Watch Engraving Question

[davidshe]

Was wondering if any of you watch engravers out there would recommend an inexpensive watch that would cut pretty well? By inexpensive I don't mean a throwaway watch but something perhaps under $250. A bit more is ok but less would be better!
I have seen some fantastic engraving on this forum on Rolex and other high end watches but I have a client that would like to wear a hand engraved watch and would be happy with something simple. The engraving may cost more than the watch but that is ok. I would guess that a number of you have tried engraving on various watches that cut well and some that did not. Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[vilts]

There's probably a million of those out there. Just make sure it is with stainless case, but all $100+ ones should be. Then there's a question of the style, whether quartz or mechanical etc.

I haven't done many, but all the stainless ones I've touched are pretty hard, so be prepared to sharpen often.

Two of the inexpensive ones I've done are Sottomarino in pilot style and Invicta in "chronograph" and gold plated. Both were not too pleasant, but nothing very bad either (or I've already numb, done too much stainless lately, dunno).

 

[Beladran]

i have a rolex sea dweller that i have always wanted engraved but my skill set is not there yet

 

[zahar]

I do not quite understood a question, but if we talk about watches, here, stainless steel, gold-plated background.

 

[Ron Spokovich]

Always have a competent person remove the movement before beginning your work--numerous reasons for doing so. Make the right filler pieces from aluminum or brass before chucking, as engraver's vises have lots of power. A customer won't like to have a watch that quits shortly after getting his exquisitely crafted timepiece back. There's nothing like a beautifully done timepiece.

 

[monk]

never have done hand cutting on a wristwatch. not enough area on one to interest me. i've done quite a few pocket watches by hand. lots of work area, and none of that pesky stainless steel to fiddle with. i have done some cheapo work on wristwatches on the panto and laser. no real skill needed there, just quickie "money". newbies--- most cheap wrist watches have a brass or base metal case. hand cutting thru plating, whether high end or low-- cutting thru plating can produce flaking. a real mess.

 

[davidshe]

Vilts- very nice work!! Thank you for sharing. I have engraved plenty of titanium and stainless knife bolsters so I understand about having to resharpen and I don't mind. Have you noticed any difference in engraving more expensive watches such as Rolex?

Beladran - maybe you should go for it!

Zahar - nice work! Are those watches popular with your clients?

Ron - thanks for your input! Can you expand on how you use "filler pieces"?

Monk - thanks for your input... do you have any pics of the pocket watches you have engraved?

 

[Ron Spokovich]

The term "filler pieces" refer to disks lightly pressed, by finger pressure, that have been lathe turned after careful measurement has been obtained from the empty watchcase. They would occupy the space that housed the movement, and the crystal. Probably, you'd need two disks. Best material would be aluminum or brass, to prevent much scratching, and for ease of turning. You could file down some roundstock, if necessary, and maybe find flat washers at the auto parts stores. You don't want to distort the case. The same goes for firearms, as engraver's vises have a lot of power. You don't need much to hold, though, just enough to hold and you can use dry tablet paper on the pins to increase friction as long as it's dry.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Nope, you don't need any of that to hold a watch. In fact you don't need anything complicated at all.

A piece of round dowel that is about the same size of the watch. Melt thermolock a decent amount over the end and then press the watch into it and hold in vise. That covers the top side, bezel and lugs.

A piece of 1/2" wood that fits between the four lugs on the back and some leather covers the sides.

You can engrave while it is together or in parts.........preferably in parts as it's easier an less worry about damage control. But, if you do have to engrave it in one piece then a bit of imaginative use with thermolock over the crystal and the bit of wood mentioned above will do the trick.

You can engrave just about any stainless watch. Some will be better than others to cut. Some miserable and some pleasant and everything in between.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[davidshe]

Thank you Andrew for your explanation. I would assume that the quartz movement watches would be less subject to internal damage if they were engraved without taking them apart? I would guess it may not be cost efficient to have a $100 watch taken apart? Or maybe it is real easy to do yourself?

Vilts - can I ask if you took apart the Scottomarino and Invictus watches or did you engrave them in one piece? Thanks.

 

[Dimas]

I'm starting in these works, leave the sample of my first Orient watch.
If it serves as a sample,
Best regards.

 

[vilts]

Vilts - can I ask if you took apart the Scottomarino and Invictus watches or did you engrave them in one piece? Thanks.

I engraved the Sotto as assembled, just figured something out for the fixture, like Andrew described. The Invicta I had disassembled, just in case.

 

[davidshe]

I'm starting in these works, leave the sample of my first Orient watch.
If it serves as a sample,
Best regards.

View attachment 34051

Very nice work Dimas! Did you take this watch apart before you engraved it? Thanks.

 

[Dimas]

Thank you David, it is my personal clock, as he had never recorded a clock, I encourage some work of the Forum,
I'm working on another, soon upload it.

 

[zahar]

Thank you, Davidshe. Yes is. Some of these watches are made individually by the client. Starting from the mechanism to the corps.

 

[jiwilliams]

David

eBay is a possible source of midrange watches. I recently picked up a 1969 Bulova with a great case for engraving for not too much money. I also see new stainless cases for sale that take standard movements. You can essentially build your own watch.

JW
Houston

 

[davidshe]

David

eBay is a possible source of midrange watches. I recently picked up a 1969 Bulova with a great case for engraving for not too much money. I also see new stainless cases for sale that take standard movements. You can essentially build your own watch.

JW
Houston

Thank you JW. I will have to look into that. Looks like I will be learning a lot about watches along with engraving them!

 

[monk]

Vilts- very nice work!! Thank you for sharing. I have engraved plenty of titanium and stainless knife bolsters so I understand about having to resharpen and I don't mind. Have you noticed any difference in engraving more expensive watches such as Rolex?

Beladran - maybe you should go for it!

Zahar - nice work! Are those watches popular with your clients?

Ron - thanks for your input! Can you expand on how you use "filler pieces"?

Monk - thanks for your input... do you have any pics of the pocket watches you have engraved?

i think i sent a pic up to the archive quite some time ago. it was done in some really weird font. i think it was a monogram.