Turning Luxury Rolex Watches Into ART Expert Watch Engraver Reveals All!

[@hiemabedrog]

Its cool to see he uses VCarve to make his templates, even the watch manufacturers would struggle to do this for a customer, its not easy

[@savestheday258]

This is a great piece, I wish there were more interviews/videos that go into the hand engraving art. Thanks for doing this and that's for sharing it with us! ♥ ✌️

[@CasualWatchReviews]

This was one of my favorite interviews I have done. I only wish I lived a bit closer so I could do another with David.

[@ericweis9771]

Thank you very informative

[@powermachine4379]

Great work wow

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes, this is one of my favorite uploads I ever made

[@TedCornish]

Beautiful work, a very talented man.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yea an amazing interview to capture and cool to see it all in person!

[@guylezius9775]

Fantastic vid, great interview and enjoyed watching, thank you as it’s an amazing skill he has and for me the finished watches just look so unique and different, the one with the dragon was stunning 👍👍

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hi Guy, this was one of my favourite interviews I got to shoot. We spent the whole day with David and it was so interesting to capture him at work and the interview

[@guylezius9775]

The Casual Watch Reviewer yea loved it and it sounds like his sons are gifted also, the Harley was mad, your questions where bang on also, I was sitting here thinking, will he ask how much, then bang you did, satisfying to say the least 👍👍

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Guy Lezius yep I actually was most interested in that myself!

[@flippinzippo9670]

Very interesting video! Love to see anything hand worked. One of a kind handmade anything is great imo.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes I totally agree, it was a privilege to see David in action actually! Not sure how I’m going top that had some very interesting interviews lately!

[@ansont1824]

The clean edge work he achieves on these pieces is amazing. Just buy an additional case and bracelet, keep it in storage, and should you want to sell it, you have a clean case and bracelet.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes I agree, its a unique look that really means something to the people he engraves for. He has engraved for rock stars and olympic athletes.

[@eugenerivera482]

This engraver is incredible wow I’m in awe of his work tell him to keep it up please.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I really enjoyed this interview! David is very active on Instagram so you can see more of his work there an send him a message instagram.com/dsengraver?igshid=vk0y5yk7haq8

[@stephenward3468]

When i worked at Sid Forman Jewellers in Johannesburg our one setter engraver would loose his temper when he messed up.Patience is the name of the game and of course experience.I started my jewellery apprenticeship in 1982 it is a fantastic craft/art form no doubt.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

This is still on of my favorite uploads I ever did!

[@hectormonclova7563]

This is so beautiful. Thank you...

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@carlstanford7607]

This man is an master craftsman. The idea he is defacing the watch is like arguing an artist defaces the canvas.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Carl, yes it was amazing to capture this interview. I had to ask about the ‘vandalism’ part because I knew I would get comments around it. But like you I agree, these are incredible masterpieces!

[@Stoneitful]

@@CasualWatchReviews they are but unlike canvas they are like a blinged out Rolex in diamonds. Worth less than the original most of the time.

[@MiataBRG]

Fascinating, thank you

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Thank you and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@viktordelta247]

Wow! Amazing work. Really interesting video, Thanks!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey James thanks. It was one of the beat videos I managed to capture. My only slight regret is the length I should have split it up in to a three part one!

[@viktordelta247]

No worries, I watched it on my TV and enjoyed it.. length was good.. very interesting.

[@CubGrylls]

What a cool guy

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes really cool. I thought about actually pulling this upload and splitting it in to 3 as its not getting a lot of views and I suspect its too long?

[@CubGrylls]

@@CasualWatchReviews im just toying with the idea of starting engraving as a hobby really impressive to see the quality of work that hes acheived after 6 yrs, his views on the engraving community and sharing his knowledge of how to start and equipment he uses. As for separating the video up im not sure is worth it as iterested people are going to watch regardless of length... i though it went by really quickly. Thanks for sharing the content!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes I spent the entire day with him and it was an awesome interview to capture, its just no one it watching it... except the really cool people of course! He spent a lot on education I think was the real take away I got form the day. he says the engraving community is very close and they always help each other out. The actual original video was well over an hour but i cut it down a lot. Just tried to keep the good bits

[@CubGrylls]

Does he have an instagram?

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yes instagram.com/dsengraver/ and if your heading to instagram maybe I can be cheeky and also ask for a follow instagram.com/thecasualwatchreviewer/

[@kristibbradshaw]

That is not defacing the watch. Any time you are adding art to something; you are adding value to it. Look at it like this, do people say that Van Gogh or Picaso defaced a canvas? Now to a bunch of canvas makers may say that, but most everyone else would never say that.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Thanks for watching. It has been a while since I made this upload but I’m fairly sure I didn’t say he was defacing the watches… the upload was celebrating what he does. Not to argue this point but that was a bad analogy, the canvas comparison. A Rolex has a value, a blank canvas has nominal or no value. Even a ‘canvas maker’ creates the canvas to be painted on. Rolex doesn’t make watches with the purpose to have them engraved. To Rolex the watches come from the factory in the perfect state to be appreciated as they are. Engraving a watch could be seen by some to devalue what was already a valuable watch. No one would argue a blank canvas is more valuable than one that has been painted on… unless you are really trying to insult the painter. Maybe a better analogy is cars. A car has a value, you could detract from that value for some by painting it lime green with red stripes for example. Same here, the watch has a value in its base state, engraving could add or subtract from that value depending on who is viewing the end result. Adding art to something doesn’t always increase its value. Graffiti would be a good example. Adds no value to a subway car, but could on a canvas. A child’s painting could be another example, priceless to the parents, worthless to everyone else.

[@kristibbradshaw]

@@CasualWatchReviews I was making a silly analogy. I wasn't meaning that you said he defaced the watch. He said it about some other people. Tagging is not art. Painting a scene on the side of a building, is art. Don't take everything as though we are insulting you. I'm very sorry that you felt that I was being mean.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I didn’t think you were insulting or being mean. I just thought the analogy was off.

[@kristibbradshaw]

@@CasualWatchReviews it was kind of a joke.

[@giovannisiano574]

Very cool video and interesting topic. I have done some jewelry myself so I understand a bit the subject. How would someone who likes to get his watch engraved be able to arrange the whole thing - get the watch dismantled by a trusted watch shop and sending to him the metal parts only?

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hi Giovanni. From the day I spent with David I got to learn quite a lot. His typical clients have the watch disassembled first by their preferred watch maker and just send him the parts for engraving. Sometimes thats just the case back, others the entire case and bracelet. I was amazed that sometimes the tools need sharpening that often he can only engrave a small section at a time. It was amazing to see his set up.

[@giovannisiano574]

Engraving is not easy! Need strong but precise and firm hands. I tried practicing a few times and could not really handle. As DS said, needs a lot of training and practice. I think having a watch engraved it really have to be something that you want/need badly because the watch will probably loose in value, unless the engraving is something so special and/or widely accepted by a potential second buyer. We (my wide and I wanted to have her Reverso engraved and lacquered but finally went for the double face model. It was expensive to do it and needed a few months because had to send the watch to JLG. I think the engraving of the Rolex we saw in your movie won't come cheap too.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

No your right Giovanni, David estimates for a full coverage engraving cost around $8-10k. But he is backed up moths and months ahead.

[@10thMorales]

Does he keep the metal shavings if, say, he does a platinum Daytona?😋

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep, I imagine for the tiny amount of material he removes it may take a while!! 😂

[@ancestralsubconscious-alex9606]

What's the name of the company he work for?

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hi, its actually his own business. If your interested he can be contacted via his Instagram or website linked in the description

[@ancestralsubconscious-alex9606]

@@CasualWatchReviews hello... Thank you very much.

[@Davitamon76]

Great content!! Thank you and David for the effort and time. I really loved it. I hope this video will get more views. Like I said; great content. Big thumbs up from me ;)

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hi, thanks so much for watching. yes is was great to capture that interview actually... and like you I hope i will get more views. It was a great deal of effort spend on this one. But great to capture it and glad you found it interesting!

[@fistpump5485]

David does a great job engraving.. but hes not a Master Engraver tho. That title is given by masters at Fega and is recognized as such by the engraving community and is a big deal. A person cannot be a self proclaimed Master Engraver. A Master Engraver would be Sam Alfano, Steve Lindsay, Barry Lee Hands, Otto Carter, etc. Go to the Fega Master Engravers page and see. Theres only like 44 actual masters in the United States. This isnt a discredit, my comment is strictly about the Title. No disrespect.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hi, thanks for watching. I changed the title, is that better or let me know if you have another suggestion

[@fistpump5485]

@@CasualWatchReviews hello, i wasnt meaning you had to change anything.. was just letting you know.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I was happy to change it, you know a lot more about this than I do by the sounds of your first comment. I like to get things as accurate as possible and I’m not an expert on watch engraving, I only created this one. Its one of my favorites so I want to make sure its right!

[@rayp4008]

Incredibly beautiful. I am no snob, cannot afford a Rolex. So funny to hear Rolex snobs show their jealousy and try to look down upon someone who up'd the game.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Ray? I’m not sure I understand the point your trying to make here?

[@rayp4008]

@@CasualWatchReviews solely that "Rolex" is high end, but many would look down upon modifying what they consider an elite item. Aka Snob. Where as, at least to me, this "mod" is not only extremely beautiful, but a bit of a flex that the purists (snobs) are likely jealous of. Not affording or really wanting a Rolex, I would absolutely love anything that looked as amazing as these watches do,.... regardless of the brand. Flex be damned, they are just incredible. Ran across your video as I am considering watches for my family. Wife will be a citizen soon. Step son has 18 bday, graduation, adoption and citizenship in the near future as well. And even something nicer for myself, as a recent retirement after a life of military and law enforcement,... to pass on to my son as a family piece. Still on the hunt,... Great interview, but kind of makes my ideas of an engraved back or custom dial seem mild, lol.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Ok cool, yep I cover all watches on the channel so you should see some reviews that may inspire you. And happy to give advice on the livestreams we do on Tuesdays and Sundays, just put a question in the live comments there. And thank you for your service. I do want to say something on the snob comment though because I honestly believe that 'watch snob' is something almost totally made up by other KZbinrs to get views on videos. I have been thinking about this a lot recently, I really need to make a video on it. For example, if you said you were a 'beer snob' or 'coffee snob' most people would find that interesting, not negative. I think 'Watch Snob' is a totally made-up thing. Running the channel for a while now and meeting a varied mix of collectors. The people I know who have Rolex watches and other high-end ones are some of the most passionate watch collectors. I own one also but after years of making watch content, I bought one. You can see the video on why in my feed. People take exception to even polishing a watch when its serviced, so I understand people thinking the engraving takes something away. Its like anything, even classic cars. Some people like to mod them, and some think they should be left as they come off the production line. I don't judge either person. But I would honestly put money on the fact that if anyone did comment on one of David's watches saying it was vandalism to engrave them, they almost certainly do not own that watch, they are just being a-holes. Interested to know what you think on that, and thanks for commenting and watching. This is an old upload but still one of the ones I'm most proud of.

[@rayp4008]

@@CasualWatchReviews never really into watches myself until recently, but have two buddies who are big into them. One just likes attention getters, the other is definitely a "snob", lol. Great guy, but does love to compare his name brands to others while either nit picking details on what ever someone else is wearing, or just lauding about how much better what he is wearing is. So snobs do exist, lol. And correct it is a lot like cars. Some want only factory complete and original, others resto-mod, and still others love their rat rods. Most of my life, cars and watches, were about utility until they died, but retired now, thinking it was time for something besides just "beaters". Exploring led me to repair / restore videos (wouldn't mind trying), and to mods and up grades to improve style and function. All of which has me considering options for heirloom purposes, and gifts to mark some up coming life events. And am already prepping to check some of your stuff, just happy the etching one popped up and caught my attention.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep, as you will learn 'watch snob' is almost used as an insult in this community. Any advice let me know. I also went through the green card process, I can understand why that is well worth celebrating once its finally done.

[@rparker2824]

I thought this was a great interview.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Thank you, I’m very lucky to have interviewed some great people of the channel. This was awesome to interview David in person

[@cartesian_doubt6230]

Buddy, hit the gym.

[@juniorbullock838]

You should rename this.. Learn how to devalue a Rolex and pay for the privilege.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep its not for everyone. but for the people David deals with money is no object, they are after something unique not just your everyday black submariner. But as he says in the video its not for everyone. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@davidjacobs8558]

well, he is engraving the casing and the bracelet. the bracelet is readily replaceable, so no big deal. how difficult is it to get genuine replacement watch casing? depending on the brand, I guess.

[@notazip6814]

Humbly DISAGREE !

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Awesome video! This guy is awesome!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey thanks, yes it was so interesting spending the day with David. The attention to detail was captivating. Thanks for watching and commenting!