DC86

The Damasko DC86 is made by Damasko Watches of Germany. The watch is made in-house by Damasko. Many in-house technical innovations are found in this fine timepiece alone.

The DC 86 project is based on a patented chronograph development named C51, based on the proven Valjoux 7750. The benchmark for the modification of the caliber 7750 was to significantly increase the readability of the chronograph function. For that reason Damasko put our main focus on the technical realization of a jumping 60-minute stop hand out of the center.

Damasko DC86

Damasko’s new construction has two advantages in terms of readability:

First: 60 minutes are now shown in just one complete turn of the center hand rather than the usual 30 minutes, while the assigned minute scale is counted over the full dial.

Further advantages of this movement modification are the possibilities of adding an independently adjustable second time zone, which can be operated by the crown at 3 o’clock.

The DC86 model signifies a new chronograph line with the most diverse increments of Damasko's new caliber C51. All parts required for the new C 51 caliber, such as plates, wheels, pinions, etc. are produced in-house in Damako's manufactory.  

Three-sub dial layout

The matte black dial of the DC86 displays a utilitarian look with contrasting white hands and markers which provides enhanced visibility within the rather complex dial as it adopts a three-sub dial layout at the 3, 9 and 9 o’clock position. Like the rest of its seemingly overbuilt technical specifications, the night time legibility here is astonishing with the hands and hour markers coated with special long-lasting X1 GL C1 SuperLuminova luminous paint. 

To complement the contrasting white markers on the dial, the watch is paired with a splendid 22mm black 100% cowhide leather strap with matching white stitching that is made in Germany to ensure the highest quality standards. A thin layer of rubber on the underside allows for an incredibly comfortable experience on the wrist. 

The ice-hardened case is now synonymous with Damasko. The C51 movement sits within an anti-magnetic cage resistant up to 1,000 Gauss. The 42mm case uses the Damasko patented bezel system which is CAD/CNC designed and engineered, finished with an extremely abrasion-proof Damest layer resulting in a blacked-out look. Hardened components guarantee that the bezels ratchets will never wear out, or become loose. No other bezel available offers that amount of preciseness and performance even under harshest conditions. 

Damasko proprietary ice-handened case, crown, pushers

The watch case is made in-house by Damasko and features the industry's toughest material yet. The material is called "ice-hardened, nickel-free stainless steel". What is so unique about this steel is that they are absolutely nickel-free, offer a good corrosion resistance, and can be tempered up to 64 HRC/800Vickers which is four times the hardness of every other steel currently used in the watch industry. And this ice-hardened steel is used for the entire case, crown and pushers. In conjunction with the chronograph function, the 60-minute countdown bidirectional hardened bezel measures elapsed time with white contrasting markers. 

Given all the specifications, the watch is just 13.8mm thick. This is quite the contrary to Lemania 5100 powered watches which are usually at least 15-16mm thick due to the thickness of the 5100 movement. The DC 86 is water resistant to 100m with a screw-down crown.

The crown system is also another patent of Damasko. After extensive research Damasko developed a decoupling screw-down crown which is constructed according to standards derived from mechanical engineering. The use of a hex bolt with 2mm width across flats and the fact that the entire crown, including shaft, thread etc. is made from our patented hardened steel (60-62 HRC) results in a longevity which is second to none.

Super Glow In The Dark Performance w/ SuperLuminova C1

Crown and pushers are also equipped with our patented lubrication cell which ensures a smooth action and lubricates the shaft and the gasket. The tubes of both crown and pushers are, according to industrial engineering, screwed into the case using a special key. Almost every other watch manufacturer makes use of an inferior press fit tube.

Yet another Patent found in this watch is the Gasket system. The new gasket system overcomes the common problem of moisture and dust ingress during the operation of the crown and pushers.

Every Damasko watch features an important technical detail which is not visible at first sight but has a major influence on its accuracy under harsh conditions – the anti-magnetic cage. Only very few mechanical pilot’s watches are equipped with this feature.

In short, if you are in the market for a chronograph and appreciate good craftsmanship, the DC86 is one of the few (if not the only) in-house chronograph you can get. Feature packed with specifications like the scratch resistant case, the anti-magnetic properties, inhouse movement with central minute/second chronograph counters and a rotating bezel to sum it up.

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