There are a few remarkable highlights to Damasko’s 30 year history that add to the desirability of each of its timepieces. The company began exploring innovative materials from day one, specialising in hardened stainless steel, which, to this day offers a strength four times harder than standard stainless steel used in many wristwatches on the current market. Used for space shuttle fuel pumps and utilized within the aviation industry for jet engine turbine bearings, this stainless steel can withstand temperature lows and highs between a range of -40C to +54C. Adding to these qualities is its scratch resistant and corrosion resistant properties. With over 100 patents to lay claim to, Damasko focuses on resilience and functionality as a priority when creating each of its wristwatches. These designs appeal to collectors who can appreciate the striking aesthetics of the Damasko style, together with the company’s carefully constructed cases and low-maintenance designs.
Founded by trained and talented engineer and inventor, Konrad Damasko in 1989, the family-owned German watch manufacturer hugely hit the market in the early 2000s having conquered the art of crafting watches strong enough to survive anything. Measured down to the exact micrometre and subject to the most stringent of quality tests, each Damasko watch is intended to look as good on the wrist a century on as it does on its first day on the wrist. The manufacturer focussed on durability enhancing features, developing watches like the DC 56 Si Chronograph which earned itself first choice of watch for German Eurofighter pilots for over a decade.
In addition to Damasko’s hardened stainless steel, each watch is also equipped with a fully hardened crown that can be replaced if ever damaged whilst sustaining the tough rigors of extreme exploration, a situation only ever likely to happen under catastrophic events. With permanent lubrication cells, Viton gaskets, and true movement decoupling, this innovative design feature is amongst some of Damasko’s most impressive pioneering creations in the field of material research and development. On some select models, Damasko offers a mechanical movement with in-house manufactured ceramic bearing rotors that are near on impossible to break or damage, each one capable of withstanding mil spec endurance tests to prove its robustness.
Back in 2008 Damasko produced its own in-house patented EPS silicon hairsprings and began expanding its diverse range of mechanical wristwatches with its own in-house movements from 2019. From simple and affordable timepieces to more high end complexities, Damasko watches include expertly developed dive watches crafted from hardened submarine steel, legible pilot’s watches, elegant dress watches and timeless three handed models amongst many more options.
Damasko has created a huge range of pilot’s watches that instantly take the wearer back to the military timekeeping instruments of the 1940a. The DA20 watches are developed from the brand’s proprietary ice stainless steel. As mentioned earlier this material promises a hardness four times greater than standard stainless steel. Powered by the ETA 2836-2 automatic winding movement, Damasko DA20 watches are not governed by in house made engines but feature legible dials that assist with timekeeping thousands of miles up in the sky. These models come completed on comfortable leather calfskin straps for achieving an authentic look on the wrist.
Damasko DA34 and DA35 watches are the brand’s simple three handed watches. Dressed against simplified black or white dials, the only additional touch of colour on these models is a striking red coated second hand and a marker at 12 o’clock hour, joined by accompanying stick markers. While the brand offers sportier models such as the DA36, DA37 and DA38 range, Damasko DA46 and DA47 watches are more diver-inspired and come equipped with a diver’s rotating bezel for easy measuring of elapsed time underwater. For an impressive 300 meter water resistant capability, the DSub1, DSub2 and DSub3 watches are equipped with the ceramic ball bearings, a unidirectional rotating bezel and anti reflective sapphire glass lens for all underwater challenges.
