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Question: engraving your timepiece(s)?

Springsteenfan
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Newbie here, owner of a Speedmaster 1863, and an Apollo 8 DSOM. Apologies if the question is inappropriate or considered sacrilege.

I wondered if you considered, or had actually had, your timepiece(s) engraved with something like your initials or name? I guess I’m wondering if others have considered marking their watches to commemorate their possession of the watch before it is passed on to the next bearer?

I can appreciate the notion that “With a timepiece, you merely look after it for the next generation.” I’ll be passing both my watches to my sons in the event of something happening to me.

Apologies if this is a stupid question, I’m just curious as to what others think, and if you had actually “marked” your watch somehow if you’d be keen to share how…and maybe include a pic as an example.

thanks for reading….looking forward to any discussion this might invoke.
 
Larry S
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If you are “The Boss”, scratch away! Otherwise I’d say no.
 
Evitzee
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My wife and I both have had our Reverso's engraved, but normally wouldn't do it on a conventional watch.

If you do do this have a professional engraver do it, not some mall jeweler.
Edited:
 
Dan S
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I would never consider doing this myself, but it's your watch, and you are free to do whatever you want with it. As an heirloom, it would make sense. But unless you are a celebrity, I don't think a non-family-member subsequent owner would appreciate the fact that you marked it with your scent.
 
vbrad26
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I have never considered engraving any of my watches.
Although I did get one engraved that was a for a "50 yrs of service" retirement gift.
And they did an absolute shit job. So if you do decide to get it done, do your homework!!!!!

1286549-82f639811b465381ed3c2fe2505a6a54.jpg

Yikes! I could have done a better job with my eyes closed. And this was from a pretty reputable jeweler in my area.
 
Scooterino36
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Personally no. But would consider an engraving as a gift to someone else.

In other words, I think it would be cool to receive an engraved watch as a gift, but would never engrave it for own ownership.
 
Longbow
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I have not just considered it, I have had it done, multiple times, on vintage Omegas! There is a little trick here. I have had high quality laser engraving done by Omega, only on service replacement casebacks, so that the personalization is reversible.

The latest iteration of this game is being done right now on one of my first projects here on OF, namely my Gold ‘69 Seamaster. The original caseback was in rather poor condition but I figured I was rarely going to look at it so it was never rectified. I changed my mind after hitting 25 years service with my current employer and thought that a good opportunity to finish the original project. So new 18k caseback plus “25 years …” as well as the other text that I have used in the past.
 
smoothsecondscom
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vbrad26 vbrad26
I have never considered engraving any of my watches.
Although I did get one engraved that was a for a "50 yrs of service" retirement gift.
And they did an absolute shit job. So if you do decide to get it done, do your homework!!!!!

1286549-82f639811b465381ed3c2fe2505a6a54.jpg

Yikes! I could have done a better job with my eyes closed. And this was from a pretty reputable jeweler in my area.

Oh god
 
smoothsecondscom
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Longbow Longbow
I have not just considered it, I have had it done, multiple times, on vintage Omegas! There is a little trick here. I have had high quality laser engraving done by Omega, only on service replacement casebacks, so that the personalization is reversible.

The latest iteration of this game is being done right now on one of my first projects here on OF, namely my Gold ‘69 Seamaster. The original caseback was in rather poor condition but I figured I was rarely going to look at it so it was never rectified. I changed my mind after hitting 25 years service with my current employer and thought that a good opportunity to finish the original project. So new 18k caseback plus “25 years …” as well as the other text that I have used in the past.

I think this is awesome feedback! Nothing wrong with engraving but especially with vintage or rare watches I think it is better to preserve originallity. Service / replacement casebacks seem like a good solution.
 
KnoP
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i thought of engraving my first watch with the special date i bought it for… but who knows what my children wanna do with it so i just keep the memory 😉
 
STANDY
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I got Omega to engrave the back of my Speedmaster….


5057EA87-0348-4FDF-A295-7D30F538BD3C.jpeg


That’s enough for me….
 
cvalue13
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Used to be far more common, when people viewed their watch as a personal tool rather than an article of commerce.

My grandfathers watch:

BCE77AF4-BA86-46A5-A738-24DD7B2A6E03.jpeg


I suppose the question for you is, are you defacing a currency or personalizing an heirloom? You are a celebrity to at least a few folks in the world.
 
vbrad26
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Aside from the watch I had engraved, I received an engraved watch from my grandfather.
It was engraved by his wife, my grandmother, for his 40th birthday - and I like having that message on the back of it.
 
Longbow
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cvalue13 cvalue13
.. are you defacing a currency or personalizing an heirloom?
Neither. Just marking my territory 😗
 
pumpernikiel
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I did it once - the watch was a gift for my wife and it was pretty personal, she loved and appreciated it and I am very happy about it. I hope we (or she) will never sell this watch and it will remain in the family as our beloved object. More interesting fact maybe that the engraving is on the saphire glass case back of the watch so you need pay atyention to actually see it.
 
Widows Son
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I would suggest buying an extra clasp or back. Have it engraved, and keep the original in the box.
 
sleepyastronaut
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vbrad26 vbrad26
I received an engraved watch from my grandfather.

Same here.

I like having that message on the back of it.
Edited:
 
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