Steinhart black DLC...durable?

[Hard-Drive]

Well, following my big birthday watch present choice on another thread, I'd still not decided between the Squale Tiger, Steinhart Ocean Vintage and the Autodromo Prototipo.

Now suddenly, the Steinhart Ocean Black has really caught my eye. It's just very cool in quite a badass way, and is very versatile. Black bracelet...unlike anything else I have. Khaki NATO...a very military look. Orange rubber...eye catching sporty look. In short, I really like it.

However, I'm very worried about the DLC coating. I'm no expert, but I understand DLC to be harder than PVD? I'm fairly kind to watches...any DIY or similar and the Sekonda beater goes on. However I need it to be able to put up with everyday use without it looking knackered too quickly.

Any experience of DLC durability, particularly on Steinhart?

[Mr_C]

No experience but it looks great and I can't imagine steinhart would sell it if it wouldn't last.

[ecain63]

Hmmmmmm! Quite like that!

[5pen]

Mine is 4 years old now. There isn't a single area where the coating is anything less than perfect. I would say that I am generally pretty good at keeping my to watches in good nick, and it doesn't get worn every day, but even so, I've been impressed.

[TimLambert7]

Oh for god's sake I wish I hadn't seen this.

[shambolic]

TimLambert7 said:

Oh for god's sake I wish I hadn't seen this.

Me too!

[RumpleFugly]

5pen said:

Mine is 4 years old now. There isn't a single area where the coating is anything less than perfect. I would say that I am generally pretty good at keeping my to watches in good nick, and it doesn't get worn every day, but even so, I've been impressed.

Same experience here really. It's in great condition after 4 years, don't wear it every day but thoroughly impressed with it every time I do.

[Hard-Drive]

Thanks for the advice. The bit that really seems to cop it on my Seamaster is the buckle clasp...no problems on the Steinhart there then?

[Jubal]

To add some balance, mine was worn every day for six months or so and the coating has worn off on nearly every edge/corner. This includes clasp, links and lugs.

[gaz1234]

Is this automatic, works off movement only?

[Dr JonboyG]

I have been incredibly impressed with mine; after almost five years the DLC looks perfect, with the exception of a small scar that resulted from misjudging the height of a pitwall at 3 am during a race and faceplanting—on the cold side of the wall, thankfully!

[Mr_C]

gaz1234 said:

Is this automatic, works off movement only?

Yes

[bry1975]

Hi,

Yup Steinhart DLC should be oks I've used the same coating firm many times.

Bry

[SVS]

shambolic said:

TimLambert7 said:

Oh for god's sake I wish I hadn't seen this.

Me too!

And me too!

Stop it!

[The GMan]

I think I might be one of the few in the watch forum that really doesn't get Steinhart.

It's not for me, but obviously they are well made and durable based on the comments here.

[bry1975]

Vintage Steinhart Sub>

[gaz1234]

Mr_C said:

Yes

i think the ecodrives are better

[rich85uk]

think they look great with the ceramic bezel

[Hard-Drive]

rich85uk said:

think they look great with the ceramic bezel

I think I'm going to pull the trigger this weekend. How did you actually order it with a ceramic bezel, as I can't seem to find an option in the website? I've asked them via their contact form on the website but had no reply so far...

Thanks

PS looks great on the green NATO!

[yeti]

The GMan said:

I think I might be one of the few in the watch forum that really doesn't get Steinhart.

What don't you get? Well-priced Swiss made (at least partly, and legally sufficiently Swiss) watches of good quality. Admittedly I don't enjoy some of the more blatant homages but am very pleased with my Ocean One Vintage (which is stealth blantant!).