I’m curious where people stand on engraving of watches. And I don’t mean the decorative engraving of the whole case, but having something of personal note engraved on the case back of a special watch.
My wife had my C65 Trident Vintage engraved. When I ordered the C65 AM GT LE as a birthday watch, I would have had it engraved had it been available as an option.
For special watches with personal meaning, I’m a fan of engraving. If the watch becomes a family heirloom, I think the engraving will take on even more significance.
I still have the engraved Hamilton my parents gave me for HS graduation (since passed on to my wife). And I regret not getting the watch I bought my daughter engraved, although I can still do that.
Personal Engraving?
- H0rati0
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Re: Personal Engraving?
I do not engrave - the sentiment comes from vintage pocket watches where, generally speaking, the value is diminished by personal engraving.
But in a family setting I can see the attraction.
But in a family setting I can see the attraction.
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- rkovars
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Re: Personal Engraving?
In my experience, as far as value goes, on watches it doesn't matter as long as it is done well. That aside, I don't have any engraved at the moment. I have toyed with engraving my 1675 but I am not sure what I would put on it. Maybe my initials in nice script but don't know.
As an aside, I was listening to a podcast the other day (I don't remember which one) but they mentioned someone who engraved 'Not For Sale' on their Rolex. I thought that was pretty funny. John Mayer had the Grateful Dead skull engraved on one he wore when he toured with them. Then of course there is the famous 'Drive Slowly' on Paul Newman's Daytona.
As an aside, I was listening to a podcast the other day (I don't remember which one) but they mentioned someone who engraved 'Not For Sale' on their Rolex. I thought that was pretty funny. John Mayer had the Grateful Dead skull engraved on one he wore when he toured with them. Then of course there is the famous 'Drive Slowly' on Paul Newman's Daytona.
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Re: Personal Engraving?
I have only one engraved watch: a gold Smiths Astral given in 1965 as a long service award to a chap who worked for an engineering firm in Portsmouth.
Steve
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Re: Personal Engraving?
Des
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Re: Personal Engraving?
I have three engraved watches:
1) A Garrard presentation watch that was given to an Uncle for 20 years service with I.C.I. They included his National Service in that, which I've always thought was rather nice.
2) A 9ct gold watch that I bought second hand as a dress watch. Presented to some bloke by Ford for long service.
3) A quartz pocket watch given to me by my wife for our silver wedding (10 years ago!).
For me, the value in 1 & 3 IS in the engraving rather than the watch. The value in 2 is probably in the gold. and I doubt the engraving impacts that.
If I ever buy a CW Sandhurst, I will have it engraved with my service number and Corps initials, I generally buy watches to keep so I don't really care about the impact on resale value.
1) A Garrard presentation watch that was given to an Uncle for 20 years service with I.C.I. They included his National Service in that, which I've always thought was rather nice.
2) A 9ct gold watch that I bought second hand as a dress watch. Presented to some bloke by Ford for long service.
3) A quartz pocket watch given to me by my wife for our silver wedding (10 years ago!).
For me, the value in 1 & 3 IS in the engraving rather than the watch. The value in 2 is probably in the gold. and I doubt the engraving impacts that.
If I ever buy a CW Sandhurst, I will have it engraved with my service number and Corps initials, I generally buy watches to keep so I don't really care about the impact on resale value.
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
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Re: Personal Engraving?
That would be a nice touch. I don't think it would impact value at all.exHowfener wrote: ↑Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:59 pm If I ever buy a CW Sandhurst, I will have it engraved with my service number and Corps initials, I generally buy watches to keep so I don't really care about the impact on resale value.
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Jack London
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Re: Personal Engraving?
I wouldn't ordinarily get engraving done on a watch, but I do have an early 1950s Roidor that was a Long Service award, 25 years, to my Grandfather from The Distillers Company.
My Father later wore it as his daily watch for a number of years.
Watch value c. £50. I saw one on eBay some years ago. Value to me? Priceless.
Guy
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My Father later wore it as his daily watch for a number of years.
Watch value c. £50. I saw one on eBay some years ago. Value to me? Priceless.
Guy
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Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England