What does “DLC / PVD” mean?

DLC stands for diamond-like carbon and PVD for physical vapour deposition. Both are ways of applying a thin, hard coating to a watch case or bracelet, usually to make it black or another dark colour. DLC is generally considered the more scratch-resistant of the two, while PVD is a broader term for a family of coating processes that can produce many different colours.

Coatings matter when buying because they can wear through at edges and high points, revealing the metal underneath, and they cannot simply be polished out like steel. Refinishing usually means stripping and recoating, which may only be possible through the brand. Dealers therefore look closely at the edges of the case, the bezel and the clasp in photos. Aftermarket coating is also a common modification, so a dark version of a model that the brand never made in that finish should be treated as modified, not original.

Typical listing: “Tudor Black Bay with factory PVD case, light wear on the bezel edge, no exposed steel.” If a coating is aftermarket, it should be disclosed.