Advice Needed: Light Polish + In-Store Service

[CLNYC86]

Hi everybody, I'm looking for some advice from the community. I have recently found a hard-to-find grail Rolex on Chrono24 I have wanted for some time. The dealer selling it has a very strong reputation and am comfortable buying from them. When I asked about the watch, they did tell me it was recently fully serviced in their store with a light polish (not very noticeable in pictures).

As long as all parts are original Rolex, would you consider purchasing or wait for another (this watch is rarely for sale)? Help!

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

Yes I’d buy it. Is your concern the light polish?

[CLNYC86]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum

Yes I’d buy it. Is your concern the light polish?

Thanks for the reply! A little concern about the light polish, but more so the in-store service/overhaul. I'm newer to vintage pieces, always have been a new/unworn buyer so this is uncharted waters for me. The store/dealer is reputable though.

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by CLNYC86

Thanks for the reply! A little concern about the light polish, but more so the in-store service/overhaul. I'm newer to vintage pieces, always have been a new/unworn buyer so this is uncharted waters for me. The store/dealer is reputable though.

There's so much variability from one place to another. If you can provide a little more information---in particular the specific reference in question and the age, and also identify the seller, that would get you much more helpful answers. Better yet, provide a link to the watch so folks can see the polish-job. (Unless you're worried that someone else will scoop up the piece?--but if it's on C24 then it's already "out there," so I don't know that you need to be worried about that risk getting heightened...)

With what you've provided, it's ...probably ok? Many vintage sellers do a little polishing. Places like HQMilton and Tropical Watch are very respectful of their pieces. Other places (I won't name names) tend to sell overpolished turds.

Likewise, the in-house service can be done respectfully or atrociously or not actually done at all. I'd want some written assurance that OEM parts were used and that the piece was properly pressure-tested.

Can you provide more information? Otherwise, I don't know that you can expect to get much help, alas.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by CLNYC86

Thanks for the reply! A little concern about the light polish, but more so the in-store service/overhaul. I'm newer to vintage pieces, always have been a new/unworn buyer so this is uncharted waters for me. The store/dealer is reputable though.

In the real world today there is a anti polish syndrome gods knows why as long as any polish is done correctly then no problem whatsoever. With todays mainly pampered watches with routine service now depending on use every 5-10 years. It would take around 4 services before you would even notice any case difference thats around 30-40 years of wearing. And what vintage watch are you talking about reference and model number would help

[yowlie]

collectors will almost always choose unpolished over polished. If it is a wearer, go for it. But a box and papers collector that has just been given a light polish (like an LV) is a bit of an oxymoron.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by padi56

In the real world today there is a anti polish syndrome gods knows why as long as any polish is done correctly then no problem whatsoever. With todays mainly pampered watches with routine service now depending on use every 5-10 years. It would take around 4 services before you would even notice any case difference thats around 30-40 years of wearing. And what vintage watch are you talking about reference and model number would help

You are copy pasting your polishing memo every time. There is no such thing as anti polish syndrome. Vintage passionate and collectors prefer unpolished watches and maybe you are not part of that or don’t know the difference between a polished and an unpolished watch. 4 serviced before noticing any case difference? Joke!!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karleone

You are copy pasting your polishing memo every time. There is no such thing as anti polish syndrome. Vintage passionate and collectors prefer unpolished watches and maybe you are not part of that or don’t know the difference between a polished and an unpolished watch. 4 serviced before noticing any case difference? Joke!!

First its not a copy and paste but written with well over 50 years of owning and wearing Rolex watches experience. Second the poster has not given the reference for the watch in question so is it a real vintage watch. Below is picture of my own working tool 16600 SD had more use and sometimes abuse that most of todays watches will ever see in ten life times. And its been serviced and polished by 3 different ADs world wide now 23 years old still looks good today. And yes there is a anti polish syndrome today around Rolex watches no matter the age, especially watches in the 5-25 year old bracket.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by CLNYC86

As long as all parts are original Rolex, would you consider purchasing or wait for another (this watch is rarely for sale)? Help!

For me it is always about what I feel comfortable with paying for the condition of the watch I will get.
Most times you have to pay much more if you want a perfectly preserved vintage watch with provenance.
Sellers will 99% of the time tell you what you want to hear to get your attention and may not provide full disclosure.
I for one do not totally trust any seller telling me how great an item is without me verifying by dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s first.
If you like what you are looking at for the price you are willing to pay then it is perfectly fine for you to move forward.
If you want assistance in vetting the watch then you will be better served sharing photos or links of the watch here so you can get a little assistance scrutinizing the watch and seller.

[CLNYC86]

it's a thunderbird 116263 from 2011..not exactly a true vintage

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by CLNYC86

it's a thunderbird 116263 from 2011..not exactly a true vintage

Shouldn't be terribly hard to find one of those in good tack. Can you send the link or share pics?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by CLNYC86

it's a thunderbird 116263 from 2011..not exactly a true vintage

I would doubt if any service parts would be needed in any Rolex watch thats just around 10 years old.Expect they would have done a simple movement lube service, the TOG is a nice watch made in smaller numbers, but the cal 3135 inside is a fantastic movement used in most of the Rolex line up same as my 23 year old SD