CASE refinish, YES OR NO?

[NIHO]

My 116710 is 12.5 years old. It underwent 1 RSC service with polish 5.5 years ago and was disappointed that the sharp edges were a bit rounded. Now I have a choice of doing a case refinish at a very reputable independent refinisher. My problem is that the watch is very well worn (and also I brushed the bracelet). Will the watch look weird if it has a beat up bezel and bracelet (which I like the patina look) and then a new looking case (albeit with better lines). Here are some pics...so yes or no? The watch runs at +1.3s/day so no reason for movement service.

[kieselguhr]

LA watch works? Rolliworks? Have heard great things about them. That being said, I would only accept polishing during interval servicing if I choose to do so at all. You also said so yourself that you like the wear that the watch has sustained as a result of your enjoyment of it.

[Nikrnic]

I like the way it looks now but if its bothering you I see no problem to have the case redone. I dont think it's weird. It will get new scratches anyway but at least the case will have sharp edges.

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[Indyguy24]

Scratches will always occur. I would give it a few more years before thinking about it unless it really bothers you. After too many polishings, the watch just doesn't look the same.

[joli160]

No, it looks good

[No SUBctitute]

I would leave it alone. A second polish might leave you less happy. The proportions will be off because metal will have to be removed to sharpen the case edges.

If you don't like the way it looks now, and it will always bother you, then sell your watch and buy another one.

[NIHO]

I could never sell this watch due to sentimental reasons:
1) first Rolex
2) good friend helped me source it out when it was hard to get right after Basel. Friend has since passed away.
But I am leaning towards leaving it alone.

[NIHO]

LAWW. I am leaning towards leaving it along for now. But if I were to do it during service interval, should I have LAWW do the whole service, or only the case refinishing and RSC for movement?

[SearChart]

Don't have it refinished, it still looks great.

[ndrs63]

Don’t refinish it. Looks great!!


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[Seibei]

Keep it as is.

[RJRJRJ]

No polish and no service. LAWW is great but there is no need to use them while your watch is running beautifully.

[gunhose]

No

[jimcameron]

Why would you be considering any work? It was serviced 5 yrs ago, is it not functioning properly? FYI, I've had my 16800 for 35 yrs. it was serviced last year for the 2nd time.

[Kliminator]

Leave it

[Chester01]

I don’t polish, ever. Maybe before I gift them to my sons, which will be a blank slate for them. But not before.

[214270Explorer]

More polish = more deterioration.

[NIHO]

Decision made...leave as is. I was leaning that way, but our opinions helped me make the right decision. Thanks!

[Big_Red]

Glad you decided leave. Not sure why polish and just wait until it needs service. I’m a fan of the worn look. But it’s your watch.

Enjoy!


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[Finslayer83]

A nice object with honest wear is always more visually pleasing to me than a crisp example.

Sounds weird but your watch as it sits is 100% more enjoyable to look at than a sea of crisp "safe queens".

Such as Barbour jackets, briefcases, watches, Land Cruisers, and firearms.

[HauteHorlogerie]

Def no

[othertbone]

I’d leave it brother

[locutus49]

It looks good as is. Don't mess with it or you risk making it look bad.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Don't have it refinished, it still looks great.

Completely agree. I'd just leave it as is it still looks great.

[lamnyc]

It looks fine.

[jasebird]

Leave it, don’t take all the life out of it.

[Laszlo]

I would leave it also.

I have two mottos. Wear a watch very, very carefully. Or wear a watch like you've never worn a watch before. I do both. But never, ever polish them. If you want to keep it new, then you take very careful care of it. If that doesn't matter, put it to work. But if it's old, and you want new, buy an additional watch, and avoid making old, look new again.

[Rado63]

I would send it Rolliworks and get a consultation on the case. If the movement has been serviced and is functioning perfectly then go to polishing and if needed, laser welding which could make this look new again. If it were mine I would like it to look new again and numerous examples out there of the before and after case service.

[NIHO]

So today I pulled the trigger on the refinish, rather unexpectedly. I was visiting a local AD and noticed that their watchmaker's space had grown substantially from what I had remembered before (although it may have been like this for a while). I asked the watchmaker if he had a lapping machine expecting him to say no, but he did. So I went with my gut, and gave him the watch to do a case refinish including gaskets. The watch gains 0.5s/d so no reason to do movement service. He will even sandblast the inside of the clasp (which RSC screwed up a bit 5 years ago when they polished a bit of it. Best part is the price is about 1/2 of what LAWW charges and I will have it back within about a week. Once I get it back I will post the pics and you will be the judge.

[dwjez14]

Leave it alone and keep working it hard