Patented Mertensitic Stainless Steel

Through extensive material development, Damasko have made their watch casings almost indestructible. The majority of models are equipped with an ice-hardened, nickel-free casing made from a unique patented mertensitic stainless steel. It is completely hardened through a special process and is four times harder than conventional stainless steel. This base material ensures for the optimum durability of another one of Damasko's innovations, the patented DAMEST® coating.

Austenitic Submarine Steel

With its exceptional strength, in addition to its ductility, complete corrosion resistance even when consistently exposed to seawater, and its high anti-magnetic quality, austenitic submarine steel is the ideal material for Damasko's DS range and DSub range of dive watches. In the submarine steel models, all components such as casing, case back, crown, and bezel undergo surface hardening.

A particular characteristic of this steel alloy is its ductility. This means that the material, despite its very high level of stability, is also capable of reacting elastically, without tearing. This makes austenitic submarine steel the perfect choice of material for Damasko's, with their typical demand for an extremely long lifespan. Of course, the Damasko austenitic submarine steel is exclusively sourced from German steelworks.

Patented DAMEST® Coating

The patented DAMEST® coating is, above all, responsible for combining the three qualities of extreme strength, scratch resistance and flexibility together as optimally as possible for the longevity of the watch and its resistance to scratches. DAMEST® is an abrasion-proof, 7 μm-strong multi-layer coating which sticks to the hardened casing in an optimal manner due to the ion implantation layer, which it uses as an anchor. Additionally, it reliably prevents any breakage in the casing due to a universal tempering of around 710 HV (hardness as per Vickers testing). The ice-tempered stainless steel thus constitutes a stable, shock-resistant background. At the same time, the combination of carrier material and casing in a multi-level structure ensures for a special kind of elasticity, which can compensate for knocks up to a certain point.

Magnetic Protection

Special magnetic field protection is integrated into every Damasko watch in the DA, DH and DC series: A protective soft iron shielding cage surrounds the movement, protecting it from all sides. The inner casing is similar to a Faraday cage. In combination with the shape of the casing, the special alloy prevents magnetic fields from penetrating the movement and adversely affecting its accuracy. The additionally integrated shielding cage made of a special alloy provides protection against magnetism of up to 80,000 A/m. Anti-magnetic according to DIN8309.

Patented EPS® Spiral

Classic mechanical movements have two limits: natural asymmetry of the material itself that increases during its lifespan and the instantaneous influence of temperature, pressure, gravitation and magnetism. The patented EPS® spiral solves these problems at several levels.

The polycrystalline silicon is non-sensitive to physical external influences whilst the spiral itself is highly elastic and significantly lighter than steel spirals, and so there is a considerably lower centrifugal-force upon impacts. The EPS® spiral is also clipped into special patented studs, whose spring-loaded design allows the subtlest of subsequent corrections of the attachment point.

DAMASKO Crown

The goal of the specially constructed DAMASKO crown is low-maintenance, freedom from mechanical wear, and functional reliability throughout the entire life of the watch. It is hardened, screwed down and triple-sealed for maximum protection. In its screwed-down state, the setting stem is disengaged from the crown, ensuring that no pressure, impacts or vibrations are passed on to the piece. The patented DAMASKO lubricant cell supports the crown shaft and provides it with a fine film of lubricant, which lasts for many years.

Patented DAMASKO® Push-button System

Every Damasko chronograph is fitted with a patented push-button system. The DAMASKO pushers are installed securely, permanently lubricated, and repeatedly sealed. They are made from the same ice-hardened stainless steel as all of our other casing components. The use of Titan Grade 5 screw tubes makes the system completely tear-resistant and prevents breakages. This technology makes DAMASKO pushers not only robust and waterproof, but also wear-free. The crown as well as the pushers can be used underwater without any issues.

Rotating Bezel

Exact positioning of the bezel is achieved by the use of three ceramic detent bodies, submerged in specially made grooves. Both the bezel and bezel insert are manufactured from Damasko's ice-hardened stainless steel, treated with the patented DAMEST® coating, and constructed to stay in place. The scale on the bezel ring is not printed, as is conventional practice, but lasered in-house and filled with white multi-component paint. This prevents abrasion or chipping of the paint in the long-term.

The Damasko DSUB line of dive watches feature a special diver ring made from highly resilient and especially sea-water-resistant, austenitic submarine steel. The strong illuminated point at the 12 o'clock position on the bezel guarantees good readability in all underwater conditions, and the elapsed diving time can be easily read at a glance. The unidirectional aspect of the ring ensures exact planning of crucial decompression phases. And thanks to the bezel detent system developed by Damasko, an unintentional readjustment of the bezel is highly unlikely.