AR Coating Scratches on Seamaster

Posts
7
Likes
2
Someone has the same problem like Adrian? Have been wearing mine for 2 months now and no issue at all. (Or I don’t see those scratches)

 
Posts
203
Likes
58
Yep. Bought my Seamaster 300m new in Jan 2020 and it has some minor scratches in the AR coating. I thought I was the only one with this issue on the newer Seamaster. I don’t recall having done anything overly rough with it also, so I’m not sure how they got there. I guess that’s the scary part.
 
Posts
1,046
Likes
5,442
Has anyone done an AR removal with polywatch? Wonder if that voids warranty...? Would love to see results.
 
Posts
241
Likes
278
I saw this video and immediately checked my seamster 300m. I don't find any scratches and I've had it for 18 months. So maybe it was just his.
 
Posts
298
Likes
518
I can't understand why any watch manufacturer would put AR coating on the outside, especially if it's on the inside.
 
Posts
9,733
Likes
54,422
I can't understand why any watch manufacturer would put AR coating on the outside, especially if it's on the inside.
To encourage the purchase of expensive replacement sapphire crystals?
 
Posts
29,669
Likes
76,826
I can't understand why any watch manufacturer would put AR coating on the outside, especially if it's on the inside.

To encourage the purchase of expensive replacement sapphire crystals?

Personally, I prefer it on both sides, as do many others. When it works, it works very well, and the crystal just disappears.

Since the outer AR coating can be removed easily in a few minutes, those who don't want it can remove it if they so choose, and crystals don't have to be replaced.
 
Posts
241
Likes
278
I can't understand why any watch manufacturer would put AR coating on the outside, especially if it's on the inside.
I'd have to agree with this. I think having it under the crystal is plenty. Rolex uses none and I have not issue with it.
 
Posts
82
Likes
83
I can't understand why any watch manufacturer would put AR coating on the outside, especially if it's on the inside.

It makes the crystal almost disappear which creates a very nice visual effect, guess that's why. I actually like it and don't have any issues with my Aqua Terra after almost 3 years of ownership. And I am not exactly babying my watch.
 
Posts
17
Likes
27
Is anyone willing to share some pictures of the watch after removing outer AR? Or is it rather "you can remove the AR but no one actually did it"?

I'm personally very afraid of such scratches.
 
Posts
34,259
Likes
38,885
Is anyone willing to share some pictures of the watch after removing outer AR? Or is it rather "you can remove the AR but no one actually did it"?

I'm personally very afraid of such scratches.
It’s definitely been done by many people before it just looks like other non-AR crystals afterwards and loses a bit of that blueish tint.

This thread has an example done by @Taddyangle https://omegaforums.net/threads/remove-ar-coating-from-po.75088/
 
Posts
420
Likes
490
I'd have to agree with this. I think having it under the crystal is plenty. Rolex uses none and I have not issue with it.
Rolex finally started to use AR on the inside recently.
 
Posts
389
Likes
569
Is anyone willing to share some pictures of the watch after removing outer AR? Or is it rather "you can remove the AR but no one actually did it"?

I'm personally very afraid of such scratches.
Here's mine with no outer AR.
 
Posts
17
Likes
27
Before with scratches.

Thanks a milion! This tells me everything, definitely better with AR removed than with scratches. And the watch is still pretty without the outer AR. Did you do it by yourself or you rather had it removed by some professional?
 
Posts
9,733
Likes
54,422
I wonder if it's a problem that is confined to the new 2018 model? I own the previous generation of the SMPc and it also has the AR coating on both sides of the crystal. I've knocked the crystal more than a few times on door frames, chairs, etc. and it still doesn't have a scratch. I think that the AR is pretty tough stuff and is similar to the coating on eyeglass lenses. Perhaps Omega used a different forumula for the coating on the new model? In any event, good to know that it can be removed and the appearance of the crystal restored without having to replace it. Under those circumstances at least one still has the benefit of the inner AR coating.
 
Posts
389
Likes
569
Thanks a milion! This tells me everything, definitely better with AR removed than with scratches. And the watch is still pretty without the outer AR. Did you do it by yourself or you rather had it removed by some professional?
I used a Dremel and Autosol.
Just go for it and don't be scared of it.
Didn't bother masking anything off as the bezel is ceramic anyway.
Good luck.
 
Posts
408
Likes
355
Has anyone done an AR removal with polywatch? Wonder if that voids warranty...? Would love to see results.

It wouldn't void the warranty unless you damage the crystal itself and even then it probably wouldn't. I mention damaging the crystal may (still unlikely) void the warranty since it would take some force and a very sharp object to do so and this may be enough to justify "abuse". Although I doubt Omega would claim this but it's something to consider. Just removing the AR by normal means (diamond paste for instance) would not impact the warranty at all, otherwise simply scratching the case would as well.

In the 2 years as a daily wearer I've put one scratch on the outer AR of my Speedmaster that I can see with the naked eye on the right angle. If it ever gets worse I'll just polish off the AR, not a big deal. That's what I did to my X-33 G2 but that had a known flimsy outer AR coating.
 
Posts
150
Likes
494


This picture is no coating.
I probably scratched it during a lot of regular use ( every day wear, including diving, off-roading, and general play ) and never noticed, but I think I must have gotten something caustic on the AR coating. I saw what were more like... splotches?
Anyway, the tech at the OB rubbed off the coating during a check-up. So that answers the question of whether or not it voids the warranty, I guess.
 
Posts
1,438
Likes
2,213
Before with scratches.

Very interesting. I'm going to have a closer look at mine. I've had a few watches with outer AR-coatings that didn't hold up to even regular wear but hadn't heard of it being an issue with modern Omegas.