Many thanks for the clarification however...

Apr 07, 2021,18:05 PM
 

IWC website is very misleading to put it politely: 


“ The latest innovative material from Schaffhausen is Ceratanium® (ceramized titanium). The new material is as light and tough as titanium but at the same time as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Ceratanium® is based on a special titanium alloy that is made specifically for IWC. All the components in the case are milled, turned and drilled from the blank. It then goes into the oven for sintering. During this process, a phase transformation takes place, and the surface of the metal is ceramized. The process gives it not only the properties typical of ceramics, such as extreme hardness, but also its striking, matte black colour. Unlike a DLC coating, for example, the surface is inseparably bonded with the material. It cannot, therefore, come loose or chip off if the watch bangs against something. For the first time, Ceratanium® makes it possible to manufacture components such as push-buttons or the pin buckle in a jet black design without coating.”

This reminds me of Panerai ill-fated composite material!

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Calling IWC ceratanium watch owners...

 
 By: Fat Bastard : April 7th, 2021-06:30
Dear all, I had a pretty nasty experience with my Tribute to 3705. During a strap change made by the IWC sales rep, the back of the case was scratched by the spring bar. The IWC staff insisted that it’s not a scratch by a deposit of steel.... They failed ... 

Your ceratanium watch endured a deposit of steel... that is creative

 
 By: VinnieD : April 7th, 2021-06:58
"Sir, you car is not scratched the bodywork underwent some artistic remodelling" I say: stick to steel

What color metal has the scratch revealed?

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : April 7th, 2021-07:01

Grey/steel colour

 
 By: Fat Bastard : April 7th, 2021-07:08

Figures!

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : April 7th, 2021-07:33

What do you mean dear?

 
 By: Fat Bastard : April 7th, 2021-07:55

IWC has claimed that Ceratanium is some new alloy they created...

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : April 7th, 2021-10:26
Personally and without confirmation, I thought it was ceramic coated titanium because ceramic coating has existed for a while. The fact that you see gray metal under the black confirms that but who really knows?

IWC

 
 By: Sweat dream : April 7th, 2021-07:13
Surprise surprise. Totally unacceptable for a manufacturer

Back lug indeed!

 
 By: Fat Bastard : April 7th, 2021-08:41

Ceratanium is actually blasting the titanium under a very high temperature!

 
 By: Makilla : April 7th, 2021-15:08
The blasting effect under severe temperature results in a dark grey almost black color. It’s not a plating like PVD/DLC nor as hard as ceramic. They presume that it’s as light as titanium while being tough like ceramic but in fact it’s not. It will still ... 

Many thanks for the clarification however...

 
 By: Fat Bastard : April 7th, 2021-18:05
IWC website is very misleading to put it politely: “ The latest innovative material from Schaffhausen is Ceratanium® (ceramized titanium). The new material is as light and tough as titanium but at the same time as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Ce... 

Reality

 
 By: Sweat dream : April 8th, 2021-01:37
IWC is the new ENRON

Pls.ellaborate

 
 By: @lberti : April 21st, 2021-14:29
What has wic with enron or north korea? Your wording surprises me a little bit. Not in a nice way i must say

What is interesting in this description...

 
 By: eklektik : April 8th, 2021-04:23
.... is that there is no addition to the titanium. It is simply a surface heat treatment of a titanium part... Not much new here I am afraid, some basic surface tempering, some old yet efficient metallurgy techniques to harden a metal. Best, E.

Exactly! It’s part of their marketing strategy!

 
 By: Makilla : April 8th, 2021-10:28
Especially when they tell you: a special titanium alloy made specifically for IWC! That’s funny coz I’m 100% sure it’s the classic grade 5 titanium alloy but with the heat process they will harden the surface and make more scratch/wear resistant. Natural ... 

IWC new material

 
 By: Sweat dream : April 8th, 2021-12:03
The sing of the century

A real sting

 
 By: Sweat dream : April 8th, 2021-13:30
What’s the next step with IWC?

Big Pilot Ceramic “scratch” story

 
 By: roundel : April 11th, 2021-11:27
My Big Pilot Miramar ceramic case had a “scratch” on the side of the case. Upon inspection I became convinced that it was a deposit instead of a gouge. I tried lots of techniques but finally found that automotive paint rubbing compound and lots of elbow g...