High quality only in combination with TEGIMENT Technology.

At SINN, the hard material coatings used are primarily DLC coatings or comparable coatings of similar quality, which can be classified as equivalent or superior in terms of abrasive wear resistance and decorative appearance. We apply hard material coatings exclusively to TEGIMENT surfaces. Only in this combination can the high quality of our decorative color coatings be achieved.

Schematic diagram showing the hard coating on a surface hardened with TEGIMENT Technology

The hardness profile of TEGIMENT is continuous, meaning that the high surface hardness gradually transitions into the base hardness of the material. This makes it possible to apply a hard material coating without the risk of the otherwise common flaking of the color coating from the case body.

By way of explanation: Color coatings, such as DLC coatings, are extremely hard. Due to the large and abrupt hardness difference between the hard coating and the base material, these tend to break under stress because the hard shell (DLC color coating) lies directly on a very soft core (case material). The base material yields under localized stress and cannot adequately support the outer layer. This is called the “eggshell effect.” The hardness of the TEGIMENT surface, on the other hand, supports the hard coating. As a result, the eggshell effect is prevented, and wear of the color coating is drastically reduced.

Even though the applied color coating has extraordinary hardness, it can still be damaged when it comes into contact with harder materials. This corresponds to the current state of the art and therefore cannot be avoided. In contrast to a material that is colored throughout, a color coating remains, under certain circumstances, always vulnerable.