PVD

Customized Rolex Watches With Black DLC

The used Rolex watch market is robust and maybe even a bit crowded. Why? Because pre-owned Rolex watches are big business given the fact that Rolex watches have such an incredible ability to retain value. Still, it is sometimes hard to justify buying an older model when new models exist. One good way to breathe life into older, good condition Rolex watches is to modify or customize them. That way you aren't one of legions of people who have the exact same Rolex watch.

Rolex modification is a growing segment in the watch market with retailers offering everything from brand new Rolex watches that have been modified, to performing such modifications on used models. Many of these modifications have been around for years. Often involving the addition of extra gold or precious jewels such as diamonds to the watch. Recently such modifications have taken a less "blingy" route to offering modified Rolex models that have altered colors and materials. Opinions vary as to the desirability of modified Rolex watches - the same way people argue against the modification of luxury cars. Keep the Mercedes Benz stock, or take it to Brabus for a hot horsepower injection?

Of the most popular trends in Rolex watch modding is the "all black look." Never has there been a factory black Rolex watch (to my knowledge). Thus, the market has met (assumed) demand and offering everything from high priced new Rolex watches with all sorts of black colored modifications, to doing the same to pre-owned Rolex watches. The latter being a better value than the highly limited new modified Rolex watches that are tough to get by all (except a host of celebrities who are gobbling up customized Rolex watches fast enough to make you think Rolex is suddenly shifting to making wallpaper). Producers of new stock Rolex watches can charge double or more than retail for the timepieces.

Modified Rolex watches (new or used) are only as good as the work put into them. The process is harder than it seems. So look carefully, and know what you are looking for. The most popular forms of black color treatment are either PVD or DLC coatings (the latter being more modern, but not as well refined in all instances as the much more common PVD treatment) Time and Gems, an outfit located in Los Angeles offers a host of modified or otherwise custom altered Rolex watches. Time and Gems is not an authorized Rolex dealer, but instead specializes in the sale of used Rolex timepieces. They have recently got into the modded Rolex game and offer up a growing selection of DLC (and PVD) black Rolex Submariners, Sea-Dwellers, GMT Masters, Explorers, Milgausses, and more. The image above is of a Time and Gems DLC black Rolex Submariner watch (priced at $6,500). While modified pre-owned Rolex watches cost more than unmodified Rolex watches, they are arguably more interesting, and clearly involve a good deal of work. You can see black DLC Rolex watches from Time and Gems here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: black, custom, DLC, modified, pvd, Rolex, submariner, time and gems, TimeAndGems, watch

Bovet Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The Bovet Sportster Saguaro is one of my favorite series of luxury watches. And with the tourbillon version Bovet takes the impressive design and retains the durable looks while creating a unique high luxury timepiece. The good news is that it is a lovely and decorated timepiece with a visually interesting tourbillon based movement with a power reserve indicator. The bad news is that most of the watches in this limited edition series are sold out. The Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon is available in 40, 45, and 51mm wide case sizes. Each in 18k red gold with PVD titanium. The dial on each sized version is a bit different. Engraved gold is hand decorated and chiseled and beautifully done. The practicality of the movement is increased by being an automatic and having a full 7 days of power reserve.

Each version of the watch is available in just 100 pieces, with the 40mm version already being sold out. I've personally handled one of the larger versions. The combination of crafts-like decoration with the sporty nature of the rubber strap and 300 meters of watch resistance is very impressive. And while Bovet submitted to the cliche policy of adding a dash of red to sum up the sporty look, here the trendy hue fits with a dashing watch demeanor.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Bovet Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon Watch

Tags: bovet, gold, pvd, saguaro, sportster, titanium, tourbillon, watch

Bamford & Sons Modded Rolex Milgauss Watch To Be Sold At Colette In Paris

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Bamford & Sons is most known in the watch world as an aftermarket modifier of Rolex watches. This process usually involves the application of black PVD as well as color enhancements. Their most popular modded watch? The Rolex Submariner of course.This time around they have made a special edition modded Rolex to be sold at the Colette store in Paris. I can't explain why Bamford would sell a watch at what is essentially a competitor, but I will just take that part for granted.

Bamford applied their skills to change the looks of the Rolex Milgauss, a nifty, but less well-known Rolex watch based on a classic line of scientist friendly watches from over half a century ago. The watch's major claim to fame was its high resistance to magnetic fields, not to mention the lightning bolt style sweeping seconds hands.
Bamford gives the Milgauss a look Rolex never would. Black PVD over the steel case, rich blue dial, black seconds hand, and all white text on the case. Price will likely be a few thousand dollars (ahem... I mean euros) above your standard new Rolex Milgauss watch. Should be available this month from Colette.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: bamford sons, BamfordSons, blue, colette, milgauss, pvd, rolex, timepiece, watch

Limited Edition Pro-Hunter PVD Rolex Daytona

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

UK watch customizer Pro-Hunter has come out with a beautiful bespoke version of the classic Rolex Daytona with a PVD coating, red numbers on the bezel and red sub-dial hands. Pro-Hunter, "adept at improving upon the original with taste, style and a unique flair," will only produce less than 100 pieces at about $29,000 each with a waiting list of up to one year. The Red Bezel Daytona Mk II as it's called pays homage to the Rolex golden years of the 1950's and the 1960's as well as models popularized by the late, great Paul Newman. Pro-Hunter, as the name suggests, started out catering to the Rolex-loving hunting community that congregates at England's country houses, and evolved into designs for "smart and exclusive timepieces that are practical and pleasing to the eye".

[via Duncan Quinn]

Source

Tags: Paul Newman, PaulNewman, Pro-Hunter, PVD, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, RolexDaytona, UK