real deal. In actual fact Damasko used to make cases for Sinn watches until they decided to go on their own. In many ways Damaskos process is better than that used by Sinn as it goes deeper into the metal, so reducing the chance of the dreaded "eggshell" effect. That is, when a super-hard but very thin surface can be damaged or cracked (like an eggshell) with a pointed implement because the underlying substrate is much softer.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the help gents!! Im definitely considering one of these for my next tool watch.

Yes, the 'eggshell' effect can only occur with an ultra-hard CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) coating. Depending on the chemical composition of which there are many possibilities, subequent heat treatment transforms the deposited layer into a crystalline (ceramic) structure, and the hardness can feasibly approach that of diamond. The problem occurs because the heat treatment also softens the underlying metal.

CVD is TOTALLY different to 'ice-hardening' (BS term - technically cryo treatment). There is NO chance whatsover of surface cracking with cryo-treated steel. It has the same structure right through. Any damage can be polished out as with normal 316L watch case.