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26 January 2018, 10:24 AM | #1 |
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What is with polishing?
I am fairly new to the luxury watch market. I see that some people write about watches being “polished”, and that is looked down upon. Does this mean watches are simply Brillo padded to remove scratches or does this mean literally polishing with a bidding wheel to attempt to remove scratches and swirls? I am referencing tool watches like vintage GMT’s and Subs. I don’t really understand what the big deal is about polishing watches and why it is a negative.
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26 January 2018, 10:27 AM | #2 |
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Polishing, if either not done properly, or too frequently will ruin the original (factory) lines of the case.
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26 January 2018, 11:01 AM | #3 |
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Polishing the Case is the worst. Bracelet being rebrushed/finished is fine Cant tell you how many 'vintage' watches i have passed on because of 'polishing' of the case.
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26 January 2018, 10:29 AM | #4 |
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What mike says ^^^
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26 January 2018, 10:58 AM | #5 |
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26 January 2018, 11:01 AM | #6 |
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26 January 2018, 11:04 AM | #7 |
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26 January 2018, 11:42 AM | #8 |
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27 January 2018, 12:10 AM | #9 |
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26 January 2018, 10:41 AM | #10 |
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It can mean both. Some people like to take Scotchbrite pads, Cape Cod cloths, or some other home-remedy method to their watches and buff out the scuffs. That's one type of polishing. There's also the professional type, which can be done either by an independent, or by an RSC. (Advanced amateurs with the proper equipment could do it, too.) Opinions vary on whether either are good and should ever be undertaken, or in what amounts. As you can see, though, when done poorly or too often, the results are bad and irreversible.
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26 January 2018, 10:51 AM | #11 |
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Yea, polishing correctly means restored to a like new condition. That means if done correctly, you won’t be able to tell if it has been done and the watch will look new. If done incorrectly, you will be able to tell and the lines/edges won’t look sharp as if new.
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26 January 2018, 11:04 AM | #12 | |
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Quote:
To an extent. If its the first polish on a Rolex ** after 20 years!! from RSC thats one thing. Multiple RSC polishes on a Rolex are still noticeable and destroys the case. I see so much 'vintage' crap being sold its ridiculous. They all need new cases. |
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26 January 2018, 11:02 AM | #13 |
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What is the consensus (if there is such a thing on this forum) on how well RSCs perform polishing during periodic services? Are there ones known to do it better or worse?
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26 January 2018, 11:04 AM | #14 |
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Hi, I am new to this community too.
The members above are speaking the truth. I only have one small thing to add. I have noticed that some members like their watches to look like new and will lean towards polishing the watch to remove a tiny scratch (or multiple tiny scratches), as they like their watches to be "perfect." Other members, accept the scratches and don't polish them away because they see them as "battle scars" if you will. As part of the experience that you and your watch have been through. Some people that buy a pre-owned watch, like to receive it polished and like new. Others like to receive it unpolished, and see what the watch has gone through... After this, they decide whether to polish it to a like-new condition, or keep the scars as a sign of what the watch has gone through. It's like two different worlds. My two cents. |
26 January 2018, 01:46 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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26 January 2018, 01:46 PM | #16 |
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I too like my watch to look pristine, I have had my jeweler lightly buff 2 portions on my bracelet. The clasp and an area that had scratches on the bracelet. Now, my timepiece is almost 3 years old, and I have never had the case touched, and I have a few scratches on the side opposite of the crown. I like the fat lugs, and how their all proportionate to each other. That's just me..... So don't touch the case
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26 January 2018, 11:55 PM | #17 |
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Padi will probably chime in with some good advice soon that I agree with. One should, in my opinion, only have a watch polished at service. If at all. Every time you polish it material is removed. Even with those soft Cape Cod cloths. If one wears a watch it's going to wear. Personally, when I have my first new Rolex serviced sometime in the next couple of years, I'm just going to have the bracelet restored and skip any polishing of the case. Bracelets are replaceable items in my opinion so I don't mind if they're polished.
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27 January 2018, 12:18 AM | #18 |
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With my first watches, I used to be a freak about scratches and any sign of use. But in reality is one or the other, never wear the watch and keep it looking brand new, wear it and learn to embrace the scratches or polish it so often that soon it wont look like what it used to be. I am fine with everyday scratches, they do give character to a watch.
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28 January 2018, 06:07 AM | #19 | |
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so true
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28 January 2018, 06:52 AM | #20 |
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Polish, buff, or whatever you want to call it enough and the watch will have measurable changes dimensionally and in weight. I’ve had 4 watches serviced by RSC and there was a very slight loss in the sharpness of the shape from original. They do the some of the best possible work IMO.
Here is a video of Patek service. Around 2:17 they go over polishing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6qMurhSSkrU |
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