Where functionality defines design and every little detail serves to highlight the innovative technology at play, this is where Sinn Spezialuhren is at work. Since its establishment in 1961, the company has continuously focused on high-quality mechanical watches combining a traditional sense of quality with advanced solutions. This has repeatedly resulted in the use of totally new watchmaking materials. In 1995, we presented the first watch made from 22-carat yellow gold with a material hardness equal to that of stainless steel (220 HV). In 2005, German Submarine Steel was used for the first time in diving watches. The launch of our 100-piece limited-edition 1800 S DAMASZENER in 2016 marked the first-time rendering of the highly traditional material to make it suitable for watch cases. Also limited to 100 pieces, our 1800 DAMASZENER made from genuine forge-welded Damascus steel perfectly follows on from this tradition.
The watch thus displays a uniqueness that is immediately reflected in its design and appearance. For in order to perfectly enhance the characteristic texture of Damascus steel – an organic pattern of alternating bands of light and dark – the one-piece dial and central part of the case is forged from a complete steel block rather than designed as separate components, as is customary. The result is rather remarkable: for the Damascus pattern on the dial continues across the entire case to create a fascinating and impressive whole. Thanks to the use of TEGIMENT Technology, we have succeeded in making the case especially scratch-resistant. Damascus steel has fascinated humankind for centuries. It gained its legendary reputation in the making of swords, knives and blades. Damascus steel is a combination of at least two different types of steel, layered to create the aforesaid surface design.
The traditional art of making Damascus steel is very elaborate and portrays an unique combination of craftsmanship and application. During production, the different types of steel are layered and forge-welded together. The piece is then forged, halved while in a glowing state and layered together again. Experts refer to this as ‘folding’. By combining soft and hard steels, a new kind of steel is created, one which displays properties of both. In the final stage of production, the Damascus pattern is made visible through surface etching. The steels are dissolved to varying extents by acid, thus forming the typical light and dark nuances.
The layered structure of the 1800 DAMASZENER is also made visible through final surface etching, which gives the material its characteristic appearance. Every single 1800 DAMASZENER thus becomes an extraordinary and unique timepiece, as the flow of lines cannot be physically manipulated.
Other special features include the crown and the bow and pin buckle made from this combination of high-grade stainless steels.
In this respect, it is important to know that the use of Damascus steel in the making of watch cases is particularly challenging with regard to corrosion resistance. In order to find a professional solution for the 1800 DAMASZENER, two types of high-grade stainless steel – each of which can also be used individually as implant steel – are forge-welded together. The production of such high-grade compound steels requires the use of the latest raw materials, which is evident in the unparalleled anticorrosive quality of the finished steels. Our long-established partner BALBACHDAMAST guarantees the quality craftsmanship and precision of this watch. The specialists at BALBACHDAMAST have continually developed and perfected this forging technique, which is over 2,000 years old, allowing us to proudly present the perfect Damascus steel watch.
