[wviplinke]

I have a Steinhart OVM with a double anti-reflective coating and would love to see the dial fade in 10-20 years like many of the vintage watches we see today. Will the anti-reflective coating prevent this? Or maybe speed it up due to more light being absorbed through the crystal?

 

[Veda]

Promote if more light passes through the crystal.

 

[kak1154]

Interesting question. I'm not sure how AR coating actually works. Does it actually reflect less light? Or does it just diffuse the light so you don't get a direct glare?

My initial reaction is that it won't make a difference as far as dial fading, because the same amount of light is reaching the dial. But if it actually lets more light pass through the crystal, then I guess it would promote it.

 

[obomomomo]

AR actually allows more light through. Thats why AR was originally used mainly for camera lenses, telescopes, binoculars etc.
As for fading, the main 'damage' is done by UV light, and glass is a natural filter preventing the passage of UV, not too sure about sapphire crystal. I believe AR would not help allow more UV in although I may be mistaken.

 

[sticky]

AR coating will let more light through but the crystal will probably filter some of the UV out which causes most of the fading so whether an AR coating will enhance or reduce it is open to debate.

 

[SemperTempusFugit]

You keep watches for 20 years? :think:

That sounds like an eternity to me! :-!