Finepics Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Guys you might be aware that I have been looking into PVD and can at last offer a complete package deal which is for a complete case, all screws and CG etc, and a buckle coated in TiALN (Titanium Aluminium Nitride). This is the same coating Panerai use on their watches. Be aware that it is not jet black - more of a grey black (described as Anthracite in the Panerai book). The following is what the plating company have said so read carefully: "The components would have to be supplied as before i.e clean, separate and must be stainless steel substrate. The process itself is prone to etching of the substrate in certain situations to give a poor cosmetic result. In the majority of situations the components will coat fine as with the last examples. Payment would be by cheque with order and we would need your details initially for our system records." OK, got that - I have already had a sample case done (you might have seen the pics) and the work is good and my PAM 28a case is away being plated right now. The reference to poor cosmetic results refers to the small chance that there is a slight discolouration in some areas or a slight build up of material on an edge. This is the nature of PVD. Panerai would obviously reject any that are faulty, but we don't have that luxury so just to let you know. My case did have one tiny fualt but so small I do not see it and am really happy with the finish. Total all in cost inc post is £85. I cannot qoute a dollar price as the exchange rate is too variable so would need PP payments in UK sterling please. The turnaround time is a week to 10 days at the platers so allow about 2 weeks total with delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Where are the photos of your case???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Good effort Finepics. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Can this service be extended to us folks with CONUS addresses? Or only for folks in the UK? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Yes this is available anywhere. The case need stripping and all O rings and crystal rings need removing. I will double check any before they are sent off for plating. All you need to do is make the PP payment in UK sterling - then you absorb the exchange rate. Here are some crappy pics (ignore the dial!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerailord Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 this is the best service my friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faber Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 looks great...nice job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Looks great. Great price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Sounds very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Look great Mark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Yes this is available anywhere. The case need stripping and all O rings and crystal rings need removing. I will double check any before they are sent off for plating. All you need to do is make the PP payment in UK sterling - then you absorb the exchange rate. I can do that...methinks... Thanks! cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 It's time for my new project to come alive.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Guys you might be aware that I have been looking into PVD and can at last offer a complete package deal which is for a complete case, all screws and CG etc, and a buckle coated in TiALN (Titanium Aluminium Nitride). This is the same coating Panerai use on their watches. Be aware that it is not jet black - more of a grey black (described as Anthracite in the Panerai book). This photo shows exactlly what you mean with the colour... This is definately anthracite to me than black... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 And here is the purple tint we talked on the phone.. This is definately the method and colour Panerai uses in their watches.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archibald Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 @ finepics: Will this company do PVD gold or platinum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 @ finepics: Will this company do PVD gold or platinum? Can you re-phrase that as I'm not quite sure what you mean. They can do the gold colored Ti coat - yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Can you re-phrase that as I'm not quite sure what you mean. They can do the gold colored Ti coat - yes. It wouldn't be bad if they could do this: Mark can you ask them about that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 @Veni - I will ask them and do some research as it may be a specialist gold platers is needed for this. I know the technology with Gold plate and it is easier to do than PVD. Cracking shot of that 203A - one just sold for £16500 in a UK auction a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Oh I forgot - my PVD is exactly like the ones in the photos. I had actually sent those pics to the company before they did mine so they knew what it should be like. Mine has the same slight sheen to it as it is bead blasted first. I think davidsens cases look a little too matte - they have been sandblasted rather than bead blasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Cracking shot of that 203A - one just sold for £16500 in a UK auction a few weeks ago. Yes it is a beautiful photo... And I really like the grey-ish colour much MUCH more than the painted black colour of the reps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 PVD can be specified as almost any colour of gold....silver....and certain colours........in fact ...I'm reliably infomed that some of the gold models that we've seen recently are PVD rather than conventional plating..........most people associate PVD with black / grey colour......not necessarily the case.....if the UK company have experience in finishes other than charcoal / black.....I'd be interested in having a watch done....in fact maybe a few........LMK...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 PVD can be specified as almost any colour of gold....silver....and certain colours........in fact ...I'm reliably infomed that some of the gold models that we've seen recently are PVD rather than conventional plating..........most people associate PVD with black / grey colour......not necessarily the case.....if the UK company have experience in finishes other than charcoal / black.....I'd be interested in having a watch done....in fact maybe a few........LMK...! Neil, yes they can do a range of colours. I'm not sure how gold the gold is but it is certainly much more permanent than actual gold plate and will last for years. I will need to check if the price is the same. I have got to speak the the company on Monday anyway so will ask then and let you know. Not sure if I mentioned this but it is the addition of Aluminium (or Aluminum for you US readers) to Titanium Nitirde (Ti) that makes the Ti go purple, and the darker the purple the more grey it looks. So the PVD Panerai use is actually the darkest shade of purple that TiALN can go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Neil, yes they can do a range of colours. I'm not sure how gold the gold is but it is certainly much more permanent than actual gold plate and will last for years. I will need to check if the price is the same. I have got to speak the the company on Monday anyway so will ask then and let you know. Not sure if I mentioned this but it is the addition of Aluminium (or Aluminum for you US readers) to Titanium Nitirde (Ti) that makes the Ti go purple, and the darker the purple the more grey it looks. So the PVD Panerai use is actually the darkest shade of purple that TiALN can go. Interesting stuff Mark... although I don't like gold especially on Pams, I wouldn't mind to have a 140 at that price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archibald Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 PVD can be specified as almost any colour of gold....silver....and certain colours........in fact ...I'm reliably infomed that some of the gold models that we've seen recently are PVD rather than conventional plating..........most people associate PVD with black / grey colour......not necessarily the case.....if the UK company have experience in finishes other than charcoal / black.....I'd be interested in having a watch done....in fact maybe a few........LMK...! @ Finepics: Neil is exactly right--I don't think there is a particular color of "Gold" Ti PVD--in fact, looking through my Watch Time Buyers' Guide, it looks like 99% of the gold plated watches made by the big boys--Cartier, Montblanc, etc.-- are using PVD for their gold plate. Eberhardt has a rose gold and white gold, Cartier a yellow gold, Erard a pink gold, and Montblanc has platinum and red gold. What would most interest me is whether or not your folks can do white gold--in the actual "warm" white gold color, not rhodium, which is what electroplaters use. Rhodium would be fine for reps of watches that actually plate their white gold pices w/ rhodium to make them "whiter" but many watchmakers (e.g. Muller, AP) do not plate their white gold watches in rhodium, preferring the color of natural white gold. As you point out PVD plating is light years better than electroplating. @Niel: If your sources are correct, that's excellent news. If you do find out which gold reps are PVD'd please do post that information in a thread of it's own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted May 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 @ Finepics: Neil is exactly right--I don't think there is a particular color of "Gold" Ti PVD--in fact, looking through my Watch Time Buyers' Guide, it looks like 99% of the gold plated watches made by the big boys--Cartier, Montblanc, etc.-- are using PVD for their gold plate. Eberhardt has a rose gold and white gold, Cartier a yellow gold, Erard a pink gold, and Montblanc has platinum and red gold. What would most interest me is whether or not your folks can do white gold--in the actual "warm" white gold color, not rhodium, which is what electroplaters use. Rhodium would be fine for reps of watches that actually plate their white gold pices w/ rhodium to make them "whiter" but many watchmakers (e.g. Muller, AP) do not plate their white gold watches in rhodium, preferring the color of natural white gold. As you point out PVD plating is light years better than electroplating. @Niel: If your sources are correct, that's excellent news. If you do find out which gold reps are PVD'd please do post that information in a thread of it's own! I spoke to the company today - they can only do gold and in one shade. They are sending me a sample so will update again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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