PVD, short for physical vapour deposition, is a group of vacuum-based techniques that lay a thin film or coating onto a base material. On watches it can give a case a black finish. Its coatings can be harder and more resistant to corrosion than electroplated ones.
How does PVD work?
PVD takes place in a vacuum. A thin film of coating material is laid down on the part. The process runs at lower temperatures than chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and other heat-based methods. There is a catch. Most PVD methods coat only surfaces that face the coating material in a direct, straight line. Areas hidden from that line can be missed, so the shape of the part matters.
Is a PVD coating scratch-resistant?
Not entirely. A PVD coating can be scratched. Applying many coats makes it very resistant in practice, so a coating built up in layers holds up well day to day. In everyday wear, DLC is usually tougher and more resistant than PVD. Against electroplated coatings, though, PVD can come out ahead, as it can be harder and better at resisting corrosion.
Where it comes from
PVD and DLC treatments first appeared on high-end watches. Over time they spread much more widely. Heuer made a very small run of black PVD Monaco chronographs in the mid-1970s. The finish is not limited to watches. It is also used on consumer electronics, including the Space Gray and Gold versions of the iPhone and the Apple Watch.
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