John Mayer - Black PVD Sea-Dweller?

[Singslinger]

A recent issue of the UK magazine Guitarist (Aug 2008 I think) has singer/guitarist John Mayer on the cover, wearing what appears to be a black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposit)-coated Sea-Dweller. My first thought is that it's a fake since Rolex don't offer a PVD finish but I've recently been told that Mayer is a big watch collector so it's likely to be a genuine. (Also, he's mega-rich, so it makes no sense for him to wear a fake).

Now, from what I understand, PVD-ing a watch's body is relatively simple, but it's very difficult to do it for the bracelet as well. As a result, a local dealer who offers a PVD service only does it for Panerais (cost is approx US$900) but not Rolex. However, he says that he's heard of someone in the UK who does offer a Rolex PVD service. I'm curious to know if this is true? Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks in advance.

[Z-Sub]

Seen that thread from UK. Will void all rolex warranty though

[Lamone]

I don't think John Mayer needs warranty on his Daytona.
He'll just buy a new one.

[masterkiller]

Hi,

http://www.discoverprohunter.com/

[Incurable]

Could be one of the Pro-Hunter watches.

[mathew r]

I like PVD Daytona, but only from Rolex though.

Lamone, that is a very good looking watch in your avatar!

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by masterkiller

Hi,

http://www.discoverprohunter.com/

Thanks to everyone who replied. It looks like Mayer's watch could be a Pro Hunter but I'm not convinced for two reasons. First, there are no red wordings on the dial of his watch and second, Mayer's Sea-Dweller appears to have the black PVD coating applied on the bracelet whereas the Pro Hunters' PVD coating is only on the body. They state in their website that they offer cloth straps instead. Maybe the only way to find out is to email the man himself...

Anyway, thanks again!

[scottschoe]

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

Not bad at all.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

Not bad at all.

Thanks for that. Looks like Mayer probably used the same service. And yes, it looks great, I must admit.

[Lamone]

Originally Posted by mathew r

Lamone, that is a very good looking watch in your avatar!

Mathew, thank you very much. I was about to sell and realized I couldn't part from it. It's got too much History.


I'd like a GMT with PVD coating.
I wonder if I could do it myself and save the $$, it's about $1G.

[Trurolexer]

Nice, but not for me...Sorry...

[Tareg]

Somehow I think it makes the watch look cheaper.

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

Not bad at all.

I love that watch, AWESOME. I want one NOW.
Anybody know where to get this done in the U.S.? I like the PCVD over the original Rolex finish better than the PVD over a bead blasted finish.

Marc

[vjb.knife]

Originally Posted by Lamone

Mathew, thank you very much. I was about to sell and realized I couldn't part from it. It's got too much History.


I'd like a GMT with PVD coating.
I wonder if I could do it myself and save the $$, it's about $1G.

You could do it yourself if you buy about $50,000 (rough estimate, probably very low) worth of equipment.

There are services that will do it for around $500. Search the web to find IWW Jack Alexeon in the USA.

DLC is a better, tougher finish that is used on some watches from the factory.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

Not bad at all.

I like the Submariners posted on this thread - very nice derivative of the Submariner!

[Parachrom]

I like the way it looks. What i dont like is that when the finish starts to wear and it will, and those little shiny spots come out, it will look like a bad fake of a real Rolex. One thing about SS or Gold, even if it is worn, its still identifiable as a real Mc Coy

[Ed Rooney]

If it wears out you can just fix it up with a sharpie marker and a toaster oven.

[Lamone]

Originally Posted by vjb.knife

You could do it yourself if you buy about $50,000 (rough estimate, probably very low) worth of equipment.

There are services that will do it for around $500. Search the web to find IWW Jack Alexeon in the USA.

DLC is a better, tougher finish that is used on some watches from the factory.

Thanks, indeed it's cheaper.
I'll look up IWW

[RsqVet]

They look good now. However as someone who has owned guns with about every coating out there; I can say sooner or latter this will wear / scratch and when it does getting it to look respectable again will involve a lot more than just a scotchbright pad.

The welded lugs are nice though, have offten though of doing this to a no-date sub --- newer of course so no confusion as to the replica nature of the beast.

[Air-King-2003]

JM did in fact get a Pro Hunter from Kamal at BJS. He also has them from Bamford and Sons in London.

[f16570]

I think it looks great, but concur that it will wear off over time and look tacky.

[astcell]

Why would it void the warranty? It's like getting paint on the watch.

[Solo118]

I am loving that PVD GMTC

[RsqVet]

It voids the warranty because rolex is just that way.

If they only voided the water resistance warranty it would be with good reason in my view due to the fact that the coating adds thickness to the critical O-ring grooves and interfaces, it COULD in theory matter. In all other ways though the movement / case are unchanged.

Thing that impresses me the most is they are doing 2 runs of 100 each of the daytona ... that is 200 of them they had to source somewhere.....

[SLS]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

Not bad at all.

Missed that post, but it looks sweet!
~Scott

[Incurable]

I've got a black PVD (gloss) watch and it still looks good after 2+ years. I've never really scratched it though, just normal wear and tear.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by astcell

Why would it void the warranty? It's like getting paint on the watch.

Yes, Rolex are finicky that way. A friend of mine took the steel bracelet off his Datejust and was wearing it for years with a (non-Rolex) leather strap but when he took the watch in to Rolex for a service, they refused to accept it because the strap was not original Rolex! So he took the strap off and guess what? They took it in!

[daytona1]

I found this on pro Hunters web site.

[Ken Cox]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Champthekid just posted his on TZ recently:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...4235&rid=26403

A no-date Sub all in black with white-only graphics.

Gosh.

How beautiful.

I'd like to know more about PVD, the process, hardness, etc.