Getting black coating put on a watch.

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DrClckWrk

Joined
Sep 20, 2003
Messages
373
My girlfriend has a watch which she is very fond of, however it was inexpensive and had a very poor quality black coating that wore off quickly. Now it is just the silver metal and it looks bad so she doesn't wear it. I want to know if it would be possible to get a decent, longer lasting black coating put on it and how that could be accomplished or who I could send it to, etc.
I know you are thinking it is a cheaply made watch so throw it away and I would think the same thing but it has sentimental value and I'd like it to look nice so she can use it.

Any advise to this end would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-
Ryan
DrClckWrk
 
A while back I became interested in watches. I'm over it now but I was a member of a watch forum -
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440
You should ask here.
I know that this can be done but it's expensive. Watch has to be disassembled and there is a significant waiting period.
I can assure you that you would be better off picking out a nice watch for her on ebay. She will be very appreciative and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you presented her with a quality watch.
 
Moving to Gadgets & Gear.
 
averageguy said:
A while back I became interested in watches. I'm over it now but I was a member of a watch forum -
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440
You should ask here.
I know that this can be done but it's expensive. Watch has to be disassembled and there is a significant waiting period.
I can assure you that you would be better off picking out a nice watch for her on ebay. She will be very appreciative and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you presented her with a quality watch.
Click to expand...

averageguy thanks for the advice- I'll check out that watch forum. I'm not really into watches so I didn't even know where to start. She does have nicer ones, this is really just to restore a sentimental item. Thanks again.
 
DrClckWrk said:
....She does have nicer ones, this is really just to restore a sentimental item. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

When I was still a SERIOUS watch collector, I had a retired watchmaker restore dials and cases for me. I can ask him about your request. I can tell you right now - sentimental piece or not, the work will NOT be cheap.

What kind of "black" finish did the watch have originally? Anodized? Powder coated? Painted?

I had a matte-black finished Porsche Design chrono that was worn quite badly on the case and the bracelet. I wanted it refinished in black, but the cost estimate was literally out of this world. Instead - for only $150 - the remainder of the finish was "blasted" off right down to the titanium (case and original bracelet). Looks pretty good, I think.

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Let me know if you want to pursue the refinishing issue - I can pass on some very reputable names.
 
Thats why I love this place. I can ask about something obscure like this and several people will be kind enough to give me useful help on it. Much appreciated.

Midget- Thanks and I appreciate the great link.

cockroachfarm- Thanks for the generous offer. No need to contact anyone though, I am just feeling it out at this point and seeing what options there are. I had no idea until now how much it might cost, not surprised at the answer but it is more than I can afford right now. Thankfully, unlike me she never gets rid of anything so I can get back to it at a later date. :)

I think the original coating was some kind of paint. You could literally scrape it off in strips with a fingernail. Probably the cheapest possible manufacturing option.
Your watch turned out great after being blasted. I almost think I like it better than it would have looked black!?
The coating is all gone on hers which leaves a surprisingly nice surface but it doesn't look good with the rest of the watch at all.

In the end I think I'll just have to wait until I have more to spend on the project unless I find a much cheaper option but your advice will be put to use in the future.
Thanks again guys-
Ryan
DrClckWrk
 
DrClckWrk said:
....I think the original coating was some kind of paint. You could literally scrape it off in strips with a fingernail....
Click to expand...

Send me a PM. I'll find out what your options are.

IMHO, sentimentality should be encouraged. :)
 
2nd the suggestion of Jack at IWW :) I just sent him a Citizen Navihawk to sterilize and PVD along with some other mods. The PVD alone is approx. $150 if I remember correctly and time frame is approx. 3 months
 
Good Evening All-

If it is a very cheap watch with a corresponding cheap coating, wouldn't it be easier just to "repair" the existing coating with something similar?

Perhaps mask-off the crystal, winding stem, and clasp before shooting the watch with black Krylon paint. Once it hardens, the hammered finish should last for at least a few weeks. You can restore it occasionally until investing in a higher quality timepiece...

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays said:
.....You can restore it occasionally until investing in a higher quality timepiece...
Click to expand...

My understanding of this post is that it is NOT a question of wanting to invest in "a better quality watch" - but to "restore" an inexpensive watch because of its highly sentimental value.

The Krylon paint might work - but IMHO simply "masking" the crystal, etc. without taking the watch apart would result in too much of a "home-made" look. I'm pretty anal - and I wouldn't attempt it! ;)

(there might be a cheaper way of doing a proper job on this, and that's what I'm looking into right now.)
 
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