Is it true that PVD is basically the same process as the powdercoating used in the automotive industry?
I`ve discussed this with a friend of mine who is an industry mechanic,but totally oblivious when it comes to watches,he reckons it`s the same procedure.I`m not too sure..

Cheers
Marius

: Particle size and composition is quite important in the PVD world!

: The early smooth finishes with homogeneous particle size were prone
: to "brassing", where the PVD coating wears at the
: edges revealing the base metal underneath. Examples of Heuers
: with this type of finish are the 510.511 Carrera (though this
: was a later attempt at perfecting the smooth finish, it is often
: still the victim of brassing) and the early Monzas. From photos,
: it looks like the PVD Monaco does too but it really needs
: handling of the watch to discern properly.

: One solution tried was to include a mix of particle sizes, shown by
: a rougher finish of the PVD with larger particles readily
: evident. Ref the 110.571 Carrera, the Pasadena and later
: Monacos. The solution wasn't perfect - some brassing still
: occurs and the larger particles can also chip and leave the
: watch with a pockmarked appearance.

: Heuer, and others, were experimenting with their PVD finishes
: pretty much constantly, so there can be considerable variation
: between the original PVD finishes within a model range over a
: number of years. They seemed to go back and forward between the
: "smooth" and "lumpy" finishes too - I guess
: each has it plusses and minusses.

: Modern PVD finishes tend to be of a homogeneous particle size but
: often thicker than their predecessors - certainly, adhesion and
: resistance to brassing seems to have improved over the years.
: It's an interesting topic, and good for us that Heuer were
: amongst the pioneers of this finish - for me, it often makes for
: an attractive watch.