Name engraved on case back...

[104peterb]

Hi all,

What are your opinions on names being engraved on case backs?

Would you ever buy a vintage watch with somebody else's name on it?

Personally it puts me off a bit, and annoys me when I see it on a nice watch. Happy to be persuaded otherwise though. It devalues a watch right?

Cheers

Peter

[andromeda160]

Wouldn't dissuade me from a watch unless its removal would affect hallmarks or the watch itself. They're easily removed to look like they were never there for the most part, can't see them when you're wearing it, not a huge deal to me.

[Mikee]

No I will not wear the watch .BUT I will buy it ,if it good deal

[Alcan]

Yep, adds to the nostalgia.

As far as devaluing the watch, it cost me all of $70 to have Rolex Canada refinish the caseback and remove an inscription from an unworn GMT II presentation watch which I bought a while ago. A new caseback would have been $200, so either way we're not talking any serious money here.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by 104peterb

Hi all,

What are your opinions on names being engraved on case backs?

Would you ever buy a vintage watch with somebody else's name on it?

Personally it puts me off a bit, and annoys me when I see it on a nice watch. Happy to be persuaded otherwise though. It devalues a watch right?

Cheers

Peter

Not one bit.

[Vincent65]

I wouldn't mind one that said something like "Presented to Elvis Presley, 1968" or "John Lennon, 1965" on the back! Otherwise, I prefer without.

[77T]

Pawn brokers will tell an unwitting seller such things to drive down his cost to acquire a watch, but it is easily removed as others have said.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Storky]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I wouldn't mind one that said something like "Presented to Elvis Presley, 1968" or "John Lennon, 1965" on the back! Otherwise, I prefer without.

Ha! ... me too.
From experience it's normally easy to remove the engraving unless it is really deep or the case back is thin.

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by 104peterb

Hi all,

What are your opinions on names being engraved on case backs?

Would you ever buy a vintage watch with somebody else's name on it?

Personally it puts me off a bit, and annoys me when I see it on a nice watch. Happy to be persuaded otherwise though. It devalues a watch right?

Cheers

Peter

It depends. It can add value to a watch sometimes and give the piece interesting provenance.

This piece was owned by the underwater filming entrepreneur William Graham "Bumpy" Bell, who was also a grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. In this case the watch has his initials on the back, which is part of this watch's history and auction house identity.

Here is the watch:





Here are some pics of the watch and Bumpy underwater in the '50s or '60s:





And Bumpy at the track:



I also have some great articles that describe aspects of his career and life. Some of these the family sent me, and others I found by scouring the Internet and Newspaper logs using certain keywords. That to me makes the piece more interesting.

[skprd13]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

It depends. It can add value to a watch sometimes and give the piece interesting provenance.

This piece was owned by the underwater filming entrepreneur William Graham "Bumpy" Bell, who was also a grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. In this case the watch has his initials on the back, which is part of this watch's history and auction house identity.

Here is the watch:





Here are some pics of the watch and Bumpy underwater in the '50s or '60s:





And Bumpy at the track:



I also have some great articles that describe aspects of his career and life. Some of these the family sent me, and others I found by scouring the Internet and Newspaper logs using certain keywords. That to me makes the piece more interesting.

Awesome picture of your sub NoyB Beautiful watch my friend!

[JimSnyder]

I think it adds some soul to the watch

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by skprd13

Awesome picture of your sub NoyB Beautiful watch my friend!

Thank you

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

It depends. It can add value to a watch sometimes and give the piece interesting provenance.

This piece was owned by the underwater filming entrepreneur William Graham "Bumpy" Bell, who was also a grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. In this case the watch has his initials on the back, which is part of this watch's history and auction house identity.

Here is the watch:.

Nice..congrats

[U5512]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

Beautiful and amazing watch!!!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

It depends. It can add value to a watch sometimes and give the piece interesting provenance.

This piece was owned by the underwater filming entrepreneur William Graham "Bumpy" Bell, who was also a grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. In this case the watch has his initials on the back, which is part of this watch's history and auction house identity.



I also have some great articles that describe aspects of his career and life. Some of these the family sent me, and others I found by scouring the Internet and Newspaper logs using certain keywords. That to me makes the piece more interesting.

Stunning watch, and a great example of an engraving enhancing the provenance and overall appeal. I agree.

[watchcrank]

Not in the least :-). I even like if dated as as said above its part of the history & mystery of the watches life. & that BC is amazing! M

[Widows Son]

I have a few vintage pieces with engraving. Makes me kinda sad how a watch that meant enough to someone at one point to end up in my grimy paws rather than to another family member.

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Nice..congrats

Originally Posted by U5512

Beautiful and amazing watch!!!

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Stunning watch, and a great example of an engraving enhancing the provenance and overall appeal. I agree.

Thanks!

[dysondiver]

now that is , or was , a tool watch ,,, stunning.

[LunetteVerde]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I wouldn't mind one that said something like "Presented to Elvis Presley, 1968" or "John Lennon, 1965" on the back! Otherwise, I prefer without.

LOL! Don't we all wish for that mon ami 😬


♛lunetteverde@Instagram♛

[LunetteVerde]

This piece was owned by the underwater filming entrepreneur William Graham "Bumpy" Bell, who was also a grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. In this case the watch has his initials on the back, which is part of this watch's history and auction house identity.

Very cool, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍


♛lunetteverde@Instagram♛