View Full Version : Pvd Coatings for Rolex
Watch-Collector
08-27-2009, 04:00 PM
What is the consensus of opinion on having a watch blackened with PVD or a DLC coating ( Diamond Like carbon) ?
I have been looking at a couple of companies that do it and several issues jump out at me, although I have seen one -Prohunter Daytona fetch quite a considerable amount of money at a recent auction .
Is this a short term fashion thing or here to stay? Will watches devalue fast once fashion moves on ?
It certainly worries me that once a Rolex watch has been converted then any warranty would be invalid and and Rolex would refuse to service it in the future as far as I am aware!
Any thought and comments appreciated.
Watch-Collector
It's my understanding that the PVD process can be reversed and the DLC cannot. The DLC process also wears better and over time will show less wear, whereas the PVD will come off with wear...not sure I'd like the look of that after a while. Having recently handled a DSSD that had undergone the DLC process, I think its pretty neat. Not sure that I would have one of mine go through this process, but it certainly makes it a unique piece.
Scott
I'll have to admit that some of the results can look pretty striking.
BUT...I'm sure this is just a fad and will the watches devalue when the fashion changes? You bet they will.
As for whether Rolex would work on the watch in the future - well, you know that you don't really need Rolex to service a watch...and you'd be pretty unlucky to need warranty work done.
The one I was fortunate to handle came on a matching Nato band, which gave it a really rough & rugged look.
Scott
Watch-Collector
08-27-2009, 06:05 PM
Yes the DLC coating is much more resilient compared to PVD . BUt having say an older watch coated does limit you in terms of service options particularly when it comes to possibly selling the watch and its only had third party service intervals. We all know how comfortable it is having a few RSC certs accompany a watch..
Bearing in mind the companies I have checked out offering what seems an expensive DLC coating will only work on New unworn watches and require only the base metal parts so once a watch has been dis assembled it possibly could provide a future waterproofing issue to argue about that Rolex would not be interested in stepping into!.
Henrythe8th
08-28-2009, 09:03 AM
I'll pass on both the black finishes.
Unless done by Rolex, it's an aftermarket modification - I try to keep my Rolex's as original as possible.
Regards
Rolesium
08-29-2009, 12:49 AM
What is the consensus of opinion on having a watch blackened with PVD or a DLC coating ( Diamond Like carbon) ?
One word: Yeccchh.
-James
MattB
08-29-2009, 06:08 AM
Personally I don't like changing anything o the original look of a watch.
My all time favourite watch is a Rolex GMT C I just love the look of the face the 24 hour hand the bezel for me personally it is perfect.
Rolex would have spent months and a considerable sum of money with designers using the latest technology to get that look what they perceived to be the best it ever could be.Its design has evolved over many years of subtle refinement from an absolute classic copied by many but never equalled.
I am buying into that design philosophy for me to change the appearance in anyway defeats the point.
So for me they stay as nature intended but at the end of the day its your watch and you can do with it what you want.
Trends and fashion change that is there nature.
Elroy
09-05-2009, 03:54 AM
A little while ago, there was a Deepsea with a DLC coating, done as a special edition by a third party. It looked unbelievably good.
One word: Yeccchh.
-James
James - I didn't know you spoke Yiddish! :D
Rolex Fan
09-07-2009, 07:19 AM
James - I didn't know you spoke Yiddish! :D
Harb,
fershtay a bissel yiddish?
(do you understand a little yiddish?)
i am not fluent but (ich fershtay a bissel ich reddin a bissle)
i speak a little and I understand a little
Larry*
09-07-2009, 06:26 PM
One of the charms of a Rolex is that whatever finish you have, it is all the way through.. It cn be refinished over and over again..
Not so with the coatings.. They are microns thin and if the scuffs on my watches are any indication....... after a couple of years it will look pretty well beat up and there is no way to fix that short of another expensive coating operation.......
Harb,
fershtay a bissel yiddish?
(do you understand a little yiddish?)
i am not fluent but (ich fershtay a bissel ich reddin a bissle)
i speak a little and I understand a little
Esyay, Awrencelay, emay ootay...;)
Rolesium
09-08-2009, 09:18 PM
James - I didn't know you spoke Yiddish! :D
Just a few choice words :-)
Now, pardon me, I've gotta schlep the groceries in.
-James-
Just a few choice words :-)
Now, pardon me, I've gotta schlep the groceries in.
-James-
You, James, are a mensch, without doubt...:)
A little while ago, there was a Deepsea with a DLC coating, done as a special edition by a third party. It looked unbelievably good.
If it was done by Phillip, that was the same that I handled at the Carmel GTG. Very nicely done.
Scott
hsfrank
09-10-2009, 03:30 PM
Harb,
fershtay a bissel yiddish?
(do you understand a little yiddish?)
i am not fluent but (ich fershtay a bissel ich reddin a bissle)
i speak a little and I understand a little
Funny you don't look Jewish ( an old joke punchline.) ROFL!
rolexdubai
09-11-2009, 02:56 AM
Im way to much a purist! Jus hate any kind of modifications... really messes up the soul of the watch! lol :)
MarcJ
09-21-2009, 09:41 AM
Like this Seth?
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/marcjefferies_photos/misc019.jpg
DLC is fully reversible by the way
Marc
... really messes up the soul of the watch! lol :)
Like this...?
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/marcjefferies_photos/misc019.jpg
Now that watch has sold its soul to the devil...
Ozlanka
09-22-2009, 12:59 PM
A few months ago, I saw a photo of Bill Clinton, the husband of Hillary, sporting a Pro Hunter.
3 different Rolex sports models came on sale in Japan with the black finish.
Limited edition of 100 each. They sold out in a week or less.
Not my cuppa. I am very much in favour of not messing with a watch.
Im way to much a purist! Jus hate any kind of modifications... really messes up the soul of the watch! lol :)
I agree.
It is possible for many things to look OK on a Rolex. You could even hang little bells on the strap.
But part of what is special for me is the reserved conservatism, which strangely even shows through in those very odd leopard skin daytonas.
As soon as you start to mess with them, add a dial, or a blingy bezel. They seem to loose identity and take on an almost vulgar irreverence.
Bit like a bishop in a pair of levis.
subsea-sub
09-23-2009, 03:21 AM
any type of coating is a no no IMO , i wear my rolex as a work watch and can say without a doubt that ANY coating i had on it would look worn within 1 month!! anyway the SS sports models look fine as they are.
cheers
mike
tycho1
09-23-2009, 10:32 PM
Yeah... but what a way to go! Great look!
Yeah... but what a way to go! Great look!
Actually....errmm...I've a bit of a confession to make...ermm...apart from the "X" on the dial, I think that SDDS looks great...
You'll find me standing by the nearest cliff...
subsea-sub
09-24-2009, 05:41 AM
i think it looks ok too harb, just dont think pvd is good on a tool watch for the practical side of things, if however, its just worn as a dress watch then fair play
cheers
mike
And to bring this Thread up to date, the ProHunter MG...
http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1066&d=1255859578
Your thoughts, guys...?
FJyota
10-18-2009, 08:49 AM
And to bring this Thread up to date, the ProHunter MG...
http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1066&d=1255859578
Your thoughts, guys...?
My thoughts? Why mess with perfection? Rolex got it right with its design.
james.uk
10-22-2009, 03:28 PM
i do like DLC especially that SDweller but i dont think i'd ever have the balls to do one of mine...if i had two of the same model knocking about then maybe... but i'm unlikely to be that rich anytime soon!
Just to tie this recently posted pic in with this Thread...
http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=1064&d=1255858844
nemuu
10-26-2009, 09:49 AM
I actually think the Pro-Hunter Milgauss is sharp as hell.
http://blog.jameslist.com/2009/staying-in-the-limelight-rolex-milgauss-pro-hunter/
scooba
11-02-2009, 01:57 PM
I had some dealings in the early part off 2000 with the guy behind the prohunter series of Rolex ,He has another rolex outlet called www.bjsonline.com ,He bought and sold rolex sports and was/is a specialist on Daytonas
A really nice honest guy he had a booth in greys antique market in london ,The prohunter is a high end custom Rolex it isnt to everyones taste but i like it
geoff malter
11-02-2009, 02:22 PM
I had some dealings in the early part off 2000 with the guy behind the prohunter series of Rolex ,He has another rolex outlet called www.bjsonline.com ,He bought and sold rolex sports and was/is a specialist on Daytonas
A really nice honest guy he had a booth in greys antique market in london ,The prohunter is a high end custom Rolex it isnt to everyones taste but i like it
Interesting web address; not sure if it would be as good as the real thing, however. Hell, I KNOW it wouldn't! ;)
Interesting web address; not sure if it would be as good as the real thing, however. Hell, I KNOW it wouldn't! ;)
LOL!! It'd be pretty safe, that's for sure...;)
scooba
07-19-2011, 01:19 PM
Yes the DLC coating is much more resilient compared to PVD . BUt having say an older watch coated does limit you in terms of service options particularly when it comes to possibly selling the watch and its only had third party service intervals. We all know how comfortable it is having a few RSC certs accompany a watch..
Bearing in mind the companies I have checked out offering what seems an expensive DLC coating will only work on New unworn watches and require only the base metal parts so once a watch has been dis assembled it possibly could provide a future waterproofing issue to argue about that Rolex would not be interested in stepping into!.
There is a lot off confusion around , PVD is the coating process it is not the finish it is how the finish is applied
DLC or Diamond Like Carbon is one off the finishes and proberbly the most common.
Another thing the coating thickness is 1 micron so I cant see it having a issue on re assembly off the watches .
The cost is rediculous ,The quotes I have had are £3000 plus vat on a watch supplied by me or £3k if they supply a watch , The companys charge Rolex list price and we all know someone who can get us big discounts on most sports
£3600 on a ceramic sub is silly finished watch circa £8k.
I have found some nice finished items in the US at much more sensible prices
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