Petrichor 37mm Case – Black PVD

The Black PVD Petrichor is the stealth variant of our original case design. The same 37 mm vintage-inspired silhouette with flowing curves and a domed sapphire crystal, finished in deep black PVD over 316L stainless steel. The black coating absorbs light where the silver version reflects it, giving the Petrichor a completely different character — understated, modern, and deliberate. This is a Nomods original, not a homage. Compatible with NH35 and NH36 movements with a 28.5 mm dial opening. Ready for your darkest build.

Specifications

Compatibility

Movements: NH35 and NH36. The NH72 skeleton movement also fits, sharing the same external dimensions. A black PVD case with a dark skeleton dial creates a murdered-out aesthetic where the movement mechanics are visible but framed entirely in dark tones.

Dials: 28.5 mm. Black cases are the most versatile for dial pairing — virtually any dial color works. Black-on-black for stealth, white for maximum contrast, or a colored dial like blue or green for a single accent against the dark frame.

Hands: Any NH-series compatible hands (hour 1.50 mm, minute 0.88 mm, seconds 0.20 mm). Silver hands pop against the black case; black hands maintain the blacked-out look.

What’s Included

• Petrichor case body (316L stainless steel, black PVD finish)
• Domed sapphire crystal (pre-installed)
• Crown (screw-down)
• Gaskets

Tools are not included. You will need a case opener, hand press, stem cutter, and movement holder for assembly.

Designed by Nomods

The Black PVD Petrichor shows how dramatically a finish can change a design. The same curves that read as warm and vintage in silver or gold become stealth and modern in black. The PVD coating is applied via Physical Vapor Deposition for long-term durability — this is not paint or anodizing, but a molecular-level surface treatment that bonds to the steel. On the Petrichor’s rounded contours, the matte black finish creates subtle gradients of light across the case surface rather than the flat, lifeless black you get on angular cases. The domed sapphire crystal sits flush with the case profile, maintaining the seamless silhouette that defines the Petrichor. Each case is checked for coating uniformity and finishing quality before shipping.

Build Guide

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate — same drop-in assembly as all Petrichor variants.

Tools needed: Case opener, hand press, stem cutter, movement holder.

PVD care note: The black PVD finish shows scratches more visibly than silver steel because the exposed steel beneath is silver-toned. Use soft-jaw tools and protective tape at all contact points during assembly. A rubber case holder is preferable to a metal one.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Stem cutting: Measure twice, cut once. The stem must match the crown tube depth precisely for proper crown operation.
• Tool marks: Metal-on-metal contact will scratch black PVD permanently. Wrap all tool contact areas with painter’s tape or use nylon-jaw tools.
• Caseback seating: Press the caseback evenly. Uneven pressure can mark the PVD finish around the caseback edge.

For full step-by-step instructions, read our complete Seiko mod build guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete Your Build

Pair the Black PVD Petrichor case with these compatible components:

• NH35 Movement — the recommended automatic movement for this case
• Silver Royal Oak 28.5mm Dial — high contrast against the black case for maximum legibility
• Silver-White Waffle Dial (28.5mm) — textured dial that pops against black
• Silver V2 Hands — bright hands for readability against the dark case

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Nomods is an independent brand. Our products are original designs inspired by iconic watch aesthetics. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any luxury watch manufacturer. All brand names are used for reference purposes only.