Bead blast or no?

[timewatcher]

I have what will be a very nice 6309-7040 when all the parts arrive so as I can put it all back together but I wanted to Bead Blast it!
What are your thoughts on it?
Everything will be OEM except for the crystal (Tim informs me the Crystal is not OEM and I cant contest that as I dont know how to tell the diffrence
The movement is flawless and OEM as is everyhing else!
Would it decrease the value?
TIA

[Deleted]

Mar 12, 2015 10:29:20 GMT -8 timewatcher said:

I have what will be a very nice 6309-7040 when all the parts arrive so as I can put it all back together but I wanted to Bead Blast it!
What are your thoughts on it?
Everything will be OEM except for the crystal (Tim informs me the Crystal is not OEM and I cant contest that as I dont know how to tell the diffrence
The movement is flawless and OEM as is everyhing else!
Would it decrease the value?
TIA

Changing the case in any way will devalue the watch. If you intend to resell it some time down the road and want the biggest buck it will bring; leave the case alone.

This all seems like deja vu since I seem to recall you actually having done this once already or at least asked the same questions

[scubarob99]

If it's for you, do whatever pleases you, usually with any modification, other than crystal or strap upgrade, you'll never get your money back if you intend to sell it down the line.

Rob

[philsinclair]

Hi. I would have thought this issue had been done to death by now and the general concensus is that good 6309 7040 watches should not be molested. If a modification is required, get a non runner with a crap case and bead blast it, when finished no one will know . Then get a good movement from a donor dress watch and finish everything off with AM parts and anyone who likes it won't be able to tell the difference. Cheers Phil

[sdoocms]

Nope...But then I don't care for the bead blast look.

[cd_god]

If it were me I'd bead blast it. 

I like bead blasted divers and tool watches.

As to the "value" being hurt back in the early to mid 2000's 6309s were on an upswing price and popularity wise and even ones with Ramon dials and hands were selling for $175 on the trade forums.  Wearable original watches were a little higher and bead blasted or MOD'd ones $200 and up.

Then after the puppy mills started flooding EBAY with their junk and the market seemed to fall out and anything aftermarket was $100 and wearable original was $125-$150.  MOD'd one increased as parts from Noah Fuller and Yobokies became available in great numbers and design options.

Now based on previous auctions it seems the puppy mill stuff should still be around $100-$125 although they do catch suckers sleeping from time to time and wearble originals seem to be in the $150-$175 range but I don't see any big payday except for NOS ones.

So if you want to bead blast I don't think you would be hurting the value as there will always be someone who has $200 to spend and if he likes bead blasting and has the choice of spending $200 on a watch and then having to spend $50 to get it bead blasted or getting a watch in the same condition already done for the same price he would be all over your watch.

[earthphase]

Blast it.

If you grow tired of it PM me.

And get some pics up ASAP!!!!

[russtmurray]

I thought you already answered this question back in Nov 2014
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"Some interesting points/observations were made.

I look at it this way ..

I happen to like on certain watches the BB look but obviously not everyone else does which is fine as we dont all have the same tastes but remember this....... if you BB a watch it is no longer considered as Original and IMO would not bring the same amount of money as the same watch would bring if it were Original.

The more iconic watches such as your 6105-8110s and your 6309-7040s are highly sought after and in todays market should be kept as Original as can be if you expect to ever want to sell it.

If you had the same watch as I pictured that has been BB and another the same w/o the BB and both were asking $1000.00 I would definitely buy the one w/o the blasting.

To my way of thinking which is only my opinion you have automatically de-valued the watch by making it no longer an Original!

My 6105-8110 for example is Original, is in terrific condition and has a great History to it considering who owned it and where it has been but it has a Bubble Boy crystal on it which would automatically lower the price should I ever decide to part with it!

I'm rambling on and probably dont make any sense so forgive me as I am only trying to relay how I feel."
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Of course you can have a change of heart Rene, you're a WIS after all. Hell I bought a PVD 6309 and a beadblasted 6105 for cryin' out loud.  Why not go with a little refinishing if the top side is a tad shiny and/or polished? It's your call and as long as you like it, well go for it.

[trandy]

Meh...it 's your watch...do whatever you want to do with it.

I understand everyone's viewpoint as far as the value goes....but if it's your thing....go for it.

IMHO I've seen bead blasted watches that rocked looks-wise....some others not so much.

[Benchdweller]

It depends on the original case. If it has never been refinished and has no nasty gouges or dings then I'd say no. If there are obvious signs of buffing / polishing or if it could do with a refinish then go for it. 

[timewatcher]

After giving it some careful thought I guess I'll leave the case as is.  Somewhere down the road I will likely sell it and I know that whoever buys it would prefer the case to be Original thus hopefully bring me more money!
There however is something nice I like about a BB 6309...........
Here is one that I had Jack BB for me that Shawn made up for me......