Overview
ISO 16253:2017 - Watch-cases and accessories - Vapour phase deposited coatings - specifies general requirements and test methods for hard coatings applied by vapour phase deposition (PVD/CVD) on watch-cases and accessories. The standard focuses on improving surface appearance, wear and corrosion resistance, and offering protection against contact allergy (e.g., nickel release). It is intended for manufacturers, suppliers and testing laboratories involved in coated horological components.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to vapour phase deposited coatings on watch-cases and accessories (physical vapour deposition - PVD, chemical vapour deposition - CVD, ion plating, sputtering).
- Appearance: Visual inspection rules and acceptance criteria (Annex A) - coating must be free from peeling, irregular colour, cracks, pits or exposure of base material.
- Thickness: Measurement methods per ISO 3160-2 or agreed test methods; thickness specified by customer/supplier agreement.
- Adhesion: Adhesion testing using standard methods (ISO 3160‑2, ISO 27874, ISO 2819) or scratch test (Annex C); coating must show no peeling/blistering.
- Corrosion resistance: Tests selectable from ISO 9227 (salt spray), ISO 3160-2 (synthetic perspiration/porosity) and other agreed methods.
- Hardness: Vickers, Knoop or nanoindentation tests with indentation depth ~10% of coating thickness to avoid substrate influence.
- Wear resistance and colour: Wear tests (including simulation tests per EN 12472) and colour measurement before/after wear; acceptance criteria set by agreement.
- Nickel release: Where nickel is present, apply EN 1811 and EN 12472 testing to assess release under wear/corrosion.
- Identification & marking: Recommendations to identify base material, processes and coatings (Annex B) and marking rules; compliance required with ISO 3160‑1 for gold alloy coverings.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: Watch and accessory manufacturers, plating/coating service providers, QA/QC engineers, test laboratories, product designers and compliance officers.
- Why it matters: Ensures consistent quality of decorative and protective hard coatings, reduces risk of premature wear or corrosion, supports consumer protection (allergy-safe finishes), and provides agreed test methods for supplier–customer contracts.
- Use cases: Specifying PVD/CVD coatings for premium watch cases, validating adhesion and wear resistance for daily-use accessories, documenting coating thickness/color for marketing and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 3160-1 / ISO 3160-2 - Gold alloy coverings (thickness, fineness, corrosion, adhesion)
- ISO 9227 - Salt spray corrosion testing
- EN 1811 - Nickel release reference test
- EN 12472 - Simulation of wear and corrosion for nickel release detection
- ISO 2819, ISO 23160, ISO 27874 - Additional coating and test method references
Keywords: ISO 16253:2017, vapour phase deposited coatings, PVD, CVD, watch-cases, coatings, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, adhesion, nickel release, thickness measurement.