PAM 195 PVD review - Davidsen almost has it down

[bigbadbrad]

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I pulled the trigger on a 195 from Davidsen - also liked it enough to order 2, The PVD work is very good - enzo has commented elsewhere that Davidsen has a proper, bonded/blasted, PVD, not simply painted on.

I ordered mine w/ the Swiss 6497 - I wanted surety of parts for this one down the road ...

The good:

* the case is of good quality / veracity
* the dial
* the PVD
* 'fat' crown
* CG is solid; pin looks good also
* the 3 ATM test appears to be no idle boast - I have got all my "Davidreperai" submerged.

The bad / not ugly actually, maybe indifferent ..:

* CG lever is not flush - have mentioned this to David and hopefully this is to be corrected in future ones
* the bottom lug screw does not go into the case fully .. a singular flaw? NO, for this was the case (no pun) for both that I ordered
* you may wish to add to the lume's robustness
* if you consider the gen's PVD, it has a subtle sheen to its PVD coating; the earlier [some current!] reps were AWFUL, with an almost enamel sheen to them .., and David's PVD is more matte ... a PVD w/ a modicum of sheen would be perfect
* 1 x 195 arrived w/ a poorly adjusted stem - so it's problematic to set the time, but getting easier with use (I'm not one to rip open the caseback to do this - enzo would have no issues!)

2 pics to keep "modem burning" to a min ... likely I'll post more later (have to study for a professional exam; this is my glorious procrastination!)

Bottom line: Davidsen's 195 is a rep worth owning. Some more tweaking will make it even better.

Strap is a Golden-Sandy:

--- BBB

 

[Edge]

Niced write up Brad thanks for taking the time to do a full review, and good luck in the exam, feel free to show us more procrastination shots.

 

[sexypapa]

Very good review. It gave me an idea of this 195.

If you could post more pics from different angels and front and back would be perfect.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[shyreplover]

The PVD on gen 195 is not 100% black. There's a little bit grey to it.
I saw one on a watch forum gathering and compared it side by side with the Heuer PVD. The Heuer is 100% black while the 195 is on the lighter side of black... more of like a very dark grey.

But anyway, Davidsen certainly sell the best 195. Congrats on the watches. [smilie=wav.gif]

 

[RqThrottle]

You make it dound like a drawback, when in fact is not supposed to be black

The PVD on gen 195 is not 100% black. There's a little bit grey to it.
I saw one on a watch forum gathering and compared it side by side with the Heuer PVD. The Heuer is 100% black while the 195 is on the lighter side of black... more of like a very dark grey.

But anyway, Davidsen certainly sell the best 195. Congrats on the watches. [smilie=wav.gif]

 

[bigbadbrad]

You make it dound like a drawback, when in fact is not supposed to be black

No arguments, lads :!: Anyway, you're right, the PVD is more akin to a charcoal - and this photo displays the gen's subtle sheen to a 'T' - as we can discern, not shiny, nor matte - it's a bloody ripper of a finish, and difficult to render:

--- BBB

 

[shyreplover]

the sheen could be the result that some owner prefer to "oil" the PVD.
There was an article on TZ on what kind oil to use and you use a towel to rub the watch gently.

And yes, charcoal is the right word to use. Thanks, bigbadbrad.

 

[bigbadbrad]

the sheen could be the result that some owner prefer to "oil" the PVD.
There was an article on TZ on what kind oil to use and you use a towel to rub the watch gently.

And yes, charcoal is the right word to use. Thanks, bigbadbrad.

Actually, I need to thank you mate! I've been wondering about this oiling of the watch (heard of it but never seen a specific ref.): do you think Davidsen's PVD could develop the right patina given this attention?

If you, or anyone, has any links / info on this I'd surely love to give it a go!

Thanks again,

-- BBB

 

[azgjav]

i agree that davidsen's pvd is a lil too dark and matt out of the box..i used cape cod to lightly polish the case then used a cleaning cloth to rub the finish so that it'll be more even..here's the result:

u can compare the case with the dial(which is pretty darn black) and the aftermarket pvd buckle which i left as it is, no polishing, etc..

p/s - i lurve davidsen's pammies..

 

[MET-Rx]

BBBB great pics and review. [smilie=thumbsup.gif]

Also..I hate you! Now I have this PVD craving(EVEN MORE THAN BEFORE) that's gonna bug me until I order one of these. Thanks. LOL

Azgjav...very nice 9. I think the CCC really did improve coloring when compared to the untreated buckle in your photo. It lightened it up just enough like it was faded.

 

[briank996]

Can you tell why the screw dosen't go in all the way? Does the hole need retapped?

 

[shyreplover]

the sheen could be the result that some owner prefer to "oil" the PVD.
There was an article on TZ on what kind oil to use and you use a towel to rub the watch gently.

And yes, charcoal is the right word to use. Thanks, bigbadbrad.

Actually, I need to thank you mate! I've been wondering about this oiling of the watch (heard of it but never seen a specific ref.): do you think Davidsen's PVD could develop the right patina given this attention?

If you, or anyone, has any links / info on this I'd surely love to give it a go!

Thanks again,

-- BBB

Sorry, can't find the old posting on TZ. It's just something that I read and happened to still remember.
Enzo, I saw two 195 watches and their PVD are pretty consistent.
Of course PVD watches will eventually be different from one another, but not because of the PVD process itself. It's more because of the habit of the owner. A roughed up PVD watch will eventually look shiny and lighter in color.

 

[watchout]

Can anything be done...

So I've been reading about Davidsen's wonderful PVD watches and I would like to know if anything can be done to the PVD (psuedo) watches that look like they're shiny black? I have I think a logo that's PVD but it's black and because of that I don't wear it. Can anything be done to it?

Thanks for your helpful responses.

Watchout

 

[bigbadbrad]

195 angles + 202A (also a Daviden)

Very good review. It gave me an idea of this 195.

If you could post more pics from different angels and front and back would be perfect.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks!

Here's a couple more - with the lovely 202A (also Davidsen, 1st gen):

-- BBB

 

[higgy]

Way to go BigBadBrad!!!!!!! very nice review.... :wink:

Higgy 8)

 

[briank996]

Is the bottom screw in the second set of pics unscrewed or does it really stick out that much? I have one on the way and if it sticks out that much... talk about a dead giveaway

 

[Cucumber_Jones]

Nice brad. The last thing I need is more watches!!

 

[bigbadbrad]

Is the bottom screw in the second set of pics unscrewed or does it really stick out that much? I have one on the way and if it sticks out that much... talk about a dead giveaway

We have exceptionally observent members You are right: the screw is sticking out .. but it did not arrive like that. The 195 did arrive as discussed in my first post: with the head not able to be fully seated.

My advice then is to make sure you have a good lug thread (on all reps).

David is a great dealer, and he's doing some interesting work - so my thoughts are, at his reasonable asking price to have reasonable expectations. If you do have an issue that is not easily correctable, he's responsive.

In sum: if you hanker for a PVD, David is a paramount choice.

--- BBB

 

[murselyfe]

Oops.

 

[shelby1501]

Man this thread is 8 years old. I don't think you'll get a response from OP.