Poll: Do you guys really despise inscriptions that much?

Northernman · Jan 28, 2015

1 C
2 all options
3 yes a few.

Personally I do not really mind. A vintage watch is (normally) a pre owned watch.
I actually feel an inscription is an honest thing which is part of the watch history.
Knowing the name an dedication date of the original owner adds to background information. I really do not see why so many are put of by this.
But again that helps keeping the price down so please continue hating them😁!
Cheers!

Stewart H · Jan 28, 2015

1) B.
2) To obtain a very scarce piece or if the inscription was historically significant.
3) Yes - a US market Longines WEEMS with ancient re-dial. The inscription is dated some time in 1942 and was from a woman to her man. With the nature of the particular watch, there is every possibility that he was just about to go off to war. Whilst we will never know what happened to "Ham" I hope he wore the watch back rather than it being returned in a cardboard box.

Archer · Jan 28, 2015

Northernman
I actually feel an inscription is an honest thing which is part of the watch history.

Bingo - unless it is something very odd I have no problems at all with inscriptions.

Cheers, Al

agee · Jan 28, 2015

1. C especially one with a military type inscription
2. A vintage date and as above a military provenance and in some cases an award watch
The earlier the date the better to me. This give the watch a provenance and date of purchase
3. Yes I have a WWII watch with a military man's name and service number inscribed
Some WWI trench watches were used like dog tags-the inscription would have the owner's name and hometown/state of residence-supposedly to be used as ID in case of demise during battle
As a new military collector I passed on a watch with inscription from WWII-it was from the crew of the Finback to their Captain. This was the sub that rescued George Bush when he was shot down. The susequent buyer of that watch found a relative of the captain and gave the watch back to the family

Togri v. 2.0 · Jan 28, 2015

I honestly don't mind inscriptions what so ever as long as they are not homemade. I like vintage watches for the history. An inscription just makes me wonder, who the guys was and what he might have been up to in his life. Two identical watches with and without inscription, I would choose the one without, but words on the back would not stop me from buying a watch I like. I know this opinion is not shared by a lot of people. I would not get one done myself on a watch however, I think.

Stewart H · Jan 28, 2015

Stewart H
3) Yes - a US market Longines WEEMS with ancient re-dial. The inscription is dated some time in 1942 and was from a woman to her man. With the nature of the particular watch, there is every possibility that he was just about to go off to war. Whilst we will never know what happened to "Ham" I hope he wore the watch back rather than it being returned in a cardboard box.

To update this one with a picture:

ulackfocus · Jan 28, 2015

I'd buy a watch I really wanted if it had an inscription - if the price were right.

rhetoric · Jan 28, 2015

I have one which really speaks to me. Not sure what it particularly celebrates, but I reckon it adds to the value of the watch, to me. In fact it added to the appeal of the watch pre-purchase.

gatorcpa · Jan 28, 2015

1. C
2. A
3. Yes - but it has to have some artistic merit. Like these:

B8UmRgBmkKGrHqRhoEyrwUTWGNBM2uZTD4-_3.jpg~original

T2eC16NHJGIE9nnWpUhJBQLkCzqGw60_57.jpg~original

I would not purchase most of the 1960's and '70's corporate awards department engravings. Very plain. Hamilton did some nicer ones in later years:

Take care,
gatorcpa

bill5959 · Jan 28, 2015

I personally like the "scratched in " inscriptions . Someone in war or other extreme circumstances makes it their own. It would be my honor to respect that change and carry it on.

gatorcpa · Jan 28, 2015

bill5959
I personally like the "scratched in " inscriptions . Someone in war or other extreme circumstances makes it their own. It would be my honor to respect that change and carry it on.

You mean like this?

gatorcpa

bill5959 · Jan 28, 2015

Well.......uh no.

Emeister · Jan 28, 2015

1. C
2. Low price (super ridiculously low is my favourite)
3. Yes - "Love Pookie"

gatorcpa · Jan 28, 2015

bill5959
Well.......uh no.

Well, it is military...

http://www.usafe.af.mil/

Awarded for winning a basketball tournament. And the top of it looks like this:

gatorcpa

redpcar · Jan 28, 2015

ah. US ARMY. nice

Pvt-Public · Jan 29, 2015

Stewart H
1) B.
2) To obtain a very scarce piece or if the inscription was historically significant.
3) Yes - a US market Longines WEEMS with ancient re-dial. The inscription is dated some time in 1942 and was from a woman to her man. With the nature of the particular watch, there is every possibility that he was just about to go off to war. Whilst we will never know what happened to "Ham" I hope he wore the watch back rather than it being returned in a cardboard box.

I have this on a virtually unidentifiable Mohawk Watch Co. watch it was from an aunt I never met to an uncle I never met. unfortunately it did come home in a box. My mom says that box went unopened for several years. I just found the watch about a year ago.

alam · Jan 29, 2015

Keep sending your answers! 👍

Tony C. · Jan 29, 2015

I have no problem at all with what I consider to be reasonably attractive inscriptions, especially if they are interesting in some respect. That they tend to sell at a discount is a bonus. Here are two that I own, both gold watches, and they in no way inhibited my decision to buy.

woodwkr2 · Jan 29, 2015

I like the script in that one🙄. Very classy! Kinda makes me want to give my watches to someone so they can give them back to me with an engraving like that.

redpcar · Jan 29, 2015

Pvt-Public
I have this on a virtually unidentifiable Mohawk Watch Co. watch it was from an aunt I never met to an uncle I never met. unfortunately it did come home in a box. My mom says that box went unopened for several years. I just found the watch about a year ago.

Uncle apparently was a welder 😉