Getting your watch engraved - who's done it?

justbecauseIcan · Feb 22, 2015

I am playing with the thought of getting my case back engraved with a sentence/motto that has some importance to me.

It would make sense to have this done by someone that knows their trade to ensure a beautiful finish. Also, I would not want the case back engraved with the watch attached to it, so it has to come off. Which means the watch would sit around without a case back while it's sitting at someone else's desk to be worked on.

So I am thinking about sourcing a second case back, have that engraved, then swap it with the original (which I could keep as a spare). My case back is completely blank with no other writing on it, leaving a lot of canvas for the artist.

Has anyone done this? I would be interested to see how your engravings turned out and grateful for any tips on what to consider.

OkeefenokeeJoe · Feb 22, 2015

First of all, I would never engrave any of my watches. Unless you are going to be buried with it, the next person in line to wear that watch may not have the same sentiments as you regarding the engraving. I certainly would not want to purchase a watch with a bunch of foo-foo scratched on the back.

Secondly, engraving is not so much an art-form as it is technical. Anyone with the right stenciling/engraving equipment and an eye for spacing can engrave the back of a watch. It is not something that is done free-hand, requiring an artisan's deft touch. Trophy shops are (generally) good places to do engraving.

Good luck, and hope this helps.

OkeefenokeeJoe

mpalmer · Feb 22, 2015

j

While true, engraving can be done free hand for a price by those in the know. If it were a watch with a great deal of sentimental value, it might be worth the additional cost to go beyond the trophy shop...

justbecauseIcan · Feb 22, 2015

I am not at all concerned with whoever else likes my engraving or not. In the above case, I would also have a spare case back if everything in my life falls apart and I need to sell it to buy bread. I am still trying to find out how much that would cost, to know whether I'd just engrave the case back that is on it instead.

I have seen some nasty engravings around, would love to have something along the lines of a proper watch engraving (as many watches have it to talk about the moon or water resistance or other important things).

cedargrove · Feb 22, 2015

Assuming your watch is a Rolex, I would suggest contacting them. My understanding is that Rolex has a recommended list of engravers.

Personally I like the idea. I've seen some very cool engravings.

I've always intended on engraving my Milgauss but never decided what to have engraved. The movement on my Dornbluth has my initials engraved by the maker, which nicely personalizes it.

iam7head · Feb 22, 2015

cedargrove said:
Assuming your watch is a Rolex, I would suggest contacting them. My understanding is that Rolex has a recommended list of engravers.

Personally I like the idea. I've seen some very cool engravings.

I've always intended on engraving my Milgauss but never decided what to have engraved. The movement on my Dornbluth has my initials engraved by the maker, which nicely personalizes it.

As far as I know Rolex doesn't have a list or at least that's what they told me.

On the other hand JLC would do engraving on certain model such as the Reverso for free, usually 3 letter/number initial or they can follow your artwork as long as it doesn't have any profanity or trademark(like mickey mouse's head or a .... swastika)

Another option to do a thin layer of laser engraving, it's more precise and as long as you don't do it too deep you can have it polished off in case you want to see the watch.

little big feather · Feb 22, 2015

I'm taking my Day-Date in Tuesday the 24th to have it done.
Read my thread in the Tudor Rolex sub-forum....

Hand engraved...Not machine engraved.

justbecauseIcan · Feb 22, 2015

Nice, will have a look!

briabea · Feb 22, 2015

I just ordered a watch for my Son to commemorate what a fine young man he is becoming. I have contemplated the same thing. Please keep us posted.

justbecauseIcan · Feb 22, 2015

I encourage you to do so, most of the things my dad gave me over the years has engraving on it, and it makes it a lot more special. Like a swiss army knife with engraving - it's still more than just a useful tool after some years of owning it.

sticky · Feb 22, 2015

Have the engraving done by a jeweller and one that is used to doing watches. Ask to see a sample of his work and the fonts that are available to you. Write down EXACTLY what you want engraved and after the job is done check it carefully to ensure that the engraving is what you specified and that it is done correctly.

Ard · Feb 22, 2015

Very timely thread as I am deep into a custom design / built watch. My case back is blank, I don't intend to personalize with a prhase but will be doing basic information about the watch on the case back.

WeylandYutani · Feb 22, 2015

I saw a picture of a Longines Legend diver with an engraved back. It looked AMAZING.

I'm kicking myself for not saving the picture, maybe you can find it in the subforum.

WorthTheWrist · Feb 22, 2015

I was thinking of noting on my first watch of any real substance, a Citizen Eco-Drive chronograph, that it was the watch I was wearing when my son was born. Then again, I already know that, and can let him know that, so is that really something I need to engrave on it?

Pallet Spoon · Feb 22, 2015

Hand engraving is the way to go for a keepsake. If done by the right individual it is stunning and IMHO can add value to a watch. I have some work in with this engraver now; Andrew Biggs of Auckland, New Zealand. He does engraving full time and is probably one of the more famous names in the trade. Personally I never tire of looking at his work.

There are people stateside who do comparable stuff. David Riccardo is one of them. There is also an engravers forum (much like this one) where people post their tips and tricks as well as their work:

The Engraver's Cafe - The World's Largest Hand Engraving Community

You will likely find a few names and maybe even someone local to you there.

A bit of fun for those thinking what I was when I opened this thread ... yes, it can get pricey

:

Dan83bz · Feb 22, 2015

Pallet Spoon said:
Hand engraving is the way to go for a keepsake. If done by the right individual it is stunning and IMHO can add value to a watch. I have some work in with this engraver now; Andrew Biggs of Auckland, New Zealand. He does engraving full time and is probably one of the more famous names in the trade. Personally I never tire of looking at his work.

There are people stateside who do comparable stuff. David Riccardo is one of them. There is also an engravers forum (much like this one) where people post their tips and tricks as well as their work:

The Engraver's Cafe - The World's Largest Hand Engraving Community

You will likely find a few names and maybe even someone local to you there.

A bit of fun for those thinking what I was when I opened this thread ... yes, it can get pricey :

Speechless! That looks awesome!

Am I correct in thinking that the engraving costs more than the watch itself in the case of this Magrette? :-s

P.S. Silly me, I see now this is how these watches come from the factory, already engraved, very neat! I guess it's somehow included in the higher pricing being a limited edition and all.

justbecauseIcan · Feb 22, 2015

Great stuff!

I have to investigate the gentleman mentioned by Pallet Spoon - Auckland NZ is just a 3h flight away and it's never bad to visit a new city.

Meanwhile, I got an email reply from a jewellery engraver nearby, in a confidence inspiring location, he wants A$1.50 per letter (which strikes me as much cheaper than expected), must probe further now to hear more about the technique he uses as I am really keen on careful hand engraving. Got a very nice looking reference image but there's none available on a watch per se.

I think it's an exciting thing to do to a timepiece.

justbecauseIcan · Feb 28, 2015

I quickly want to update on this matter.

I visited the engraver and saw a few examples, also on a watch he had there, and will have it done on Wednesday.

Hayseed Brown · Feb 28, 2015

little big feather said:
I'll add mine too....Mine will be back 7 March.

Nice. I would love to see some hand engravings, but assume they are rarely shown on such sites for the personal information they'd reveal. Also, if it's an engraving TO someone, that's most probably best kept between the gifted and recipient.

little big feather · Feb 28, 2015

I'll add mine too....Mine will be back 7 March.

bloody watches · Feb 28, 2015

Please take your time
a good hand engraver or diamond engraver will/should be able to draw out a template of what you are wanting
done well it increase the desirability of your watch, not the dollar value

93EXCivic · Feb 28, 2015

I am building a watch for a friend that I had the case engraved on by a guy in Estonia.

little big feather · Feb 28, 2015

Nice work '93....What mvmt. are you putting in the watch? If you don't mind me asking..:roll:

Getting your watch engraved - who's done it?

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