Damascus steel (or Damaszener Stahl in Germany), is a material watches rarely encountered – however, not unsurprisingly, Sinn added to a turning point but still can not help it. The case of Sinn Model 1800 Damaszener trumpet, and both the central, the largest part of the dial is cut off from the steel as a complete block, rather than from the individual components. This is done to allow Damascus steel unique light pattern of light and dark seamless flow throughout the case and dial. Dial also has 13 applications index which, along with the long, lumed hour and minute hands, should provide sufficient clarity, despite the complex and unique background.
Damascus steel has traditionally been used in the making of swords, knives, and blades and is a forge-welded combination of at least two different types of steel, one softer and one harder – to create a new material that, theoretically, combines the favorable properties of both. The manufacturing process is rather complicated, as one would imagine, but what is actually relevant when it comes to the material’s use in wristwatches is the fact that the steels are dissolved to varying extents by acid to form the typical light and dark nuances.
The problem this creates is related to corrosion, and the material has to be treated so that it is resistant to the elements – presumably the “patina” of damascus steel is not as desirable as that of bronze. Sinn uses a so-called Tegiment Technology along with additional “Black Hard Coating,” to provide protection against corrosion and also to better highlight the patterns of the steel.
The case itself is 43 millimeters wide, boasts 100-meter water resistance, and even the caseback – where the individual 100 piece limited edition number is visible – is in damascus steel as well. Behind it is the ETA 2892-A2 automatic caliber – that reliable workhorse movement running at 4 Hertz for around two days, and that hardly needs any introduction at this point.
The watch will ship with black and brown leather straps, a strap changing tool, and a Sinn loupe – so that you can take a closer look at those grooves of damascus steel. Price for the Sinn Model 1800 S Damaszener watch is $7,360.
