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31 August 2010, 09:25 AM | #1 |
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DLC, DPV coating service, where? How much?
Hello, can you guys point me in the right direction? (I know its not everyone's cup of tea here, just wanted to get some idea on prices). TIA
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31 August 2010, 09:35 AM | #2 |
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I think Time & Gems here in L.A. does it.
My bartender has a black Subbie he got from them and I think he said they did it. You can find them online. |
31 August 2010, 09:36 AM | #3 |
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Thanks, was hoping to find a reputable/recommended service vs. sending my watch to someone i found online and then wondering if i'll ever see it again.
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31 August 2010, 09:45 AM | #4 |
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They are supposed to be good people.
My bartender has known them for some time, and if you can't trust your bartender who can you trust?! |
31 August 2010, 12:48 PM | #5 |
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Project x is a winner my uncle did it to his omega seamaster, looks great he wanted to do it to ss daytona but I would have killed him :p
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31 August 2010, 12:51 PM | #6 |
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From what I hear, it's not as expensive, as it is time consuming. If you can handle the turnaround time, then I would go for it.
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31 August 2010, 01:05 PM | #7 |
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jack from internationwatchworks.com is the best in the biz. known for his flawless work on many watch forums.
i have seen time and gems pvd watches. i have seen better work.. they refinish the watches before pvd.. to me, their refinish job just doesnt look right. also as far as i know i dont think they offer bead blasting as an option as not one of their watches has it done or doesnt say anything about it in their listing.. some people will claim to do it out there in the world but will use an outside watchmaker to dissesemble, then a company to dlc, so they are kind of like a broker. project X did my crown gaurd removal for me. it wasnt cheap. they are the only ones that offer such a mod and obviously know how to do it correctly. it's alot of risk involved so i didnt mind paying the price for this option. but their prices on other things are very very high.. i was a big fan of their work until i did biz with them. danel bourn "owner" of project x was terrible with communication. i'm in the usa so calls to him were not cheap. he almost never looks at his emails and when he does reply, he doesnt even answer your questions, just picks one question out of the email and answers it. I can say for sure he does not care at all about bespoke options i.e. "send in orders" he offers it, but its not his first priority or 2nd or 3rd not even a distant 4th or 5th.. his prices on pvd are rediculous. time in gems or jack at iww are half the price. i can honestly say i did a fair amount of research before i had mine DLC coated. i have heard jacks name in the watch world for over 3 years. he isnt new to this game. the only set back is, it takes a very long time. mine took almost 3 months. but it is so worth the wait when you see how perfect he made it. most companys with quick turn around time with DLC i just dont trust the QC.. anyways i hope any of my info helps. goodluck to you. |
31 August 2010, 02:37 PM | #8 |
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heres a nice shot of the fixed bars.
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1 September 2010, 12:30 AM | #9 |
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Outstanding! That is one of the sexiest subs I've seen (after my gf ofcourse, haha). But, seriously.... I called the place in LA (Gems) and they quoted me $2k! Um..... I know its not cheap but I have not been here since breakfast (ok, I have on this forum).
So, what is a fair market price for this service? I do not need the bracelet/band done. TIA |
1 September 2010, 01:12 AM | #10 |
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You do not want to do this, trust me.
Why would you want to pay serious dinero to have your Rolex turned into a replica of a black plastic Casio and end any possibility of its ever being serviced by Rolex again?
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1 September 2010, 01:24 AM | #11 |
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Hm....well, it would not be a Rolex, but even if it was.... I like the look? I'm just kicking the idea around for now, thats all.
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1 September 2010, 01:39 AM | #12 |
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I'll admit I personally like the look of a black SS watch,
(I was kidding a bit about looking like a plastic Casio), in fact I have one SS watch that is black. It came that way from Sinn, their 856S. Sinn's watches are real bargains, and they generally are available with hardened SS that's as scratchproof as sapphire (1800 Vickers), in either silver or black finish. They use ETA movements, but then so do Tudors. My 856S is a deep jet black, and the finish is so hard I wore it for 3 years straight without as much as a single scratch or scuff showing up anywhere, including the bracelet. My gf finally told me to take the damn thing off my wrist before she killed me.
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1 September 2010, 01:48 AM | #13 |
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PVD is reversible and DLC is not. The PVD will show scratches and the DLC will not. I believe Jason has had it done to one of his SD's....I'm sure he'll chime in shortly.
Scott
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1 September 2010, 02:00 AM | #14 |
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OK, this is good.... Lets clear this up. I thought DLC was Diamond Like Coating and the process through which it was achieved was PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition.
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1 September 2010, 07:00 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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1 September 2010, 07:32 AM | #16 |
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I personally think it does make the watch look at least £50($77). Not my cup of tea or coffee.
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1 September 2010, 07:44 AM | #17 |
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I die a little inside each time I see a PVD Rolex.
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1 September 2010, 07:47 AM | #18 |
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I can appreciate that it is a look a lot of people will like but Rolex will never touch ANY of these hybrids. No warranty, no servicing, no backup. You'd be on your own. No official retailer or authorised workshop/watchmaker could officially work on one of these watches. If found to be doing so, they could face severe repercussions from Rolex Geneva.
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1 September 2010, 07:58 AM | #19 |
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I like the look, but I'm worried that this whole PVD thing with watches is just a passing fad, and they will be out of favour in a few years time.
But.........if you like it, and intend to keep hold of it, then fairplay to you. |
1 September 2010, 08:05 AM | #20 |
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You guys are cracking me up. I like this thread. OK, everything I own is black... I mean, BLACKED out, so I don't think this fad will get old for me.....going on 10+ years. Its a matter of personal taste right? Service? I'm sure I'll be able to find someone reliable enough....
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1 September 2010, 08:22 AM | #21 |
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That would be correct, but DLC stands for Diamond Like Carbon. PVD is one of the ways to "apply" a DLC coating to something from my basal understanding.
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1 September 2010, 08:27 AM | #22 | |
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Quote:
If I'm going to pay top dollar for a watch I want only the most qualified person working on my watch not some guy who likes to tinker and cannot get authentic replacement parts if needed.
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1 September 2010, 08:37 AM | #23 |
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There are also plenty of horror stories from people who took their watches to ADs and RSCs.
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1 September 2010, 08:54 AM | #24 | |
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If you take your watch to an non-Rolex certified watch repairer and something goes wrong your stuck. I wouldn't let him fix it again so now I have to find and pay someone else to fix his mistake and try to get my money back from him. No thanks. Everyone has their own preference and mine is to stick with the people who made my watch.
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2 September 2010, 01:44 PM | #25 |
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2 September 2010, 02:03 PM | #26 | |
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Quote:
pvd is the process of which the coating is applied. it stands for "physical vapor deposition" DLC is a new coating that is more updated and stronger than the older coating being used by panerai and other companies.. the older coating would wear over time, wheres DLC is harder yes and stronger yes. i'm unsure of what exactly the coating panerai used as they were one of the first of watch companys to start doing this as well as audemars and a couple select others.. they adopted this PVD application method from the military. but the coatings was something they had to formulate them selves. being that any coating can make parts of the watch slightly thicker on the surface, the watches would not fit together. So the formula more or less turns the top layer of the steel black. there for not disturbing the fit of the parts. DLC is newer and different. More people are using DLC which stands for Diamond Like Carbon to be honest, panerai knows about their method of PVD and that it shows wear over time. which is why panerai is developing flat black ceramic watches in a very expensive and limited lineup. ceramic doesn’t scratch or wear. it looks new forever. but the only problem is, that if hit hard enough could crack. in the future i see panerai making more watches in ceramic and discontinuing their PVD lines altogether. DLC treated watches like my watch, if hit hard enough can show the silver color of the steel from under... there are pleanty of good watch makers out there just as qualified as rolex... nothing is going to happen to my watch within the 2 year warrenty... and if something does, big deal, ill get it fixed. i bought this watch not to keep the green bezel in it and have a watch that many others have, i bought this watch to make it different, to make a conversation peice.. i have many other watches that are stock. i dont think it hurts to have one custom watch in a collection. many movie stars have PVD treated rolex's, mainly the pro-hunter. bill clinton owns a PVD sub, john mayer, there are alot, just google it. they are cool watches. imagine purchasing a 30 grand pvd treated audemars roo or a 20 grand panerai thats been pvd treated... does it make it bad>? does it mean they look like "casios" it will all show wear and tear. every watch does. when mine looks beat up few years from now, ill get it re treated and it will look brand new again. anyways thats just my 2 cents on the matter. |
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2 September 2010, 02:09 PM | #27 |
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panerai has been doing this for almost 20 years now.. its still going strong.
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2 September 2010, 02:10 PM | #28 | |
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Quote:
talk to jack at IWW. im not going to quote anything on his behalf, but he is very fair and his work is better then many others charging double the amount |
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3 September 2010, 12:42 AM | #29 |
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Subking, agree with you.... Jack did get back to me and said he is unwilling to do it to an Omega b/c he had problems in the past with the watch fitting back together. I can respect that. I will do it to a used sub in the future (I'll sell the band to pay for the coating and get a nato to complete the look, which btw, I love...very utalitarian, tool like and a nice contrast with a suit but right at home during the wknds when playing.
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3 September 2010, 12:55 AM | #30 | |
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Quote:
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