During the event they stated there was a pvd coating on the titanium for the pros but I’m wondering if that includes the natural titanium. I’m leaning toward that color now but not if it’s going to scratch easier than the other colors.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other PVD coating on natural titanium?
- Thread starter mjpearce023
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The titanium colours of the white vs. natural are subtly different, so one of them surely has some sort of treatment.
No coating on the "natural titanium" color. I remember them specifically calling it raw titanium in the keynote.
Are there any vids with the Ultra next to the Natural Titanium? I suspect they will be nearly the same.
Wiki gives a basic definition. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_vapor_deposition
Another general article https://www.semicore.com/what-is-pvd-coating
Specifically in terms of titanium, it’s hard to say much specifically about the coatings in the iPhones because I’m sure Apple has a process and had to go through a lot to find coatings that were attractive and durable. And the right thickness. Too thick and you can introduce flaws that lead to fractures on a microscopic level if I understand correctly one article I read.
Even on titanium there would be different kinds of PVD coatings and materials used for different purposes. Like there would be anti microbial coatings for medical applications. And then with titanium jewelry there would be coatings to add color. On drill bits PVD coatings would keep the metal from wearing down as fast in active use.
I’m not super knowledgeable about any of this, but that’s what little I remember from doing a little research this morning because I had the same question you did. And I’m sick so I am bored and had time to look it up. 😆
Wouldn’t it scratch easier than the ones with pvd coating? Or are you thinking it will be easier to buff out scratches like on the SS?
The ultra has more of powder coating where the 15 pro has a brushed finish like the series 7 titanium Apple Watch. I just remember seeing complaints about the natural titanium Apple Watches scratching easily where as the black wasn’t as bad but the black titanium had DLC instead of PVD.
I don’t know much about the process but from experience with Apple Watches the PVD coating seems to help alot with scratches. I had a gold series 4 Ss and a graphite SS series 6 and both looked pretty much brand new after 2 years of daily use. My silver Ss Watch I have now with no pvd coating looks terrible after 2 months and I have to polish with never dull to get it looking good again. I’m worried the natural titanium could be a scratch magnet.
I would bet the raw titanium has a clear PVD to help protect, just a guess tho.
yeah i already looked it up but didn’t understand it. that’s why i was hoping someone could explain.
but if it is just a simply layer/coat/plating it will chip and scratch to reveal missing color underneath, and therefore a no-go for me
My ultra is completely scratch free after one year and looks pristine. I’m pretty sure there’s no PVD coating on it.
Yep it’s a layer. So it is possible to gouge deep enough to reveal the uncolored layer. What’s not clear to me, anyway, is how strong the layer is. The layer on a PVD coated titanium drill bit is really durable.
I went and checked out some discussion on titanium watches (non Apple) and there is allegedly some wear and tear on a titanium watch band that were colored black by the PVD process. I say allegedly because there is some question if the person posting is accurately representing what kind of band he has. Other people said their colored titanium watches were durable but do show wear over time.
Some jewelry site had this “The color, once deposited, stays bonded to the titanium, and does not flake or wear off. ”
I know for a fact that pvd watches reveal color because of stainless steel. I am sure titanium would not scratch, but if you lose a chunk of the metal then might unleash raw color. But that is true even for silver alu iphones - i dropped all my silver iphones and metal under is much whiter than the outer color.
I know for a fact that pvd watches reveal color because of stainless steel. I am sure titanium would not scratch, but if you lose a chunk of the metal then might unleash raw color. But that is true even for silver alu iphones - i dropped all my silver iphones and metal under is much whiter than the outer color.
This seems to be a great explanation.
alcadyne.com
What Is PVD Coating | Physical Vapor Deposition | Alcadyne
PVD Coating, or Physical Vapor Deposition, is a vacuum deposition process used to protect surfaces from wear, friction, harsh chemicals, and heat.
alcadyne.com
wasn't this the something with the apple watch?
didn't they offer a black titanium at one point with PVD coating weren't people complaining of color coming off?
or am i mistaken.
It will be like the watch ultra. The ultra watch is a horse. Really hard to scratch that thing. Besides the majority of people will put a case on it.
Sorry, can't opine about apple watches since i am not tracking them - my main experience was mainly with regular watches losing their pvd black coating. With regular watch the color comes off and it looks like heavily used Streamlight stylus pro flashlight from amazon pics.
Yep, companies ruin Rolexes and other fine watches by having them PVD'd... it will never last long term on a watch that gets hit all the time. Won't last forever on a phone either, but PVD is miles better than any other coating...
Do you happened to own a Rolex watch yourself? All my 3 watches still look in a great conditions. Bought them 2015/2016. They’ve been on vacation/trips/beach/pool/BBQ/fishing. Run a business. I have kids. I don’t baby my Rolex watches. Still look good. I’ve gotten offered top money for them pre-owned. They have battle scars and memories of trips.