Perhaps, it is written somewhere that “what watch manufacturers giveth, Aarons Winters can taketh away”… or at least that is what I thought when I came across his ad for PVD Removal Service on eBay. This service is not something that one sees every day, and it might runย counter to what many consider standard watch modding. Watch customizers change hands, dials, bezels or watch bands regularly, but stripping off a factory-applied coating could be considered next-level modding.
A Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Chrono – Before and after PVD removal. Photo: Aaron Winters
The photos that I initially saw in Aaron’s eBay listing looked like watches that I own, but they had a shocking visual difference. Instead of having the black PVD finish that I expected, these modified watches had a bright silver appearance of stainless steel. I thought that they looked like prototypes of watches that were never sold to the public. I was doubly intrigued because many of the watches that Aaron was selling were made by Victorinox Swiss Army, one of my favorite Swiss watch brands.
The watch on the right has had the PVD removed. Photo: Aaron Winters
What is PVD on a Watch?
PVD application
Before I talk about PVD removal, it might be helpful to define what PVD is. Good old Wikipedia has a lot of basic information and is a great place to start.
Physical vapor deposition (PVD) describes a variety of vacuum deposition methods which can be used to produce thin films and coatings. PVD is characterized by a process in which the material goes from a condensed phase to a vapor phase and then back to a thin film condensed phase. PVD is used in the manufacture of items which require thin films for mechanical, optical, chemical or electronic functions.
While that is the technical definition, many watch collectors can spot a PVD watch by its characteristically black coating instead of a silver stainless steel appearance.
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PVD Watch
PVD coating is different than regular black paint, which can be sprayed or brushed on.
- PVD coatings are extremely thin compared to paint layers and they are incredibly durable.
- PVD coatings are sometimes harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the electroplating process. Most coatings have high temperature and good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary.
I knew I had to find out more about this process so I contacted Aaron Winters, who was very helpful and an interestingย guy. I liked him intstantly. Half the time we did not even talk about this article. Aaron is a serious watch nerd who can discuss anything from rehabing beater watches to specific watches that he is chasing and why they are important to him. Beforfe watches, Aaron modded paintball guns and other things that go boom. I guess that some people were born to tinker.
VSA 1 is the original finish. VSA 2 is in the middle of the PVD removal process. Photo: Aaron Winters
Aaron shared a simple philosophy born from his midwestern United States upbringing. Every man should own a watch. It’s basic equipment, like a belt and a good pair of shoes. Aaron has seriously been into watches for about 6 years now and has a similar journey as many of us watch nerds starting out with a first-generation Seiko Monster and eventually trading up to Breitling and Omega models. Maybe one day he’ll get a Rolex, but that might be a long way off. For now, Aaron is comfortable working his PVD magic on brands like Victorinox who provide a great watch at an attainable price.
PVD was removed from the nearest Dive Master 500. Photo: Aaron Winters
I asked Aaron what he had against PVD watches and he has a strong opinion about them. He believes that they are not as beautiful as finished stainless steel, plus he feels PVD watches are a little anti-social. Perhaps these dark watches try to be more “tacti-cool” than necessary. He bases this on the actual watches he sees military and police personnel wearing, and not necessarily a watch collector’s notion of what a serious tactical professional would wear in the field. I had a feeling that Aaron is on a mission to return black watches back to their base finishes, one piece at a time.
This watch was only sold with PVD so this stripped down version is a custom mod. Photo: Aaron Winters
Aaron was kind enough to send me lots of photos and fill in some of the blanks of the sometimes laborious PVD removal process. I erroneously thought that the process involved sanding, buffing and maybe an Elvish incantation to remove the tough PVD coating. However, there is more to it and it has to do with organic chemistry, which he gained a fascination for in college. Speaking with Aaron made it clear that he’s incredibly smart and loves the scientific method. Unlike many watch modders who use brute force, Aaron uses chemistry to do much of his work. He has spent years experimenting with different processes to remove PVD. Some techniques are more gentle than others and leave less of a fingerprint on the surface of the watch.
The look of this Dive Master 500 is vastly different from the original. Photo: Aaron Winters
The benefit of chemical PVD removal is that it should leave the metal factory finishing intact (polishing and brushing). Comparatively, a physical process like sanding and scraping can alter the surface finishing. I was surprised to hear that Aaron researches the type of coating that is applied to the watch when possible and alters his method based on chemical reactions. Aaron said that not all PVD coatings are made of the same material and different techniques are required to remove the coatings. It is not a perfect science because sometimes best guesses have to be made and PVD coatings that look alike are really made from different materials.
Because the chemical method requires the watch the be sprayed or immersed, it is critical to have a watch that is water resistant with good seals. If in doubt, have your watch pressure tested before sending it. Aaron confirmed that the chemicals and concentrations of those chemicals should not harm gaskets or the lume that is sometimes painted into dive bezels. Without asking Aaron to reveal his trade secrets, I know that the watch is not disassembled as it might be for bead blasting.
I almost bought this watch. I think it is awesome. Photo: Aaron Winters
While this service may not be for everyone, there are many potential reasons that a watch owner might consider removing the PVD from his or her watch:
They want a custom watch that was never produced.
Some watches are only made in one case color… black PVD. Removing this coating reveals the stainless steel or titanium base, and essentiallyย creates a custom watch that the factory never made. It may be the only watch in the world that looks like it and that is as exclusive as you can get.
This is a 1-of-a-kind Dive Master 500 Chrono modified by Aaron. Photo Aaron Winters
The image below shows the incredible difference between stainless steel and PVD coated steel. It’s literally night and day.
Portions of the case back were left alone and show the original PVD. Photo: Aaron Winters
PVD Coating Cannot Easily Be Repaired
If a PVD watch is damaged with gouges or scratches, the PVD coating cannot be easily touched up. Removing the PVD might minimize the appearance of damage because everything would be silver, instead of just the damage seen against the black surface. New finishes such as polished or brushed surfaces can be applied.
Look ma, no PVD. Photo: Aaron Winters
Frankenstein Watches Could be Made to Look Like a Factory Made Watch
Watch modders have been known to cobble watches together from different donor watches. PVD removal could bring all of the parts back to a common material color to make the watch look like it was originally made that way. This opens the possibilty of making new custom watch from various parts.
PVD Removal Service for Wrist Watches
If this sort of watch customization excites you and you are interested in contracting Aaron to refinish your watch, then head over to Aaron Winters’ eBay pageย where you should see a listing for PVD Removal Service. He can fill you in on the details, cost, turn-around time and how the watch should be shipped to him and how you will get it back.
