Materials
Diamonds
The diamonds on the dial are around 1mm in diameter and weigh around 0.005 carat per stone.
The diamonds feature a "simplified brilliant cut". It's called "simplified brilliant cut" because a round cut diamond (round brilliant) usually has at least 56 facets. Round cut diamonds with a "simplified brilliant cut" have 8 facets on the top and 8 facets on the lower part as well as a table, so a total of 17 facets. Due to their small size they are ideal to be put on a watch dial. Diamonds with a "simplified brilliant cut" in the size range up to a maximum of 0.02 carats achieve a higher brilliance than round brilliants. This is due to the fact that larger facets have an optimal effect in that size range.
316L stainless steel
All LOUIS XVI watches are made out of 316L stainless steel. It's the same steel that is used to manufacture surgical instruments, which rely on toughness and resistance to corrosion.
So what is the difference between 316L stainless steel and regular steel? In essence, 316L stainless steel contains less carbon than the standard 316 steel and therefore is a lot less prone to corrosion caused by acids contained in sea water and sweat.
A watch made out of 316L stainless steel is the perfect fit for people with an active lifestyle. You can be assured that your watch will withstand every challenge.
PVD - Physical Vapor Deposition
PVD steht für "Physical Vapour Deposition". Die PVD-Beschichtung wird verwendet, um Uhren haltbarer zu machen, ihre Widerstandsfähigkeit zu erhöhen und ihr Aussehen attraktiver zu gestalten.
During the vacuum coating process, very fine layers of hard materials are applied to the base material in the form of steam, so that a comprehensive lacquer layer is formed. The complete powder coating process must take place in a vacuum chamber to prevent a reaction between steam and air. Coating thicknesses start in the nanometer range. However, layers of up to a few micrometers can be built up by repeating the process several times.
Der große Vorteil des Vakuumbeschichtungsverfahrens besteht darin, dass das zerstäubte Material keine chemischen Reaktionen mit der Oberfläche eingeht. Die Haftung erfolgt ausschließlich durch den Prozess.
The conventional PVD process results in a strong black surface. Black watches are therefore usually treated by the PVD process and can be recognized distinctly. In addition to the conventional coating with the black material, there is also the PVD gilding. In this case, a thin layer of metal is also evaporated and applied to the watch. This has the resulting effect of not a black surface; instead, a golden or red-golden varnish is created.
PVD gilding uses identical processes to those used for conventional PVD coating. The difference is that no lead or graphite is sprayed on, but rather gold particles.
Sapphire crystal glass
All unsere Uhren sind mit einem kratzfesten Saphirglas ausgestattet. Viel kratzfester als Mineralglas, das oft in gewöhnlichen Uhren verwendet wird. Saphirglas kann durch den täglichen Gebrauch nicht zerkratzt werden. Wenn es nur um die offensichtlichen Vorteile ginge, würden alle Uhrenhersteller Saphirglas wählen. Aber die meisten Hersteller tun dies nicht wegen der hohen Kosten.