AK26... What do we get after 10 years?
Got together w/ a lucky owner of a new PAM26K and here's a picture of my trusty PAM26A alongside the K. Tritium vs Luminova, painted vs. sandwiched, 1998 vs 2008...
I was curious as to the possible difference in finishing: My A feels a tad darker although it's almost impossible to capture the difference via picture. Having said that, the original A serie coating does feel a bit grainier while the new coating seems smoother/finer. So there, that's what 10 years of evolution does...
This message has been edited by Jester on 2008-10-18 01:35:11
That's very interesting, Jester
Really a great idea to put side by side the old 26 and the new one...
While the PVD of the 26A seems more fragile ( and it is certainly ) than the coating of the new one, when you these 2 watches together, the 26A is THE Beast...
Much more charm, soul, strengh than the more aspetised new one...IMO.
Best, and thanks once again!
Nicolas
I fear you are bias because of the tritium
tritium is gone and there's nothing to do about that. I agree with Jester and you can see the evolution of design and I think Panerai struck the jackpot with the color of the case, the sandwich dial and the thick cut fonts. The 26A will always be the original, rare, neo-vintage etc, but I would not underestimate the strong character of 26K.
We planned to meet up to do a comparison review of 26A and 26K, but s o m e b o d y didn't show up 
Cheers,
Asi
Guilty as charged!
You and Asi can just send me both watches
and I'll compare the 2 watches for you guys while they're both strapped to my wrists
- AT
Well, that was exactly our intention
great comparison
Very nice comparison Jester.
The new PVD coating is indeed lighter than the original PVD in A or B series.
What a rare bird for 26A, nice collection to be proud of.
Cheers
Great to have both pieces..
Both has its own character and I must say they are awesome.
Thanks for sharing...
Cheers,
Thank you for sharing it with us...
Whether the new treatment DLC' in the current Pam 26 is more resistant than the PVD used in the original model (one point for the new model), I think that nothing can beat it´s painted dial and especially the tritium. It is impressive that "explosive" mix ....
However, I think you're a lucky man: You can enjoy both ....
Gimme the 26A all day long....
great shot Jester!
Body, Lug, and Font Number also diffrent.
The shape of are different if you do now own both....... especially the lug of 26K are bigger.....than the old one, body so wider a bit....have to observe one by one..........then the no. font on dial are different.
26 K font is wider and a bit bigger than the original one..........color is pencil grey indeed............my one also the same.....is darker once compare with the new one.
just my 2 cent..... ;0)