What negative effects does polishing have?

[JCB62]

I've noticed there seems to be 2 schools of thought when it comes to polishing your Rolex. Some tout the 'never polished' history of thier watch as a positive, value increasing trait. Others like the "Like New" appearence an occasional polish will provide? I tend to lean toward the latter, but I wonder if I'm doing more harm than good. My 1985 GMT Master has been into the RSC twice and been through AD servicing probably 3 times in the 25 years since I bought it new, and I assume it's had a good polishing on each of those occasions. I dont really notice any big difference, but I'm not sure what to look for. I would say the one thing about my watch that has caught my eye while comparing to some of the beautiful GMT Pepsi examples I see om TRF, is that the 'teeth' or gear like spikes on the bezel dont appear to be quite as pronounced or sharp as some I see. I use my bezel a lot, so I always attributed it to 25 years of normal use. I also noticed that when I picked up a used 14060 that the bezel had a noticably more pronounced sharpness to it. Am I crazy. or is my GMT bezel (teeth) actually wearing away? I've had a new pepsi insert installed lately, but could it be time for a new bezel?

[ParisDakarBmw]

You can wear it down to a little nub if you do it too much!

[Dan Pierce]

Much more important to keep valuable vintage pieces in original condition. Collectors love the original and naturally aged patina.
Much less important to later models. You can choose to keep it all original or looking it's best w/ the routine Rolex service intervasl.
dP

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

You can wear it down to a little nub if you do it too much!

Comment reserved.

[mike]

Jack your watches look to be in great shape.

Any time a watch is polished some amount of metal is removed. Rolex does the best case work I've seen. They have the best/proper equiment to do so.

Usually the problem comes from someone being over enthusiastic. More watches have been harmed by overpolishing by someone without the proper skill and knowledge than has ever happened during a Rolex RSC.

I think one thing that has to put in perspective is the reference/rarity of the watch. Some pieces IMO should be left as is as the history of the piece (and hence it's value) can easily be affected by polishing. (Collectibles and pieces with a specific quickly come to mind).

Notice on your pieces the "sharp" edge on the lugs. Personally I think this enhances the look.

On occasion I see pieces that have been so overpolished the springbars will slightly protrude--that's bad and kills it.

It's been said Rolex feels about five or so polishes is approaching the limit.

To be honest I think we have to make a distinction between a watch that has led an honest life and one that has been abused (again considering the reference and it's history).

[maverick]

Originally Posted by mike

Jack your watches look to be in great shape.

Any time a watch is polished some amount of metal is removed. Rolex does the best case work I've seen. They have the best/proper equiment to do so.

Usually the problem comes from someone being over enthusiastic. More watches have been harmed by overpolishing by someone without the proper skill and knowledge than has ever happened during a Rolex RSC.

I think one thing that has to put in perspective is the reference/rarity of the watch. Some pieces IMO should be left as is as the history of the piece (and hence it's value) can easily be affected by polishing. (Collectibles and pieces with a specific quickly come to mind).

Notice on your pieces the "sharp" edge on the lugs. Personally I think this enhances the look.

On occasion I see pieces that have been so overpolished the springbars will slightly protrude--that's bad and kills it.

It's been said Rolex feels about five or so polishes is approaching the limit.

To be honest I think we have to make a distinction between a watch that has led an honest life and one that has been abused (again considering the reference and it's history).

+1 right on Mike. =) maverick

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by mike

Jack your watches look to be in great shape.

Any time a watch is polished some amount of metal is removed. Rolex does the best case work I've seen. They have the best/proper equiment to do so.

Usually the problem comes from someone being over enthusiastic. More watches have been harmed by overpolishing by someone without the proper skill and knowledge than has ever happened during a Rolex RSC.

I think one thing that has to put in perspective is the reference/rarity of the watch. Some pieces IMO should be left as is as the history of the piece (and hence it's value) can easily be affected by polishing. (Collectibles and pieces with a specific quickly come to mind).

Notice on your pieces the "sharp" edge on the lugs. Personally I think this enhances the look.

On occasion I see pieces that have been so overpolished the springbars will slightly protrude--that's bad and kills it.

It's been said Rolex feels about five or so polishes is approaching the limit.

To be honest I think we have to make a distinction between a watch that has led an honest life and one that has been abused (again considering the reference and it's history).

Everything you need to about polishing above.... great post Mike!

I typically do not polish my vintage pieces.

[jnkay]

Originally Posted by parisdakarbmw

you can wear it down to a little nub if you do it too much!

lol

[Rscmaine]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

You can wear it down to a little nub if you do it too much!

I'll only polish my watch until I need glasses...

Oh wait...I already wear glasses!

[rolexsubdate]

if you start using polishing wheels or start giving it to watchmakers, then the will wear it down because they don't give a crap about the watch .. they wanna do the best job to get your $$ ... so a few trips to the watch maker for polishing and your watch will be returned in a ziploc bag full of steel filings!

But if you yourself use scotch brite and cape cod, it would be about 100 years before you notice any diff ....so you want a job done well, then do it yourself.....

Even if you start rubbing the cloth on the watch wildly, you are not gonna do any damage ... it is steel afterall, not chalk that it will flake off .... your hands just do not have enough strength to wear off the metal to a great extent ... and what ever metal does come off, it is extremely extremely tiny, almost insignificant....IF using hands and polishing cloths that it ...

I have some seiko beaters and I try abusing them with polishing for the last 5 yrs ... can't tell a freaking diff ....I measure the width with a micrometer, and it shows same as before....

[SLS]

The bezel on the Sub is sharper and larger so it can be more easily turned while under water with gloves on. The older Subs also had thinner bezels, more similar to your 1675. I do not think yours looks over polished at all.

Scott

[JCB62]

the new bracelet looks great, dosent it Scott?

[SLS]

Originally Posted by JCB62

the new bracelet looks great, dosent it Scott?

Yes it does!

Scott

[Rscmaine]

Proper aging is great with cheese, wine and scotch.

Certain body parts and watches look much nicer when they are young.

[ESKO]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Proper aging is great with cheese, wine and scotch.

Certain body parts and watches look much nicer when they are young.

: clap::agre e:

[Andad]

Originally Posted by ESKO

: clap::agre e:

So you call them 'nubs' over there.

Someone should tell Paul.

[sea-dweller]

I don't like my cases polished at all during a service and I specifically ask that they do not.
I carefully wear watches, so that there is usually very minor abrasions imparted on the cases from wearing.

[FlyingMoose]

Does rolex honor requests to not polish during a service, and is the service then cheaper? Or is it better to use a 3rd party watchmaker for this?

[clarencek]

Originally Posted by FlyingMoose

Does rolex honor requests to not polish during a service, and is the service then cheaper?

Yes they do. I sent in my sub for service at RSC NY and specifically asked them NOT to polish anything. They insisted on polishing the bracelet, and I still said no. :-)

Not sure if the price is different with / without a polish.

[mike]

Originally Posted by FlyingMoose

Does rolex honor requests to not polish during a service, and is the service then cheaper? Or is it better to use a 3rd party watchmaker for this?

As stated they will, but I don't think the price is cheaper.

[bkandj2000]

Nice wathes, Jack. Looks like you got some great insight so far on this thread as well.


Blaine

[JCB62]

Originally Posted by bkandj2000

Nice wathes, Jack. Looks like you got some great insight so far on this thread as well.


Blaine

This forum is invaluable.....and leads to spending way too much money on watches....but I love it!

[Renoir]

I'm one of the guys that wants the case left untouched/unpolished. The sharpness and thickness of the case lugs are very important to me.

In the past I have had bad experiences with RSC NY overpolishing the heck out of a couple of my watches (which I no longer have).

It's all a matter of personal preference.

[sakuraba]

For vintages, I would prefer an honest, unpolished look. IMO it's very awkward to see a 30 year old watch looking spotless.

[JimC]

That GMT wrist shot looks great! Congrats on owning a super watch, for all those years. It looks great, and still has a wonderful history.

[ayres]

i agree with the unpolished approach. i think wear on a watch is something to not feel bad about - especially if you expect to keep the watch. at the same time, i'm weary of sellers who have refurbished the case, as it gives one uncertainty about the history of the watch.

there are some gmt2s on ebay that have been over-polished. when the case has lug holes, it can be very obvious when a repair person over-does it. you can see the end of the spring bar sticking out!

[hng]

I'd just keep it as it is except if I want to sell as it got to look bright.

[slcbbrown]

Unless you've got a museum piece, I believe in polishing when they go in for service. I have had my watches polished by RSC and non-RSC for 40 years and have never had a problem. I have never used "hacks", but have found that most jewelers (not just watch guys) can do a great job when it comes to a light polishing.

[HL65]

I have them polished when they get their 5-7 year service--other than that the trusty old daily dust off.