Abstract: A metal wire having a substrate and a coating. The substrate is a steel the carbon content of which is equal to at least 0.05% and at most 0.6%, this steel having a structure comprising more than 90% work-hardened tempered martensite. The substrate is coated with a metal alloy other than steel. Method of obtaining this wire. A steel machine wire comprising 28% to 96% proeutectoid ferrite and 72% to 4% pearlite is work hardened. A hardening treatment is carried out in order to obtain a structure comprising more than 90% martensite. A depositing of metals is then effected, the wire is heated to cause the formation of an alloy and the formation of a structure comprising more than 90% tempered martensite. The wire is cooled and work hardened. This wire is used, for instance, to reinforce tires.