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Style Debate: The Black Ion Plated Watch

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The Best Affordable Black Ion Plated Watches

First… what the hell does ion-plated mean anyway?  Turns out it’s a way to apply this easily recognizable finish to the metal of a stainless steel watch.  It’s supposed to wear better, be more durable, and give off that distinct “none more black” look.  From the oh so reliable wikipedia:

Ion plating is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process that is sometimes called ion assisted deposition (IAD) or ion vapor deposition (IVD) and is a version of vacuum deposition.   Ion plating utilizes concurrent or periodic bombardment of the substrate and depositing film by atomic-sized energetic particles.

(Rubs eyes)… so basically elves come in with these magic particle guns and shoot a watch with beams of pure magic.  Sometimes they grab another device (looks a bit like a caulking gun) and shoot some more stuff on it.  And it ends up looking like the following watches.  But do they look good? More on that later.
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Seiko SNN233 – $216.00 (reg. $278.00)
Would be at home on an aircraft instrument panel

Quartz and thus, at over $200, won’t satisfy the auto enthusiasts, but nails all the details.  Perfectly spaced links, flight dial details on the face, and has a case that pushes too big at almost 43mm.  Can be had for much cheaper via Amazon, but as of now it’s not fulfilled by Amazon or sold direct by them either.

 

Citizen AT0815-51E – $262.50
Where? The beef is here.

A little thick in the britches.  Just like the heavy kid in your 5th grade gym class.  Look at the pushers for crying out loud.  Quartz?  You bet.  But Eco-drive.  So it’ll never need a battery.  Just the sun.  Big as all get out 45mm with some nasty sharp hands.  Word is it has some shine to it and isn’t matte.

 

Seiko SNZJ67 – $174.45 (reg. $275ish)
As good as it gets for under $200

There’s not a damn thing wrong with the proportions, look, layout, or feel of this watch as it sits on your wrist.  Not necessarily ion plated, but the regular stainless versions look incredible.  Seiko 5 auto movement.

 

Golana AQ210-2 – $118.92
Rotatin bezel, inexpensive brand.

Golana appears to excel in making Swiss quartz (yes, quartz) affordable sport watches.  Nice digits on the face, thicker hands, and a coin edge bezel.  Just over $100 and sold direct by Amazon.

 

Torogen T10103 Brown Leather Strap – $149.00 ($265)
Ion plated case, leather for the strap.

Just because it’s ion plated doesn’t mean it has to have a stainless band.  Leather strap, flight instrument details, terrific brand.  Quartz but as tough as they come.  (Credit to zirnozz in the comments for finding the lower price)

 

Seiko SNZG57 World Time Watch – $159.03
Can tell you the time... in the middle of nowhere.

Nice blue accents.  The bezel is a world time function that lets you know what time it is in any given location… including… the Azores.  The AZORES.  The number of people who actually need to know what time it is on the Azores (who don’t live there) is probably far less than the total population of Sheboygan.  If you’re in the business of negotiating international treaties at locations that are beyond remote?  This is your watch apparently.

 

Citizen Canvas Strap BM8475 – $123.75
Powered by eco drive

The total wildcard.  Not a stainless or leather band, but instead canvas.  Deceptively large case.  Big fat hands.  Greenish dial.  A solid casual wear anywhere watch.

Your thoughts on the standard stainless-band black ion plated watch?  Too sporty?  Too rugged?  Just not versatile enough?  Or is it a genre that doesn’t get enough respect?  Leave it all in the comments below…

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Comments

  1. I just don’t like black face (blackface? No. Black face) watches, elfin-magic-ion or otherwise. Blue or white face just goes so much better with, well, almost everything I wear. If I wore black–solid black–I might prefer a black face watch; since I almost never do, white or blue get the bullpen call every morning.

  2. Anyone have experience with how long the coatings last? The last time I was at the jeweler getting something for the GF, the owner talked me out of an ion-plated ring.

  3. I agree with OnlyShawn – I personally think a blue or a dark grey face is more versatile than black. But I tend to steer away from black as a neutral in my wardrobe, anyway – I’d much rather go with brown or olive green or grey, especially for an everyday-wear item like a watch.

    As far as black ion-plated bands go, I’ve seen a lot of folks who have problems with the black wearing off, particularly in spots where you happen to make contact with other things a lot (for example, if you type a lot and your wrist rests on your desk). We’re not talking about the kind of contact that would leave scratches on a plain SS band. For some people it happens in as little as a day, though I’m sure that depends on the quality of the materials and application processes. I have a vague memory of my brother owning some kind of black Skagen watch in high school, and the same general thing happening.

    Plus I just can’t think of a time when I’d need a black strap and a nice leather, nylon, or even rubber strap wouldn’t fit the bill.

  9. Personally, I love the look of black watches.  Black, Gunmetal, Silver…everything except a leather band watch.

  10. I personally only own stainless steel  black face watches (2 to be exact) and I’ve never had an issue with coordinating them with any outfit. I just have a collection of straps, from G10, to leather, to Bunds. I feel good walking out with it on. lol.

    That being said, the only PVD watches that I’ve ever wanted was a Pro Hunter Rolex GMT Master II and an Omega Planet Ocean PVD. Will I try to get them in the next year? No but those are the only PVD watches that I would love to wear.

  12. Love the Torgoen, except the logo.  Why do so many watch manufacturers make great looking watches and ruin it with their logo?  If the font was simpler and not italics I would buy that watch in a heartbeat.  As it is, I think it looks cheap.  Am I too shallow?

  15. My baby brother bought the Citizen AT0815 and it is a nice watch, but very black. Although he likes everything black. His couch is black, bookcases are black… surprisingly he doesn’t wear black… other than the watch. 

  16. I think you can get away with a black watch IF, it’s a simple understated watch like the Torogen (a little smaller would be nice).  All the others have that quasi-military look.  The military-look watch has its place, but when combined with the black, makse it seem too overdone for us civilians.