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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: John
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Engraving on back - Does it destroy the value?
I own a Submariner 5513 that I purchased new in 1970 on my first trip to Europe right out of college. It is a domed bezel model with meters first on the dial. Within a few years after I bought it I had it engraved on the back(see attached picture). Does this kill the resale value or how much of a penalty would I get hit with?
Thanks |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Real Name: Frank
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Watch: SS Submariner Date
Posts: 4,042
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I'd like to see more pics of that beauty!
My initial reaction is that it wouldn't hurt the value by much. It may either be easily buffed out or a replacement back could be sourced for it. My guess, and this is purely a guess, you may be looking at a couple hundred bucks less than what it is worth market value so long as everything else is original and it hasn't been polished too much or the patina is too bad.
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#3 |
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Junkyard Dog
Location: The Doghouse
Watch: I can't tell time
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It hurts value . . .
Unless it's engraved: "Hans Wilsdorf -- 1919" ![]() |
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#4 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
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No, it will not hurt the value to a great degree. Maybe a hundred bucks.... It will, however, make your audience smaller because there are some that will not buy an engraved watch...
There are many other things that could affect the watches value more so than an engraving which could be replaced at service.. that engraving is also very light and could be taken off easily without losing much of the parent metal at all.......
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#5 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Eddie
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If you ever really needed to sell it, buy a replacement caseback and keep the original.
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: USA
Watch: ing the time go by
Posts: 1,444
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No, hardly on a watch of that calibre, and as Larry says, easily removed. Looks a nice piece, any dial photo's
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#7 | |
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Quote:
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#8 |
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Real Name: Phillip
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My advice would be to keep it and then it doesn't matter.
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#9 |
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Real Name: Scott
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Just look for a period correct caseback, they are out there.
Scott
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#10 |
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Real Name: John
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Real Name: Peter
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Don't sell it.
you will regret it! |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Robert
Location: Ottawa
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It does hurt the resale value of the watch.
Better to purchase a replacement back and engrave that instead. |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: Damien
Location: United Kingdom
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It would not matter to me, as the year, quarter, and serial number would be more important.
It is amazing how many people are looking for their birth year (and quarter), and how when people get to mid 30's to 40's they have a bit more money to spend on luxuries. If it is a 1970 watch hold it until next year and you might get interest from people wanting to celebrate a significant 40th birthday. If you can, keep it though, after all it is steeped in your personal history. Post a face-picture, please, please, please. |
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#14 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Ian
Location: canada
Posts: 1,724
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I have several vintage watches and things like engravings do not put me off at all, in fact it is kind of nice as you know the watch has been well loved and thought of!
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#15 | |
"TRF" Member
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Real Name: John
Location: Midwest
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Quote:
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#16 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: De
Location: Tokyo
Watch: Daytona, Sub, DS,
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Engraving was the rage in the 40's to the 70's.
People put their initials or name on everything. Pens, lighters, watches etc. I do think it devalues the watch normally, but in some cases the watch value can increase by 10 fold. The Rolex Marlyn Monroe is said to have gifted to JFK was sold at a thumping price and the back was engraved. (Later the serial number was found to be one after JFK died) |
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#17 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
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Great looking watch John...
the dial is nicely aged, the hands intact.... there should not be any value lost because of the caseback on that piece......... ![]()
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#18 |
TechXpert
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Dal
Location: Seattle
Watch: 168000
Posts: 1,614
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I have had great success filling in engraving with steel solder, so it's not all lost. The tricky part is getting a good finish. Polishing it down works only if the engraving is filled.
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#19 | |
TechXpert
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Dal
Location: Seattle
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#20 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Real Name: dan
Location: Pennsylvania
Watch: keystone pocket
Posts: 5,916
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i believe generally grey marketeers tell you engraving reduces value, but not a huge amount. looks to be a nice watch, so i wouldn't worry: i'd hold on to it.
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