How durable is PVD?

[SVS]

Talk to me about PVD coatings. How durable are they? Scratch magnets or sufficiently tough?

[PJ S]

The coatings are a good bit harder than the typical substrate to which they are bonded, but if the metal receives a sufficient whack to deform or nick it, then you’ll see the colour of the metal.
Over time, the coating can wear off in areas, making the piece look rough as hell/abused, but this will depend on the original quality of coating process and what the watch will be subjected to in daily usage.
You can see numerous examples where the watch still looks pristine and also of those which the coating has worn – which one yours will be in 5, 10 or more years is anyone’s guess.
Because of that, I’ve personally steered well clear of such watches, even though I had a serious hankering for the LE blue PVD’d Corum Admirals Cup.

[SVS]

Thanks for the info

What about repairing PVD? Touch-up car paint?

A black sharpie pen?

[don logan]

I’ve had 4 PVD / DLC watches, all were fine........ because I was PARANOID about them getting knocked / scratched so I was SUPER SUPER careful!

Thing is, when the get scratched it doesn’t look like “charming patina”

As far as I kmow there is no easy repair

[Starfighter]

SVS said:

Thanks for the info

What about repairing PVD? Touch-up car paint?

A black sharpie pen?

A proper repair would be a full strip down of the watch flowed by removal of the coating and reapplication. It won’t be cheap, a DLC coating oven run is around £500.

[catso]

I've got a black PVD (I assume that's what it is anyway?) Seiko 5 that has had a few years of everyday use, including workshop use, beach holidays (sea & sand) etc. I never bothered to remove or protect it when doing anything hazardous and it has faired very well, only a few very minor marks - that said it wasn't an expensive watch so I wouldn't be overly bothered if it had suffered.