48 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 7, 2011
Hi there,
After reading a lot on AR coating.... I'm wondering why IWC doesn't use a polarized surface on there high end watch? I really like the way the watch looks with AR on the outside but after replacing the sapphire for the 2nd time at €€ I'm considering just to remove it all the way!
Is there a new more durable AR coating on new IWC models? (Omega uses new coating less blueish but more durable they say).
3,778 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
I never felt the need to replace the glass of any watch. All my watches have AR-coating, without any problems. But of course, I am quite careful with my watches. I'm just curious, why did you replace your glass?
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
1,632 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
Polarized watch crystal would create strong darkening on beveled areas and would darken the whole watch face. Also how and why are you planning on removing the AR coating from the factory supplied sapphire crystal?
48 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 7, 2011
Hello Paul & Greg,
I'm wearing my IWC PPC as a every day watch I sleep with it and only take it of when I shower or go swimming (because of the heat that might soften the AR coating) but after 1 year it shows a nasty scratched dot/spot between 1 and 2 hour mark that's growing!? The 1st AR coating on my IWC PPC sapphire was scratch after going to the beach and swimming in salt sea water. This isn't the only watch I've had this problem with I had the same problem on my 2005 Zenith El-Primero and my 2006 Breitling Superocean. I also own a 2001 Forum Calendrier with inside AR coating only and never had to replace the sapphire and it still looks like new. :)
PS I wear my IWC quite careful but had some accidental bumps.
5,080 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Where do I begin. First, if you wear a watch to the beach, you stand a high probability of scratching an AR coating and in fact any crystal coated or not. AR coatings are softer than the crystal, but they are hard enough to stand up to most non abusive conditions. Wearing a watch to a sandy beach to me is abusive.
Second, a polarized coating would do nothing to reduce reflection and improve clarity. It fact depending on how you orient the polarized crystal, it will in fact reduce and filter light transmission. The back crystal on the magnificent Siderale has a polarized element to simulate day and nighttime conditions.
Here is an article I wrote some time ago explaining the features and benefits of AR coatings on watch crystals.
48 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 7, 2011
@ Bill,
Thank you for your proffesional point of view!
I'm just wondering why the IWC PPC AR coated sapphire is more expensive than a IWC Aquatimer AR coated sapphire? Is this beacause the watch is more expensive?....
In my opinion it's the same Sapphire and coating or not?
I realy love my IWC but IWC Sapphire prices are CRAZY!!!! comparing to other brands!
I don't know why one crystal is more expensive than another here, assuming it is, but sometimes this has to do with the size, shape and lip. Some crystals are standard (usually flat) while others are ordered from the manufacturer in custom shapes. I know on some models the custom, special-order fabrication can be quite costly. And that's not IWC's pricing but rather its supplier's.
5,080 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Michael Friedberg Wrote:I don't know why one crystal is more expensive than another here, assuming it is, but sometimes this has to do with the size, shape and lip. Some crystals are standard (usually flat) while others are ordered from the manufacturer in custom shapes. I know on some models the custom, special-order fabrication can be quite costly. And that's not IWC's pricing but rather its supplier's.
The cost of the AR coating is not a big cost variable comparing one coated watch crystal to another. However, AR coating cost is not inexpensive. However, the higher the volume for a coated crystal, the lower the price. It is a batch process, so the longer the run with max capacity in each vacuum chamber the lower production costs. The size and shape are not a big issue in coating costs unless fewer crystals fit in each batch. I suspect, as MF points out, the production cost of the crystal itself, which is a function of its design, is the most significant cost factor differential.
1,632 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
I would not take a PPC on the beach or for playing with the kids in a sandpit nor for a swim in a lake or the sea nor on power boats or yachts. I might take it on a cruise liner so long as its not the Titanic or Costa Concordia. PPCs are not wet sand or salt water happy. Sand can easily scratch stainless steel and gold is far softer. Likewise AR coating will suffer from sand and salt water environments. It's why my camera lenses have filters on, to protect the front element from knocks and unwanted deposits including rain.
After reading a lot on AR coating.... I'm wondering why IWC doesn't use a polarized surface on there high end watch? I really like the way the watch looks with AR on the outside but after replacing the sapphire for the 2nd time at €€ I'm considering just to remove it all the way!
Is there a new more durable AR coating on new IWC models? (Omega uses new coating less blueish but more durable they say).
Thanks for you're reply!
With kind regards,
Last edited: 11 April, 2012 - 13:27
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
I'm wearing my IWC PPC as a every day watch I sleep with it and only take it of when I shower or go swimming (because of the heat that might soften the AR coating) but after 1 year it shows a nasty scratched dot/spot between 1 and 2 hour mark that's growing!? The 1st AR coating on my IWC PPC sapphire was scratch after going to the beach and swimming in salt sea water. This isn't the only watch I've had this problem with I had the same problem on my 2005 Zenith El-Primero and my 2006 Breitling Superocean. I also own a 2001 Forum Calendrier with inside AR coating only and never had to replace the sapphire and it still looks like new. :)
PS I wear my IWC quite careful but had some accidental bumps.
Kind regards.
Last edited: 11 April, 2012 - 23:21
Second, a polarized coating would do nothing to reduce reflection and improve clarity. It fact depending on how you orient the polarized crystal, it will in fact reduce and filter light transmission. The back crystal on the magnificent Siderale has a polarized element to simulate day and nighttime conditions.
Here is an article I wrote some time ago explaining the features and benefits of AR coatings on watch crystals.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
I've been reading you can get the topcoating of by using PolyWatch.
Kind regards,
Last edited: 11 April, 2012 - 23:50
Thank you for your proffesional point of view!
I'm just wondering why the IWC PPC AR coated sapphire is more expensive than a IWC Aquatimer AR coated sapphire? Is this beacause the watch is more expensive?....
In my opinion it's the same Sapphire and coating or not?
I realy love my IWC but IWC Sapphire prices are CRAZY!!!! comparing to other brands!
Kind regards,
Last edited: 12 April, 2012 - 00:03
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
The cost of the AR coating is not a big cost variable comparing one coated watch crystal to another. However, AR coating cost is not inexpensive. However, the higher the volume for a coated crystal, the lower the price. It is a batch process, so the longer the run with max capacity in each vacuum chamber the lower production costs. The size and shape are not a big issue in coating costs unless fewer crystals fit in each batch. I suspect, as MF points out, the production cost of the crystal itself, which is a function of its design, is the most significant cost factor differential.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Likewise AR coating will suffer from sand and salt water environments. It's why my camera lenses have filters on, to protect the front element from knocks and unwanted deposits including rain.
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47