Damasko DF20 Owner Review : Innovative, robust and adventurous

Under this deliberately provocative title, I present to you my Damasko (*) DF20 Old Radium with a "Top" finish. Given Damasko's DNA, a very technical presentation is in order! Here are its main specifications: Diameter: 39mm Lug to lug: 48mm Thickness: 9.5mm Lug width: 20mm (drilled lugs) Weight without strap: 56 grams Water resistance: 200 meters Steel case (**) Anti-reflective sapphire crystal on both sides Silicon balance spring Manufacture A-26 movement (***) - "TOP" finish "Roby" rubber strap with black top, orange stitching, and orange underside Made to order (approximately 4 weeks lead time) Damasko is a small, family-run watch manufacturer whose philosophy is to offer robust and reliable German watches. Keen to uphold these values, Damasko focuses primarily on research and development, advanced materials engineering, the manufacture of in-house movements, and maximizing internal production (approximately 90%). Investing very little in marketing and with a limited distribution network, this watchmaker remains relatively exclusive (often overshadowed by Sinn) and caters to a discerning clientele. This Field Watch incorporates military design elements with typography reminiscent of the markings on ammunition crates or military vehicles. It boasts exceptional durability with its hardened submarine steel case. The case's robust construction allows for a 200m water resistance rating with a thickness of only 9.5mm! The dial features a layer of Superluminova Old Radium X1C1 beneath it, overlaid with a subdial where the hour markers and Arabic numerals are cut out. This gives real depth to the matte black dial, which features a grained texture in the center and smooth edges. In addition to the logo, the name "Damasko" is painted, along with the inscriptions "Manufaktur Mechanisch" and "Made in Germany." All these elements contribute to its delightfully vintage look. The hour and minute hands are syringe-shaped. After a few days of use, I feel compelled to comment on these. The difference in length is quite slight, making it difficult to distinguish them at a glance. Furthermore, the tips are painted black, rendering them invisible as they don't contrast with the identical dial color. In contrast, the seconds hand stands out perfectly with its orange color and generous length, gently touching the minute track. The logoed but non-screw-down crown and its stem are also made of hardened steel. Furthermore, it features a complex patented system that makes it extremely durable and water-resistant, with permanent lubrication ensuring added robustness. The crown teeth are very sharp, providing excellent grip when winding the A-26 caliber (***). Regarding the strap, several options are available, including a hardened steel bracelet, also manufactured by Damasko (€700 extra). Personally, I chose the "Roby" strap in black rubber with orange stitching and an orange interior, which is very comfortable to wear. Damasko is sometimes criticized for prioritizing readability at the expense of a certain "austerity" in its dials. This time, Damasko breaks with its own established aesthetic with this textured, sandwich dial that I never tire of admiring from every angle. With a much more accessible look, I think this DF20 marks a turning point for the Bavarian brand. Regarding the price, in this configuration, my Damasko DF20 with the "TOP" finish and "Roby" strap is offered at €2,250. The near absence of marketing allows for a larger percentage to be dedicated to the watch's intrinsic value, such as the high quality of the materials and the investment in machinery that facilitates in-house manufacturing. However, this lack of brand recognition means it's not a "status" watch, but rather a brand for discerning connoisseurs. With this Damasko, I feel I've reached a certain level of horological maturity, and I can proudly claim to wear a true in-house manufactured piece ready to compete with more "mainstream" brands. Considering these points, this Damasko DF20 appears to me as the ultimate Field Watch, easily standing up to comparison with a Sinn 856 Tegiment, an IWC Pilot Mark, or a Tudor Ranger. Dialicious might pique the curiosity of you, the reader of this review, and open your eyes to other horizons in watchmaking. If you are passionate about cutting-edge technology, delve into the relatively recent but remarkably rich history of Damasko. Here is a YouTube link that will allow you to better understand the spirit and values of the Damasko manufacture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2OPRdAEmTw&list=WL&index=5 (*) Damasko was founded in 1994 by the German engineer Konrad Damasko. He dedicated himself to researching technological innovations related to watchmaking. The company quickly specialized in the manufacture of extremely resistant steel alloys (underwater hardened steel, "ice-hardened" steel). Damasko manufactured watch cases for Sinn until 2002 before accelerating the development of its own movements. Today, Damasko is a benchmark in the field of watchmaking technological innovation, with around a hundred other patents filed (ceramic micro-ball bearings, silicon balance springs (since 2008), patented EPS balance spring, patented push-button system, etc.). They are also one of the few manufacturers currently offering chronographs with a central minute counter. (**) Underwater-hardened steel case: Unlike 316L steel, which has a hardness of approximately 280 HV (Vickers), Damasko's underwater-hardened steel reaches 1500 HV, making it about five times stronger. Furthermore, this underwater steel, which notably equips German Type 212A U-boats, offers exceptional corrosion resistance. (***) Damasko A26 manufacture caliber: This caliber is based on the architecture of an ETA 2824. It is entirely manufactured in-house. Damasko has significantly improved it to eliminate the known weaknesses of the ETA movement. In particular, they have integrated a bidirectional ratchet winding system, a rotor mounted on two ceramic ball bearings, a transverse balance bridge, and hardened steel wear parts instead of brass or steel. The advantage of this in-house caliber is that, unlike many manufacture movements, it can be repaired by any watchmaker, and its parts are interchangeable with those of the ETA 2824. It is offered with the standard "elaboré" finish or in a "TOP" version [gold-plated Glucydur balance, finished and optimized barrel (internal polishing of the barrel, pre-stretched and calibrated mainspring for uniform force), increased precision in the machining and polishing of the gear teeth, improved accuracy and stability]. Power reserve: 42 hours. It is tested in 6 positions with a maximum tolerance of 20 seconds between each position. I tested my unit in 6 positions with an average of -0.7 seconds per day.