I realize some purists probably won't dig this question but.... a "to Ralph from Mother '42"... I guess I don't know that it's enough of a character adder for me to want to keep it for my own collection pieces.
Is it expensive to fill/buff or even feasible? What would something like that run?.... I suppose it depends on how deep and what metals?
Hay Jerin,
It is not practical to fill engraving in the back of a watch too often. The older watches had hand engraving that was deep to give it that great look the engravers wanted, and filling pit,s and erosion spots is hard enough.
One of the drawbacks to filling is not to get the metal too hot so that it worps the metal, so you need to get in, get out quick with the torch, too much heat will destroy a case in seconds.
I have been inventive sometimes, and cut the engraving out completely when it is too bad, and put a display back in the watch case, (not original of course, but you do what the customer wants) and I have put gold or sterling plates over the back to cover the engraving.
If the engraving is more moderen and is trace engraving, and not to deep, then you can grind it out and replate the case, but the back will be thinner of course.
If the back is curved, then this is much harder to do. Every watch will have to be inspected by the person doing the repairs first, before they will give a quote, or tell you if they are even able to repair it.
This is probably one of the hardest watch repairs to do for a person and could be costly.
Hope this helps. Mike..
Oh I do appreciate it for the most part Bob... but some of the engraving I've seen is absolutely horrible though... looks as though someone took one of those plug in buzzer engravers and just went BBBBBBEEESSSSZZZZ!!! (insert horrible looking engraving almost unintelligible on beautiful watch here) BSZZZZZZ!!!!
Now don't get me wrong... some of the engraving is sweetly classy and I think ad's to the piece... some... not so much... my 6 year old boy could do a better job on his etch a sketch..
In reply to Oh ok well if thats the case by Bob Bruno
As a Collector / Restorer I wont Buy Watches that have been personalized in any way and completely disagree with 'changing' a Caseback.
Changing the Caseback on any Watch destroys the pieces originality as the back contains important documentation: Serial numbers.
It's a lot like swapping a movement as the Watch is no longer original.
In reply to As a Collector / Restorer I by FifthAvenueRes…
"Changing the Caseback on any Watch destroys the pieces originality as the back contains important documentation: Serial numbers." That's a good point Mark. I would only consider that in the case of Jerin's "ech a sketch" engraving. That would certainly do more damage to the originality than say a redial.
Bob
I can not see a problem with switching the back on a 1951 watch with one from the same model off another 1951 junk watch if you so wish, better than having some hand scrawled mess on there which has already destroyed the originality anyway........like ML though, i do not buy watches with inscriptions if I can help it.....the ones i have had all come when the idiot seller forgets to mention this major point or doctors the photo to disguise it (like one I won yesterday, although that i was the idiot this time for not reading the description fully until the snipe had passed...nice unusual Bulova though).
I once removed the engraving from a 14K gold filled 1920s case with some emery paper and alot of rubbing. Went down bit by bit and didn't expose any of the underlying base metal. I'm not saying its easy or a great idea, but in my experience it is doable depending on how deep the engraving it. Just take it easy and buff evenly checking your progress often.
JERIN - if it's the Excellency I saw this AM it is NOT NOS!!!!! It is advertised as such but there is MAJOR wear on the claws.......at least the photos tell the truth......
Have bought a couple (only one or two) watches advertised as NOS over the years, that sadly, were not. Look at the Academy I have in the db. How could I have missed all the wear on the crown........still got a GREAT price on it.
By the way, I will buy an inscribed watch if it is special, unusual or uncommon (notice I did not use the "R" word?) , there are, I believe very few, truly 'rare' Bulova waches. The one inscribed to Lindbergh from Mr Bulova......I guess I'd consider that one, even though it's inscribed. I like that way Bob put it...... "When I look at my collection I often wonder about the original owner. To me it's part of the charm of owning a vintage watch."
-gb
I'm with Bob. I don't mind a personal inscription at all. To me, it's another part of the history of the watch. . . part of it's story. I like knowing that the watch I now have was once purchased by someone who regarded it highly enough to give it to someone they cared about. . . or to pass it down to their grandchildren. It reminds me that I am only the current caretaker of the watch, and some day I too will pass it on, and a bit of my thoughts and intentions will go with it.
Lisa and Geoff, That's so cool that you can appreciate the history of these vintage watches. There's more to collecting than $ value and technical numbers. I have spent way more money restoring my Uncle's Cadet than it will ever be worth. Yet it is my favorite watch. here's a photo of it with the original owner Len (Nixie) Lichard. Probably taken around the time he bought the watch.
Bob B
In reply to Lisa and Geoff, That's so by Bob Bruno
That's what it's all about, Bob. I also like Wayne's story about giving an old President to his niece and seeing her immediately put it on and appreciate its beauty and its value as a gift from him. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a way to know all the owners of our watches through the decades? I would display that information next to every watch in my collection.
WRT engraving, I like it. My 1946 Senator/Spencer/What-have-you is inscribed, "With Love, Mary". Who's Mary? Who did she buy the watch for? Other watches I own were retirement awards, which I also enjoy.
I like that everyone's approach to collecting is idiosyncratic!
Seeing 5th's beautiful, pristine '59 Excellency with the original leather-and-GF Kreisler bracelet encouraged me to buy one that was nowhere near as pristine, but which is still a strikingly attactive piece of American watchmaking that keeps excellent time. I'm glad there's room for both of us in this hobby - him at the top, and me bottomfeeding! ;-) .