Question about buying a second hand Day Date with engraving on back

[losteagle]

I’m in the market for a Secondhand vintage all gold day date. I have located one with box and papers in unpolished condition. It looks really nice except the back has been engraved with a dedication from the CEO of a company to one of its top employees. The company is a “household name” and the person who is making the dedication is a national war, although not a household name.

Will this engraving detract from the value of the watch? Could it add to it?

Thanks in advance for all thoughts and insight

[padi56]

Originally Posted by losteagle

I’m in the market for a Secondhand vintage all gold day date. I have located one with box and papers in unpolished condition. It looks really nice except the back has been engraved with a dedication from the CEO of a company to one of its top employees. The company is a “household name” and the person who is making the dedication is a national war, although not a household name.

Will this engraving detract from the value of the watch? Could it add to it?

Thanks in advance for all thoughts and insight

Doubt if it would add any value you could change the case back via Rolex but expensive since it's gold, but expect you get a bit back for you case back in exchange..

[Harry-57]

Do you like the watch or are you buying against future value?

[losteagle]

I just don’t want to find out later that the engraving negatively impacted the value. I am not looking for a value enhancement. Just want to avoid being a sucker.

Point taken about simply getting a new back. But as noted solid gold back aint gonna be cheap. And the engraving seems too deep to polish off, but what do i know…

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Personally the engraving wouldn’t bother me if the price was right although I might use the engraving to my advantage to lower the purchase price by leveraging the cost of a new caseback. Also while I personally think that the engraving is an interesting bit of provenance it doesn’t add to the value of the watch. Because I’m not enamored of display casebacks or caseback engraving in general I might very well just wear the watch as it is. If it’s the right watch for you then buy it.

As a side note I have an old Zippo lighter that my long gone dad said he found on a sidewalk somewhere. It is engraved, “Mr. Wills, Lansing’s Best Salesman.” I love that thing and it’s the engraving that tells the story.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by losteagle

I just don’t want to find out later that the engraving negatively impacted the value. I am not looking for a value enhancement. Just want to avoid being a sucker.

Point taken about simply getting a new back. But as noted solid gold back aint gonna be cheap. And the engraving seems too deep to polish off, but what do i know…

Would doubt if this DD would be classed as being collectible, as most of the value is in the precious metal,so if you are happy with the price just buy and wear it.

[losteagle]

Thanks for the additional responses. All very helpful.

This watch is one that my 23 yr old son is eyeing with his hard-earned money. He likes the nostalgia and wants to wear it and pass it to his son one day. i just want to help steer him. As has been alluded, there are a lot of these DDs out there. But it’s a damn beautiful vintage watch with rich unpolished patina gold. And the size is quite fitting for him.

I like the idea of using the engraving as negotiating leverage - so thanks for that!

[offrdmania]

If you dont like it then you can send the case back to someone to laser weld with gold filler rod and then grind down smooth. It may cost you a grand since its gold, so you may want to figure that into what you are paying for the piece.

[losteagle]

thanks for the additional feedback - all very helpful.

This watch is one that my 23 year old son is eyeing with his hard-earned money. It’s a vintage iconic watch that he really appreciates wants to wear it and pass it in to his son one day. I am just trying to steer him in the right direction. As has been alluded, there are tons of these DDs out there but this particular watch is damn beautiful with its unpolished very well kept rich patina gold.

I like Kevin’s idea to use the engraving as negotiating leverage (ignoring how cool i particularly think it is) - so thanks for that!

[joli160]

If the engraving is not too deep it’s easy to remove. Case backs are plenty thick.
Usually engraved watches are a lot cheaper but since it is an easy fix it shouldn’t be

[WhistlerX]

Why not leave it? It’s part of the provenance of the DD …

[4reRlxGuy]

I've always viewed engravings as part of the provenance also. Always special when a piece marked an accomplishment in life or a special moment.

[Daytonaman799]

I think I know the watch you are talking about. I would leave it alone. The watch looks to be in great shape and that engraving is part of its provenance. Just leave it alone IMHO. You could always buy another case back and save that one.

[yankeeromeo]

I've seen some amazing steel work surely a goldsmith could rub it down and buff it and add gold if required

[fooey]

It wouldn't bother me at all!.
Sounds cool

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[pk552502]

Try to use it to negotiate a good price. It wouldn't bother me to have an engraving if the price is right. The unpolished condition would be more important of a selling point to me.

However, if you buy it, I would leave it alone. If I knew a watch used to have an engraving that was later polished away, I would view that as a negative. not a deal breaker, but not great.

[Joearch]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

I've always viewed engravings as part of the provenance also. Always special when a piece marked an accomplishment in life or a special moment.

Fully agree. If you like the watch, go for it.

[Sublovin]

I assume you are getting a good discount or you would simply buy one that isn’t engraved.

[Patekfinder]

Buy the watch and send it to LA Watch Works. They can easily remove the engraving without taking off any metal. They will fill in the engraving with welds and then polish it down to be equal with the original caseback. They are miracle workers.






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[2000-NJDEVILS]

To the OP -
You are almost always paying a premium for box and papers on an older DD36 -
3 Q’S to ask yourself:
Are there other DD36’s for the exact same price without the engraving on 47th street?
Do I have to have this watch or maybe there’s another one for me (walk away power)?
Am I okay with looking at someone else’s message on the watch for the next 10+ years?
Good luck, Sir!

[996marty]

I don’t think the engraving would add value if anything I’d be looking at getting it cheaper because of it
But for me just buy it and enjoy it

[PenDelicate]

I don't know anyone who's specifically looking for "household name" companies engraved on the back of their Day Date, so I'm guessing it won't increase the value. (Unless this household-name company happens to be Tiffany.)

Any household-name engraving would greatly detract from the watch's desirability for me personally.

"Heinz." "Coke." "Philips." "Mars."

Ugh.

[losteagle]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to provide thoughts and insights.

I have gotten the gist loud and clear and really appreciate it.