Double AR coatings on Sapphire

[davidsenjpn]

Lately I have lots of reqeusts on double AR coating on the sapphire.

Can someone explain to me what does "Double " Ar coating mean??

2 sides coating on a Sapphire crystal?

Or 2 layers coating on a sapphire?

Any input will be much appreciated.

 

[Niko]

My understanding is that 'double AR coating' means that both the inside and outer surfaces of the crystal are coated.

N.

 

[Chicken Manny]

Yep, some makers have double sided AR. Breitling AR's their crystals from within an inch of their lives.

I have mixed feelings about double sided AR but it does make for a different look. My first gen Breitling's AR shocked me!

 

[davidsenjpn]

@niko

Thank you for your feedbeek.

It does not make sense to put an outer side AR coating on top of the sapphire.Since
these coating will get sctatches easily during daily wear.

What is the rationale behind it?

Is there any Gen Panny watch have this kind of feature?

 

[tomriddle]

I think the reason people have been asking about double AR coating is because it "appears" clearer.

You're right, as others have said the top AR layer does get scratched so I don't know either.

But hey, it seems to be popular.

 

[Niko]

Is there any Gen Panny watch have this kind of feature?

Post 2001, all genuine D, E, F, G, and H series Panerai models have a single layer of AR coating on the inside of the sapphire crystal, except for those few models that have acrylic crystal.

N.

 

[kruzer00]

So just to summarize: no gen PAM's come with double sided AR. Earlier ones typically have no AR and later models have inside only.

 

[andreww]

Double AR can be a pain, but it is also a huge "tell" when it comes to watches like the Planet Ocean or the entire Breitling catalogue.

 

[seanf]

Double AR can be a pain, but it is also a huge "tell" when it comes to watches like the Planet Ocean or the entire Breitling catalogue.

Andreww is right about this being a tell. I went into an Omeeeega AD this weekend and tried on the Planet Ocean. Just wanted to see how it compared to my own PO rep. In fit, finish, weight, and quality, the gen was virtually indistinguishable from my rep (with the exception of a slightly better pearl on the gen). But the one thing that was different and noticable was that my rep has no AR. Didn't think it was a big deal until I saw the gen. With the gen, it looks like there isn't a crystal there.

 

[hooligan]

My Damasko DC57 has double AR. I've worn it a TON since I got it, I haven't scratched the outside AR, yet. *shrug*

 

[Yannou]

Confirm that with a good AR and lume many reps would be much better than gen...
I saw yesterday in an AD some Breitlings and the only difference is the AR...and pearl

 

[iluvspl]

Yeah i think double AR if the gen has it is the biggest tell for a rep. You can, in well lit areas, spot it from several feet away. I think if for people offered the service people would line up. When Chieftang does his runs the list fills up extremly quickly.

 

[andreww]

My Damasko DC57 has double AR. I've worn it a TON since I got it, I haven't scratched the outside AR, yet. *shrug*

I'm not saying that AR scratches easily, it's actually pretty durable. I gripe with it is that it seems to magnify every smudge that you get on it. Oily fingerprints take forever to completely wipe off.

If anyone has ever owned a pair of Vaurnet sunglasses, you will know what I am talking about 8)

 

[seanf]

How difficult/expensive is it to do AR coating after the fact? I'd be interested in doing it for my PO, but not if it's going to cost as much as the friggin' watch.

 

[iluvspl]

I know CHieftang charges $40 for the crystal to be double AR coated but it has to be removed before he gets it. Very reasonable for a mod that makes such a big difference.

 

[hooligan]

Yeah, that was directed at Davidsen's comment, not at you andreww.

I would expect that the scratch resistance might vary a great deal depending on the specific AR coating and the process of having it applied. If Davidsen thinks his AR would scratch easily if put on the outside of the crystal, I'll take his word for it. :wink:

 

[daytona4me]

A typical high grade pair of sunglasses would have several layers to them usually in the following order:

Mirror Coating-Scratch Resistant Coating-Polarizing Film-Lens-Anti-Reflective Coating.

The problem here is that Gen manufacturers will perform the double ar correctly by applying it on both sides of the lens but between layers as apposed to the replica way which would be simply to apply on both sides of a one layer lens.

Cheiftang is probably making them correctly or close to the high quality lenses as I outlined above.

 

[vaccum]

Good quality AR is a must....some rep AR coated crystals will scratch if you touch it with your fingers :shock:

 

[davidsenjpn]

What puzzeld me most is that several members asked me if my Panny watches have double AR coatings
on the sapphire.Since all my sapphire have AR coating inside only and we never put any protective layer
on top of it.Somtimes my fingers or nail touch it and make scatches on it easily.Then i have to send
these back to supplier to take off the coating and re make a new AR coating on it.

If factory or manufacturers put a very strong and protective layer on top of the AR coating.That will be a very good feature indeed.

Thank you for all your inputs.

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

Please do NOT offer this on your Panerais. It's incorrect to have double-sided A/R.