Polish or no ?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

If you want it to look like new again then you will let Rolex do their regular service per the website.

If not, and you're happy with its current condition then you'll give "no polishing" instructions and the watchmaker gets a longer lunch hour (or two).

My question is whether any of us really like unboxing a brand new Rolex to find it in 5y.o. condition with swirls, scratches, and hazy bright spots. And before you say that's a horse of a different color - it's not. It doesn't matter if I put them there or Rolex did.

Maybe the CPO program should put in their program a "distressed pre-owned" lineup.

Nothing but "no polish" models that are perfect inside and not on outside.


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I hear what you’re saying Paul.

I guess I based my comments on Jays wearing habits. As above he said he wears the watch “very hard”.

In my mind, why remove any metal and why would he polish the watch only to have it looking fairly worn in a very short period of time? I guess he’d get a month or two of “like new condition” out of it.

Overall I’m not anti polish, however I do think each owner has their unique wearing habits that make it worth while or not so much

[77T]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I hear what you’re saying Paul.

I guess I based my comments on Jays wearing habits. As above he said he wears the watch “very hard”.

In my mind, why remove any metal and why would he polish the watch only to have it looking fairly worn in a very short period of time? I guess he’d get a month or two of “like new condition” out of it.

Overall I’m not anti polish, however I do think each owner has their unique wearing habits that make it worth while or not so much

I hadn't seen your post Brian but I understand if someone is keeping a watch for a lifetime.

I think about the car thread where people talk about all the different ways they keep the car's surface perfect. Coatings, films, etc. and getting the perfect carnauba wax work.

Then the same poster goes on about "no polish". I hope I'm not pointing any fingers.

I just had my new black edition Volvo go through the automatic car wash!


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

I hadn't seen your post Brian but I understand if someone is keeping a watch for a lifetime.

I think about the car thread where people talk about all the different ways they keep the car's surface perfect. Coatings, films, etc. and getting the perfect carnauba wax work.

Then the same poster goes on about "no polish". I hope I'm not pointing any fingers.

I just had my new black edition Volvo go through the automatic car wash!


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I guess some folks really are a walking contradiction.


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[JSolution]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I hear what you’re saying Paul.

I guess I based my comments on Jays wearing habits. As above he said he wears the watch “very hard”.

In my mind, why remove any metal and why would he polish the watch only to have it looking fairly worn in a very short period of time? I guess he’d get a month or two of “like new condition” out of it.

Overall I’m not anti polish, however I do think each owner has their unique wearing habits that make it worth while or not so much

Yes Brian you are correct here, and I don’t want to wear the watch any differently - which I probably will inevitably do if it’s looking all new again. Actually it never did look new as I bought it unpolished. Which actually made me enjoy it more as I wasn’t worried about not looking brand new. Of course this happens with all watches but I think I’m just opening myself up to a painful period of watching it get ruined again

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Yes Brian you are correct here, and I don’t want to wear the watch any differently - which I probably will inevitably do if it’s looking all new again. Actually it never did look new as I bought it unpolished. Which actually made me enjoy it more as I wasn’t worried about not looking brand new. Of course this happens with all watches but I think I’m just opening myself up to a painful period of watching it get ruined again

Then there’s your answer brother


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[JSolution]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Then there’s your answer brother


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Well I did think that when I posted it

However it would still be nice for it to be looking new


I’m not good at decision making

[Chefinspecteur]

I brought last year my 22 year old 16600 to RSC Geneva for servicing incl. polishing. Looked liked new again. The edges stayed sharp.

[Ravager135]

I suppose it doesn't really matter based on the context with which you framed your post. That said, I polish my watches at routine services. The whole "anti-polish" crowd seems to be under the illusion that their mass produced watch (which is 99% of the examples we are talking about here) think their piece will be worth millions someday and a polish will ruin that.

Many vintage examples have been polished or had service parts installed on the watch because it was and continues to be absolutely normal. Unless someone is sitting on a white gold Dayonta Le Mans, there isn't much Rolex makes that is rare.

The only other obstacle I see to polishing a Rolex is that it is done correctly. Rolex has teams of people wherein this is all they do. They have the proper tools, buffing, etc. They are always going to do the best job with inclusion of a few large scale private operations who know what they are doing. Many ADs will service the watches in house (which again is perfectly fine), but I do agree that results can be more variable here. I have complete confidence in the watchmaker at my local AD. I have had a 16613LN and a 216570 serviced by him with outstanding results.

[peptide45]

I echo the sentiment of polish unless it's something extremely rare.

[Mystro]

Regular light maintenance polishing takes off a lot less metal than doing a full recon from years of not polishing. Your watch also looks better over its life unless you like the ”whipped Rolex” look that greatly affects its value if you decide to trade it down the line.

[Calatrava r]

I just bought an older DJ which the dealer had fully serviced and polished by Rolex. It looks brand new. Nothing wrong with having your watch polished at a service.

[jb335]

Based on how you wear it and you have other watches, I would not polish.

Keep this one as your fun beater that you will throw into any situation and just enjoy the patina over the years.

Baby the others.


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[Marcjvr]

Don’t polish

This is how well worn Rolexes are supposed to look

[Cru Jones]

Yes for sure polish by RSC. Get a "new" watch back and start over again. At least, that's how I approach things.

[worldofoyster]

polish it and you get a new watch again

[Guppydriver]

Unless you have "memory or legacy scratches" that add to the character of the watch, always polish so it at least looks like you got something for the money. It will fell brand new again.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Unless you have "memory or legacy scratches" that add to the character of the watch, always polish so it at least looks like you got something for the money. It will fell brand new again.

I think you have hid the nail on the head in my counter argument with myself here. At least it will look like something has been done

Thanks for the replies everybody all is helpful :)

[capecodmike]

Recently received my YM slate back from RSC for a service.

It was roughly 6 years old.

I forgot all about polishing. It came back polished. Looking quite new.

I was happy with it. Looks great. I can't seem to find that any harm has been done.

[Luap1976]

No polishing

[173rdabn]

Polish the damn thing already! Then wear it like you stole it!

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I’m unsure whether to have it polished. Usually I just get it done it doesn’t bother me. However, this watch gets worn very hard and I enjoy “not taking care of it” so much as to my other watches.

Usually?????

The thing is 8 years old! How many times has it been serviced???

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Usually?????

The thing is 8 years old! How many times has it been serviced???

Referring to other watches…

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Referring to other watches…

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for clarifying.

[BigTex22]

Team Polish. This isn’t like “sharpening the corners” of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card.


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[karleone]

I always ask my watch not to be polished during service and made it written. Why? Because my watches are either unpolished or repolished but very well done so I don’t want to take the risks Rolex messing up with polish. Whatever people who are fan of polishing says a repolished watch would never look as good as a factory unpolished Rolex. Especially on 4/5 digits Sub/SD/GMT/Explo 2 where the case have bevels/ chamfers most of watches after a repolish lose these bevels/ chamfers that were originally there when the watch left the factory. It’s very common to see as well rounded lugs, lug holes surface not sharp, rounded crown guards, lug holes too close from bevel/ chamfer if still there etc. An additional problem is lugs not being V brushed as it supposed to be on 4/5 digits or with a grain different from Rolex factory finish. People saying a Rolex will come back as new after RSC are just not enough knowledgeable. On a 4/5 digits best case your watch has been repolished by an expert like Rolliworks or LAWW or someone very qualified at RSC and it will look decent / great (but not 100% orignal factory finish). Worst case your watch has been polished not by an expert (and it happens a lot even by Rolex RSC) and your watch has no more scratches so form a non expert looks new but someone who know about polish / repolish will be able to say watch has been repolished and it won’t look as good / not as sharp as initially

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karleone

I always ask my watch not to be polished during service and made it written. Why? Because my watches are either unpolished or repolished but very well done so I don’t want to take the risks Rolex messing up with polish. Whatever people who are fan of polishing says a repolished watch would never look as good as a factory unpolished Rolex. Especially on 4/5 digits Sub/SD/GMT/Explo 2 where the case have bevels/ chamfers most of watches after a repolish lose these bevels/ chamfers that were originally there when the watch left the factory. It’s very common to see as well rounded lugs, lug holes surface not sharp, rounded crown guards, lug holes too close from bevel/ chamfer if still there etc. An additional problem is lugs not being V brushed as it supposed to be on 4/5 digits or with a grain different from Rolex factory finish. People saying a Rolex will come back as new after RSC are just not enough knowledgeable. On a 4/5 digits best case your watch has been repolished by an expert like Rolliworks or LAWW or someone very qualified at RSC and it will look decent / great (but not 100% orignal factory finish). Worst case your watch has been polished not by an expert (and it happens a lot even by Rolex RSC) and your watch has no more scratches so form a non expert looks new but someone who know about polish / repolish will be able to say watch has been repolished and it won’t look as good / not as sharp as initially

Picture below of my own working tool 16600 SD, I am sure this watch has seen more use and sometimes abuse than todays pampered watches will see in ten life times. Picture taken after last service it was its fourth service and polish by various RSC world wide. And having serviced many many watches over the plus 50 odd years of owning and wearing Rolex watches never ever had a bad service or bad polish from any RSC. But must admit I don't have a high powered loupe to expect every minute area of any watch I have ever owned.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by padi56

Picture below of my own working tool 16600 SD, I am sure this watch has seen more use and sometimes abuse than todays pampered watches will see in ten life times. Picture taken after last service it was its fourth service and polish by various RSC world wide. And having serviced many many watches over the plus 50 odd years of owning and wearing Rolex watches never ever had a bad service or bad polish from any RSC. But must admit I don't have a high powered loupe to expect every minute area of any watch I have ever owned.

Just stop always repeating the same non sense. You LOVE polishing your watches and you don’t want to admit some watches are getting destroyed by bad polished by Rolex RSC. You are providing wrong information. Just stop please

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karleone

Just stop always repeating the same non sense. You LOVE polishing your watches and you don’t want to admit some watches are getting destroyed by bad polished by Rolex RSC. You are providing wrong information. Just stop please

I am entitled to post on this subject as much as I like now if you don't not like it, simple answer do not read or reply to my posts now you have a nice day. And with many today the tiniest mark the slightest scratch there watches have been like you put destroyed. Someone shows one example of a watch supposed to be badly polished by RSC then its automatically they destroy watches if polished. I wonder how many millions of watches has the RSC polished without any problems. Life s full of risks you could get knocked down by a car crossings the road or being struck by lightning and being struck by lightning IMHO is about the same odds as any RSC destroying a watch in normal routine service polish.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by padi56

I am entitled to post on this subject as much as I like now if you don't not like it, simple answer do not read or reply to my posts now you have a nice day. And with many today the tiniest mark the slightest scratch there watches have been like you put destroyed. Someone shows one example of a watch supposed to be badly polished by RSC then its automatically they destroy watches if polished. I wonder how many millions of watches has the RSC polished without any problems. Life s full of risks you could get knocked down by a car crossings the road or being struck by lightning and being struck by lightning IMHO is about the same odds as any RSC destroying a watch in normal routine service polish.

Read post 34

[Scottyboy]

Originally Posted by padi56

Picture below of my own working tool 16600 SD, I am sure this watch has seen more use and sometimes abuse than todays pampered watches will see in ten life times. Picture taken after last service it was its fourth service and polish by various RSC world wide. And having serviced many many watches over the plus 50 odd years of owning and wearing Rolex watches never ever had a bad service or bad polish from any RSC. But must admit I don't have a high powered loupe to expect every minute area of any watch I have ever owned.

As true as the day is long! Thank you Padi