What color is the PAM PVD

[nielsen]

So I'm looking at images of the gorgeous PAM 195, but depending on the image, the PVD color seems to run from quite light gray to black. All the shades look great but what color is it really? Is it a sort of gun-metal/coal black?

As a result of board postings, I'm getting a bit nervous of ordering from Davidsen--though I was successful in February with my 112. How is the quality of other suppliers' PVD coating. Many people describe Davidsen's as the best, but I don't want to end up having to send something back. I wish he would get on this board and reassure us all :wink:

Further to that, does anyone know whether Davidsen's CG for the Destro PAM 115 is the correct one?

 

[pete2528ca]

my friend, you would have an easier time asking a nun what colour knickers she was wearing than DSN coming on the forum to reasure anyone. Usually he posts his new stuff and that is about it.

As for pvd. as much as I am not a huge fan of his products as a whole, in individual parts most of them are pretty good, and his PVD is one of the best. dark charcoal i would describe it as.

 

[babola]

Gen PAM PVD finish could be anything between matte charcoal to shiny pencil gray, depending very much on year of production and model #, PVD maker (Panerai used few different ones in Europe in the past) and simply wear and tear.

The closest PVD PAM finish to gen in rep world that I've seen was the one originaly offered by Mark (finepics), the PVD maker was reportedly the same one Panerai used for their gens. I'm not sure wether that statement is true or not, but the finish was second to none.

Jack @IWW was another PVD maker worth mention, but refuses to PVD rep cases, anymore. DSN PVD cases are another great example, they originaly come too matte and grainy when new, but with a light touch of Cape Cod or similar light polish/abrasive his PVD case "comes to life".

cheers,
babola

 

[nielsen]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get my next rep over the next month and am having a devil of a time choosing..... Every time someone comes out with yet another 'ultimate' the decision becomes even tougher. It would be some much easier if I only liked one brand/type. At least there are a few I can cross off my list. Grahams, for example. I don't think I'd be able to lift my wimpy wrist with one of those machines on it 8)

 

[kruzer00]

Beyond the different manufacturers there are different processes. The 195 was DLC'ed. The earlier A's and B's tended to be TiN or TiAln. And then to make it more complex the size of beads and length of bead blasting will impact the finish as well. Davidsen's is the best already done PVD. I don't know what his process is but given the greyish bluish I would guess Tialn (DLC is darker). But his bead blasting methodology results in a flatter color. THe A's and B's in Tialn have substantially more sheen. Finepics person did an excellent job. Here is one of his (a little too blue but nice sheen) and in general the closest I have seen for the A's and B's:

I believe Rolli offers an excellent after-market DLC currently in addition to stock Davidsen.