Folded/Hammered Damascus Steel Watch Cases

[GrapeJam]

Hey guys,

After taking a photo of my GMT II beside my Japanese folded Damascus steel cooking knife it really got me thinking; why have none of the major brands tried to implement this into their designs? at least none of them have to my knowledge. I'm sure that while it probably wouldn't be easy, it can be done. It would give the watch a really interesting look, it would be similar to forged carbon in the sense that each case would be unique. For instance, even if just the midlinks on the GMT below were done in folded Damascus steel could you see yourself buying it?

Sometimes Japanese blades feature a hammered effect as well as the wave patterns you get from the folded steel. The hammering creates these three dimensional looking grooves in the steel which have the appearance of being quite deep but feel shallow as you run your finger over the blade. It could really add some complexity to a watch especially a more masculine watch such as a PAM or AP. Below are a few examples

 

[Raddave]

That would really be something wouldnt it ?


I think the major problem with damascus is its tendecy to rust with out some kind of coating (oil or clear)

I dont know if anyone could produce a stainless damascus.

Not too sure about the rolex, but i would definitely go for a damascus Seiko !

 

[Raddave]

Theres a guy on WUS who makes Damascus dials, they are almost as cool as meteorite dials, and you know how i love meteors!

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f77/damascus-steel-dial-project-1355457.html

 

[Raddave]

After lookin into it, i guess another problem (production problem) with Damascus is it needs to be cut or machined into the desired shape, i cannot be stamped or punched.

Well it could be stamped but it will loose all the layering definitions as they will be pressed together and no longer be visable.

 

[blueradish]

Yes, damascus is ridiculously hard. I made some damascus buckles and the machine shop could not cut thru the billet with a laser cutter. They eventually move to water jet, but they told me bending the tang was damn near impossible.

This guy makes damascus watch, plus H2O is coming out with one soon.

http://www.goswatches.com/index.php...category&layout=blog&id=99&Itemid=975&lang=en

H20

 

[GrapeJam]

Wow, nice findings. It really makes the watch look very exotic.

I would have thought a brand like AP, Richard Mille or Roger Dubuis would have picked it up because they're always trying to push the envelope with exotic materials.

I would have thought that the passion and effort that goes into making and shaping the steel for the Japanese knives would make an interesting selling point for the high-end watchmakers

 

[GrapeJam]

Theres a guy on WUS who makes Damascus dials, they are almost as cool as meteorite dials, and you know how i love meteors!

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f77/damascus-steel-dial-project-1355457.html

Yeah even something a little simpler like a dial would be pretty special