My 2-cents on S/S or PVD: I had given it quite a though before pulling a trigger on S/S black/white. You folks tell me if my theory holds water: s/s is much better in maintenance. If scratched, it would not show as much, and it would get easily polished away. As of the watch shape, s/s wonderfully combines the classic round shape with unobtrusive square surrounding, whilst pvd would be a clear "I am square" statement". S/S IMO is dressier rather then pure instrumental utilitarian look of the PVD. The white on black has always been a winner in the dark. I played with different conditions setup, and the thing is that at times when you get in the dark place, your eyes would not get that instant adjustment. Since rep's lume is probably not near the gen's, or my Seiko's quality, even a hint of light makes white numbers very visible( my dog has a few patches of white fur, and when walking him in the dark I've always noticed how the white tip of the tail flashed up). I wake up at times during my sleep, and if look up at the watch on my nightstand I can clearly see hands and numbers, that could be partly because of my vision had adjusted but also definitely due to the glowing. I have not mustered the night shuts photography as of yet, so I am sorry that I can't provide images . So hopefully this passage might help those in doubt...
Cheers,
Greg