Engraving back of watch question

[Andrewcel]

Hi,

I recently inherited a Rolex watch from a family member and wanted it engraved for personal reasons as a reminder of them.

So I took it to a local well respected jewellers to have engraved. No problems they told me. The watch back would have to come off and then be sent to the engravers - no problem, doesn’t matter if it takes a few weeks I told them.

So the watch comes back and is shown to me - with the watch back on at an incorrect angle - so the writing isn’t top to bottom - it goes side to side but at an angle. We both look at it a little puzzled and they say it can go back to the engraver to replace correctly

So a few days later I get a call where they explain to me that unfortunately it’s impossible to get the watch back on in exactly the same place as the thread will pick up at different places and isn’t therefore possible. I was pretty livid that they didn’t tell me this was the case at the time when I dropped it off.

So firstly - does this sound right? If I wanted it to be straight too to bottom I guess this is something that can be done?

Secondly they offered to buff out the engraving to return it to normal. If this happens I assume the back is then made thinner - would this be something to worry about?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I can’t believe I’m having to ask these questions, I thought something like this would be pretty easy to do!

[002]

That's not true. That isn't how screws works. All my backs go right back to where they came from. Only variable would be how tight, that could change the end position, but not by much.

[002]

Most likely they didn't mark a reference and it was done randomly.

[Tools]

No, it is not right.

There is a single continuous thread on both the back and the case. The threads are permanent and do not/cannot change. They will always engage at exactly the same place, always..

Whoever took the back off should have marked (indexed) it to the caseback so that the engraving would be indexed accordingly.

Of course, most of the time the engraving is not supposed to be oriented in any particular position or direction. It's a bit like the crown on the watch... does it really matter if it points left or right?

[JoseR]

[exador]

Interesting...here is the most famous case-back engraving of all time:



And here it is again. Someone did a little unscrewing?

[Andrewcel]

Thank you guys!

[Rocket_Man]

I had an engraved back and when it went to service it came back at an angle. I think it was just the gasket (which was probably changed) and how tight the back was installed. Didn't bother me. If you don't want the engraving I'd suggest getting an AD to order a new case back. They seem to be pretty affordable for a Rolex part.

[Mr. K]

Interesting, I always assumed that engraving should be straight. I never knew that it was OK for them to be crooked. If it were up to me I would want it to be straight. Rolex takes attention to detail, I would want an engraving I put on the back to be the same.

[Jim Smyth]

I own a Engraver and with my hobby do quiet a bit of engraving on finished products. I have a vise that has pegs on it with rubber hosing over the pegs so it doesnt scratch metal items. I would have engraved it straight without removing the case back and just removing the bracelet.

But if just the case back was sent to me I would expect a indexed line to where everything would be engraved to read straight when reinstalled. Engraving for me only goes down about .008 thousands into the metal and is easily sanded away (have had to this this many times to on refurb work) so its easy to remove and redo if needed. I dont think this would effect the strength of the watch.

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by 002

Most likely they didn't mark a reference and it was done randomly.

this: hard to believe no one was thinking..

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[Importer_Exporter]

I had mine engraved by the AD when I bought it. Looks like they just removed the bracelet and not the case back. Either way, it’s dead on straight so it is possible. That being said, you won’t see it most of the time so it’s really not a huge deal. Enjoy the watch and the memories it carries.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Importer_Exporter

I had mine engraved by the AD when I bought it. Looks like they just removed the bracelet and not the case back. Either way, it’s dead on straight so it is possible. That being said, you won’t see it most of the time so it’s really not a huge deal. Enjoy the watch and the memories it carries.

This is what I was thinking. Why remove the case back. I always thought simple engraving could be done with the back on to line up exactly as desired.

There may be something to the gasket change and position but I bet they put the same gasket back on or never took it off. Tools knows, I am not sure, but doesn't the gasket fit on the case not the back? The back just crews down into the case against it.

[watchman2029]

engraver made an error

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by Tools

No, it is not right.

There is a single continuous thread on both the back and the case. The threads are permanent and do not/cannot change. They will always engage at exactly the same place, always..

Whoever took the back off should have marked (indexed) it to the caseback so that the engraving would be indexed accordingly.

Of course, most of the time the engraving is not supposed to be oriented in any particular position or direction. It's a bit like the crown on the watch... does it really matter if it points left or right?

Yes the engraver just randomly started engraving. Bush league

[vesnyder]

I've had my engraving done 35+ years ago and a couple service visits ago it has been in multiple angles. I have no issues.

[Onikage]

Hard to get it to remain perfectly aligned I would think. After servicing tolerances could change, new gaskets etc. LOL Alignments threads are all the same. Some go nuts, others don't mind.

[abozz]

Is normal.

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