Horological Meandering

I just received a Damasko DK10 yesterday. Damasko is a small German watch manufacturer who specializes in "tool watches" whose historic roots are in case manufacture, but has grown from being an Etablisseur to complete Manufacture over the years, launching their own movements in 2010. It is a 42.0 mm diameter (43.8 mm bezel) x 14.2 mm deep aviator style tool watch with 22 mm lugs that sits comfortably on my 7-1/4" (184 mm) wrist. The watch has a screw down crown with 100-meter water resistance so it is suitable for swimming.  The case, bezel, crown and bracelet are bead blasted, "ice hardened" stainless steel hardened to 710 HV. The bi-directional, black, 60-minute bezel insert is also "ice hardened" stainless steel but is coated with a black DLC they call "DAMEST" that is hardened to 2,500 HV. The bezel also has a luminous bi-light marker. The two-way bezel has a wonderfully positive tactile feel for each position. 

The sapphire crystal is coated on both sides with an anti-reflective coating. The watch also features a sapphire display case back to show of its movement. The dial is matte black, with white gloss roman numbers and chapter ring. The hour hand, minute hand and hour markers in the chapter ring are luminous coated with C1 luminova.  I would describe it as descent lume, with more focus on the pure white day light viewing as with most aviators. The day, date complication is located at 9 o'clock. The second hand is bright red and is not luminous. Overall, it has a clear, functional aesthetic that one would expect in a German aviator watch. The watch normally has a matching luminous red bi-light in the bezel, but I chose a quieter luminous white bi-light. The hardened bracelet is unusual with each link with T6 torx fasteners vs. screws or pins showing. There is a hidden, two-way clasp with a positive closure feature. There is no micro-adjust, but given the short link length and modular construction can be adjusted for comfort for most wearers. It is definitely "engineering geek" cool!

Inside, the A35-1 movement is manufactured in-house by Damasko. It has been in production for about 7-years now. It is an 28,800 vph, automatic movement with 52 hour power reserve. For a watch at this price point, it incorporates some amazing features. The rotor incorporates ceramic ball bearings and has a novel winding gear train. At its heart it has a high-tech silicon escapement and novel silicon balance spring. The decoration is what I would describe as "functional nice". Somewhere between a factory calibre and a "haute" piece.  Some of the bridge plates and PVD finished rotor are finished with Cotes de Geneve and other bridge plates are decorated with perlage.  Some of the screws blued as well. More of an engineers movement than "haute", but way cool for a watch at this price point.

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