Original Engraving of Cases and Value

[Grant Perry]

Hello,

I have a bit of a poll question for discussion..

I had never considered the value of a watch to be less because of original engraving done to the case; however now I wonder....

I have a watch listed on e-Bay and the original case is engraved on the inside and outside of the back with a date that matches the production date of the watch. I have been contacted by an interested buyer asking if I would consider a reduced price as he would need to buy a new case because of the engraving.

My question.....

Do you feel that engraving impairs the value of a watch if original?

I personally see it as part of the watches history and would not have seen it as a reason for a "discount".

[terry hall]

I have seen the watch for sale... in the images furnished.

Personally, I do not have a problem with it having the engraving.

To say it HAS to have a new case is a personal decision.... and the true motive behind the question can only be answered by the person asking. Anything posted here would just be second guessing this person.

There is one thing I question on the envraving itself...
why would the engraver use two separate styles of font on the inside?

it seems unusual in practice...

[Grant Perry]

Hi Terry,
It is a personal decision, and I don't truly care one way or the other.
If it were mine (and I guess at this point it is), I would choose to keep it original.
On the font, good question. I never really noticed that....
The Name and the word "From" are in the same font, so I wonder why mother would be different..... Strange... maybe the mother purchased it and wasn't sure when she would give the watch and later decided that Dec 30th would be a good date...Who knows :?|
g

[Fred Hansen]

This is a very interesting question and I think each collector's answer to it comes a lot from how they view this hobby.

Some collectors look at watches in terms of their actual use over the many years, and an engraved presentation like this adds history and character. These collectors would feel that part of what makes the watch interesting and special would be lost if the case was switched.

Some other collectors are most interested instead in owning watches that look like they were never used. Any aspect of the watch that reflects another's use or ownership is a negative to some of these individuals, and they would happily switch away from the engraved case if they could substitute it into a "new" looking case. It sounds like this is probably the viewpoint of the person that emailed you.

Many collectors probably fall somewhere between the two extremes and may drift more toward one or the other depending on the specifics of the particular watch.

For what its worth my own feeling with what you have shown would be to leave your watch exactly like it is.

This is a terrific topic though and I think one that each collector should consider, and this thread reminds me of a terrific discussion that Jerry Treiman started on this board and that can be viewed at this link ...

http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=3;gtid=22951

Fred


typo ...

[Grant Perry]

Thanks Fred,
I always wonder what the watches have been through....If only they could talk! I think original engravings help to shed a little light on the history.
I guess if I could choose between engraved and non-engraved I would choose non-engraved if it is an investment type watch; otherwise it doesn't bother me.
Now old watches with new engraving is a totally different story :~(
Regards,
Grant

[Paul Regan]

Grant, I see the first set of engraving as masculine and the second set as feminine. That would fit the from/to also. I personally like original tasteful engraving on a watch. I think it adds character. Paul

[Paul Regan]

This is what I mean as an example of tasteful engraving. This is on a D.H.&D in original case. Paul

[StanJS]

I view the buyer's question from a different light. He may/may not care whether or not the case is engraved. What he is doing is negotiating. A valid answer to his question is: "No."

Also, as you will witness above, there are buyers who have other feelings about engraved cases. If you are asking a fair price for your watch, it will sell.

Cheers,
Stan

[terry hall]

Grant, I see the first set of engraving as masculine and the second set as feminine.

Good Point Paul... taken....

[Dr. Jon]

If the engraving is original and reasonable well done, its part of the watch and if anything adds value. This is especially true if it ties to some one famous.

If it is of questionable originality (as in done by the dealer to hide something of outright forgery) or badly done, it diminishes the value.

However, if it was in a picture and buyer could see it, after the sale negotiation is out of line. The only exception is when the picture hides a defect. For example if the engraving cuts through or back and this is not shown the buyer would have a legitimate complaint. IF all the pictures needed for a an honest view of the engraving and how well it is done, the buyer saw what was for sale and has no business negotiating after the sale.

[Submarine Chief]

Watches that are engraved add to that mystique of "if it could just talk".It also offers an opportunity to do a little research.* Sentimental inscriptions can warm the feeling you get holdiing an old watch.* I also find myself asking, "How could someone let this get out of the family"?

[terry hall]

"How could someone let this get out of the family"?

yes, that is a question that deserves asking at times....

[Paul Regan]

Yes Terry, I have a Waltham '88 Maximus that has three generations of a prominent Long Island family engraved on it. Starting with 1899, followed by 1909, then 1941. How could it leave the family? Paul

[Fred Hansen]

Unfortunately all it takes is one generation to one day decide they value the $$ more than the family history and then it is gone.

Wonder how many regret this decision later on ...

Fred

[Kent]

Unfortunately all it takes is one generation to one day decide they value the $$ more than the family history and then it is gone.

Wonder how many regret this decision later on ...

Fred


There is more to it than that. I was once offered a Vanguard (to buy) by a railroading friend. It was his father's watch. He and his sister were childless. His father was an only child, so there were no cousins to pass it on to. He and his sister conferred and decided that since I knew them and would value a railroader's watch, I was the best choice that they could come up with.

[lak611]

I became interested in collecting railroad standard watches because I inherited one that belonged to my grandfather. Nobody in my family worked for the railroad. When I got the watch it did not run. I had it repaired and discovered it was an Illinois Bunn Special. Since then, I have added more of those, plus Waltham, Elgin and Hamilton watches to my collection. One of my Illinois Bunn Special watches does have an engraved case (owner's initials). I have no idea who the original owner was, but I did not care that the case was engraved.

I also have a BLE fob with the owner's initials engraved on the back. I actually cannot tell what the initials are, because the fancy script is difficult to read. I got the fob with a chain on ebay. The seller did not know anything about the fob. He gave details about the chain only. I really did not care about the chain, since it was not gold and not in very good condition. I got a really nice fob at a cheap price.