Darren
Elite Cafe Member
Beautiful restoration to the back piece of the watch Arnaud. I am sure the costumer was very pleased. Great Job!
So Kevin, would it have been better to leave the engraving on the watch back or not? Either way it would appear that there will be a problem when it comes to reselling a watch of this calibre so it's a bit of a Catch 22 situation unless a new back is purchased at huge expense.
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There are two options.
1) Leave it alone. Inscriptions on expensive collector watches is not the kiss of death many people think it is. But you will lose some potential customers who want to give the watch as gift. Not so much though on watches older than 40 years or so. Many people will buy a vintage watch as a gift, even though it has a vintage personalized inscription. On a watch of this age, I think the inscription did lower its value. By that I mean for resale purposes I would pay extra $1000 for an example never inscribed versus the one posted with the inscription. $4000 extra? No, I would take the one with the inscription. Would I buy the watch now with a $5000 discount? No. For reasons stated in my previous post, and not because of my personal opinions, but for strictly business reasons.
Option 2) Take the watch to a Jeweler with a great reputation that has experience removing inscriptions by laser welding 18k (not solder) of the right color. Before he does the job, verify the color match. 18k yellow comes in subtle and not so subtle color differences. Go over the job details carefully, including that the inside of the case must not be damaged or polished. Expect to pay $500 to $1500. For a less expensive watch the jeweler would charge less, since his liability is less. Then hold your breath. If done right, and not just "good", Audemars would have no problem servicing the watch.
Last week I bought a Audemars Piquet man's wrist watch with a vintage monogram and dated "April 6, 1926" if my memory is correct on the exact date. Audemars still considers my watch to be "theirs", and feel they have the right to decide what work they will do to it, or not work on the watch at all. Not much choice is given to the customer or owner of the watch. This is the standard practice of the expensive Swiss makers today.
Marcus quote from above post:
"But so long as it was sold with the caveat that it wasn't the "original condition" back I can't see a problem."
It is a big problem since Audemars won't service the watch unless the back is replaced.
This watch is not like a car. Audemars will not sell parts to independent watchmakers in the USA. Nobody makes aftermarket replacement parts for this watch, so you are stuck with going by Audemars rules.
Plus, you are opening yourself to a "he said she said" arguement. Who needs it?
Hopefully I have made things clearer. Jewelers should be aware of the possible issues with watches before removing inscriptions.
Most of of what I have said does not apply to pantogragh inscriptions on steel watches, whatever the brand. Due to the hardness of the steel, and since metal is displaced more, rather than removed, they can be removed, and if done properly Rolex or Audemars or anyone else would not know it or care.
You also say that an nice engraved back doesn’t lower the value of that watch,
arnaud