Watch Information

• Materials
• Plating
• Precious Stones
• Batteries

Materials

Steel

Skagen Designs uses stainless steel materials–an alloy compound that is 'nickel safe', not nickel free. Skagen manufacturers are held to the EU standard of 0.5ug. S/S mesh band (316 and 304). Note that ion plating does not contain any nickel during the production process.
 
Stainless steel material is well known for its long lasting durability and non-corrosive properties and it is used across many industries

Titanium

Skagen’s titanium line of watches use titanium for the watch case and link bands.  Generally, Skagen uses commercially pure titanium (Grade TA2) due to its special look and feel.  Titanium is hypoallergenic and highly corrosion resistant.  Some titanium line watches are plated in order to provide a color other than gun-metal gray.  All have the strength and light weight of titanium and are nickel safe.

Luminous Material

Skagen Denmark uses an industry standard luminous material on some models which can last up to 30 minutes. The luminous appears white inlayed in hands and indexes and glows in green when activated. The luminous material needs to absorb natural or artificial light for a period of time in order to activate it, then gives off light at a rate lower than that of the absorbed light source. Many Skagen Denmark models use luminous indexes and hands to provide enhanced readability at night or in dark spaces.

Ion Plating

In line with our mission to designing unique, yet attainable products, we incorporate distinctive color offerings into our watches, and we do so with an extremely reliable and established process called ion plating (referred to as IP in our marketing materials). Ion plating is one of the most advanced surface finishing processes for watches. In older, more traditional methods the coating on the surface of the case or straps can be rubbed off easily. Ion plating is made by the formation of chemical gases which leads to more durability, more wear resistance, and can also offer better color. Using different gas will form different colors:

The longevity of ion plating as abrasion tests have proven:

• The Abrasion test for IP Brown, Gold, Grey and Gun metal can pass 48 hours; the industry assumes this equivalent with color lasting 2 years; after two years, the plating will not simply come off; the watch will start to suffer discoloration daily (you will start seeing the silver from underneath).

• The Abrasion test for IP Black and Rose gold passes 24 hours; the industry assumes this is equivalent with color lasting one year.

Skagen Denmark offers the most advanced means for color-plated watches, allowing us to offer our customers the highest level of value when purchasing a Skagen watch.

Precious and Non-Precious Stones

Skagen Denmark watches use only the highest quality of crystals on the dial and bezel of the watch. By partnering with Swarovski, Skagen Denmark is elevating the brand with authenticity and integrity by using Made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements. Our contract reference number is 115 1156. CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements can be placed on the dial by a very strong glue, or setting (prong or seat). The size of the stone varies from .90-1.10mm.

Diamonds All Diamonds from Skagen Denmark are certified single cut round diamonds, SI1-2, H-I or VVS 1-2. These diamonds offer luxury and value at an affordable price point.
Clarity All gem diamonds can receive a clarity rating based on the industry standard scale: FL (flawless_-I3 (heavily included). Diamond clarity is the quality of diamonds relating to the number of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions and surface defects called blemishes. Inclusions include: clouds, feathers, included crystals or minerals, knots cavities, cleavage, bearding, and internal graining. Blemishes include: polish lines, grain boundaries, naturals, scratches, nicks, pits and chips.
Carat Carat weight varies between 0.0095 and 0.057 depending on the model.
Cut Cut refers to the facet proportions on the surface of a diamond. More than any other factor, the precision of these facets determines the beauty of the stone. All Skagen diamonds are round, single cut.
Color The color tinting found in most diamonds is caused by minute impurities within the stone. The untrained eye is incapable of making the color evaluations that can affect the value of a stone. Skagen uses H-I, near colorless, diamonds.
Settings Three different types of settings are used for diamonds placed on the dial: prong, UP and round chrome.

Batteries

Watch batteries are compact, and have a long life; they are usually single cell with the voltage between 1.5 and 3 V. Skagen Denmark watches use silver oxide batteries which are considered to be a good quality battery in the watch industry, as well as posing little to no health or environmental risk when disposed. Starting in 2009, almost all batteries used in Skagen Denmark watches will be mercury free. The battery life of Skagen Denmark watches varies from 2-10 years; the average battery life for Skagen watches is 4 years. There are several factors involving the battery life of a watch - Swiss made quartz movement watches have a longer battery life when compared to watches with more complicated functions. For example, a watch with a 2-hand movement will have a longer battery life when compared to a watch with a multi-function, so the more functions a watch offers the shorter the battery life will be. Skagen Denmark uses highly reputable battery brands including Sony, Energizer and Maxell.