Go for PVD or stick with ceramic?

[yellow]

Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I've spent a lot of time researching "the" Panerai thread to narrow down my purchase and I think I'm pretty much settled on a black case/asso strap combination - only question is what.

I've got my eye on a 026 K, 292 J, 360 M and a 386 M. All very similar watches I'm sure you'll agree.

Having read some scary stories of watch straps falling apart on the 292 models I'm a bit concerned about accidentally damaging my purchase if it were to ever come apart and the design of the remaining three watches appears to be more solid in that respect.

Of the other three however, I notice they're all available in a PVD finish only and - having had a PVD rep previously (not a Pam however) - I'm inclined to go for the ceramic 292 for the durability factor.

Does anyone have any experience/opinion on my two separate durability points above?

 

[nalomb]

I have a 026K, 292J, 386M and I can tell you they all will scratch. The 386 is such a unique color, that there would be no way to repair it -- plus its been "discontinued" by Panerai. Put that one on the bottom of your list, although it is a head turner. Great Asso strap from the factory on mine.

The 026 has a great finish and is relatively durable. Its off getting modded right now, but by my memory, it is the darkest of all 3 in color. Good daily beater and great style. Decent strap -- good watch for experimenting with different strap finishes.

The 292 is still an applied coating, despite a number people on here selling you to the contrary. It is a good finish and will scuff before it will chip. But it will chip and expose the metal underneath if you hit it hard enough. Great look, good durability, just a pain on the wallet. The strap is OK -- not as good as the 386.

For durability, I would go with the 292 and then the 026 -- but if you are hoping to have a pristine watch after a few weeks, better set up residence in a vacuum. Its going to get scraped, scuffed or chipped eventually. And as always, use loctite on your Radiomir screws and get a good set of screwdrivers and a heavy does of patience -- even pros can scratch and ding up PVD lug screws.

 

[John71]

PAM292 is real ceramic, I have seen broken cases and pieces that broke off at the lugs, so definitely not an applied coating like nalomb says

 

[yellow]

Thank you both for the information. Guess I'll conclude from the above that the 292 will have better longevity and be more durable as a daily wearer.

Still erring on the side of the 026 versus the 292 now, given some of Ale's lengthy posts on the former and the seemingly "curvier" look of the 026.

I don't suppose anyone is aware of any side-by-side pictures available anywhere for a direct comparison of the dimensions of the two? Something along the lines of Toro's full length pic here specifically.

 

[nalomb]

PAM292 is real ceramic, I have seen broken cases and pieces that broke off at the lugs, so definitely not an applied coating like nalomb says

Then could you kindly explain this?

 

[Kleen]

Then could you kindly explain this?

Looks very strange - what maker?

 

[nalomb]

Noob J-series

 

[John71]

Then could you kindly explain this?

It's not the coating that comes of.. when a ceramic watch gets 'scratched' it's just the material that caused the 'scratching' that sticks to the ceramic...

And how would you explain this to happen with a steel watch with ceramic coating:

 

[nalomb]

Certainly can't -- I suppose I just have trouble trusting the altruism of a group of folks that steal intellectual property rights and have to release new versions every 6 months haha. Or it could be the ex-wife ...

 

[ALE7575]

If you are seraching for a watch reliabkle and without problemd go to PAM 026
Radiomir PAM 292 has much more probems in general, ceramic broken, crown loose, lugs loose, screw ....
PVD coating of PAM 026 are good enough for daily wearing
After that you could consider the purchase of a PAM 292.
PAM 360 and 386 are inaccurate at this moment.

BTW: there are SS PVD coated and ceramic versions of PAM 292. But Noob J-series and H maker J-series are always in real ceramic. Many broken cases and lug holes to be SS. They are always real ceramic.
ceramic doesn't scratch usually but scratches other materials and the material remain stuck in the ceramic like a scratch (but it is not scratch is a mark made of the other material scratched).

ALE