Pvd restoration: which company?

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befobe

·May 2, 2022

Hi OF,
Looking for advice to restore a black pvd on a Sinn142.
I guess I should ask to a watchmaker, who could have access to a company able to do that (and who would have to open the watch to send only the necessary parts to be coated).
But if you know "specialists", in Europe, it would help me...

(I'm located in France)

Thanks !

 

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Ron_W

·May 2, 2022

I think your watch looks great with the worn PVD, but if you want it restored contact Abel Court in Belgium - Heuertime i think, he had one of his watches PVD-ed so he should know where it was done, or can arrange it for you.

 

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befobe

·May 3, 2022

Thanks @Ron_W for this contact.
I will contact him, AND will think about your kind remark 😉... You're the third person to tell me to keep it like that...🙄

 

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watchyouwant

·May 3, 2022

And number 4 . Keep it the way it is. Tells a story.

 

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Ron_W

·May 3, 2022

befobe

Thanks @Ron_W for this contact.
I will contact him, AND will think about your kind remark 😉... You're the third person to tell me to keep it like that...🙄

Yes, your watch has earned it`s stripes and marks and shows it had a life with you. 👍

 

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Braindrain

·May 3, 2022

Here's an example of another vintage PVD case. I would never think of redoing the PVD. Looks awesome, as is.

 

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SkunkPrince

·May 3, 2022

If that is something you choose to do, the manufacturer might be worth contacting as well.

 

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befobe

·May 3, 2022

Step by step, I'm maybe changing my mind😁😁😁
@Braindrain : what is this excellent diver?... I never saw that...

 

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Braindrain

·May 3, 2022

befobe

Step by step, I'm maybe changing my mind😁😁😁
@Braindrain : what is this excellent diver?... I never saw that...

It's a Squale with a dial likely sold through an Italian military PX. The dial is the insignia from the Italian GRACO XIII unit. The case, itself, is EPSA and other brands who sold to the Italian the PX have been known to use it - like North Eagles. However, the Squale branded one pre-dates North Eagles.

There aren't a lot of them out there and, after hours of searching, I have only found one example (mine) with this dial. I managed to find someone in IT who sold it through EBay, many years ago, hoping he might have been the original owner. However, he wasn't and didn't know the history.

NB, Squale found a bunch of old (non PVD) cases about a decade ago and sold them off as NOS watches. I can't remember the reference number but I did think it was a pity that they didn't have NOS PVD ones. They are special in that they are EPSA cases and not the Asian made cases used by modern Squale.

 

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befobe

·May 3, 2022

👍👍👍

 

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bmpennington

·May 3, 2022

Stainless steel is easy to polish. Your watch looks like it came that way not scratched. It doesn't look bad in my opinion.

 

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Ron_W

·May 3, 2022

I think it sits in the ref 1553 series ? quartz and same partially recessed bezel from what i can see. I have seen dials for several military/gouvernement departments like Finance Ministery - Parachutist Folgore, and diver Comsubin but not sure if these were issued. Maybe just sold publicly.

 

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Braindrain

·May 3, 2022

Ron_W

I think it sits in the ref 1553 series ? quartz and same partially recessed bezel from what i can see. I have seen dials for several military/gouvernement departments like Finance Ministery - Parachutist Folgore, and diver Comsubin but not sure if these were issued. Maybe just sold publicly.

Yes, Ref 1553! 99.9% not issued. I did ask an Italian watch forum and the consensus there (for mine, anyways) was likely through the PX. They even sent me a pic (can't find right now!) of a "catalogue" of insignias that someone could have chosen in the PX.

Here are a few others that I've found, using the same case (the mil insignia ones are North Eagles branded) :

Edit: Found the example of insignias from the PX!This one being from DPW.

Edited: May 3, 2022

 

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Dsloan

·May 3, 2022

I'll cast another vote for leaving it be. I think a neo-vintage Sinn looks particular good with that type of wear. It's a tool watch that looks perfectly put to use, but not abused.

But, I understand your conundrum... I keep avoiding PVD myself because I know it will make that everyday wear very noticeable.

 

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Ron_W

·May 3, 2022

Great stuff !!
Dial-on-Demand so to speak 😀 but for me the PVD without insignia looks best 😎 Thanks for posting !

Braindrain

Yes, Ref 1553! 99.9% not issued. I did ask an Italian watch forum and the consensus there (for mine, anyways) was likely through the PX. They even sent me a pic (can't find right now!) of a "catalogue" of insignias that someone could have chosen in the PX.

Here are a few others that I've found, using the same case (the mil insignia ones are North Eagles branded) :

Edit: Found the example of insignias from the PX!This one being from DPW.

 

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dennisthemenace

·May 3, 2022

bmpennington

Stainless steel is easy to polish. Your watch looks like it came that way not scratched. It doesn't look bad in my opinion.

Really useful as usual.

 

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pmontoyap

·May 3, 2022

To the OP. It looks great as it is now, if it had way more wear I would consider a restoration 👍