Recreating factory specs on a polished watch

[aurenas]

I was scrolling through a very reputable vintage watch dealer’s website and noticed that most of his vintage watches that are listed for sale are in pristine pristine condition which was “professionally detailed to near factory specs”. It made me think that it is becoming harder and harder to find 5digits references in unpolished, original condition as they are becoming “vintage” (and I’m not even talking about 4dig subs, gmts etc). My question is if we really care to have “UNPOLISHED” watch when with today’s technologies we can recreate basically factory specs - chamfers etc.
What’s your opinion on this?




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[Platypus]

You seriously can’t discern the extreme thinness of the refinished watch? The lugs are so much thinner than they originally were.

[aurenas]

Originally Posted by Platypus

You seriously can’t discern the extreme thinness of the refinished watch? The lugs are so much thinner than they originally were.

They look thicker to me




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[77T]

Originally Posted by aurenas

They look thicker to me




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There is no refinishing that can be done on the damaged lugs in the bottom photo to make them look anything like the original dimensions on the upper photo.

Even a massive laser welding project wouldn’t do it.


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[Mendota]

But the perfect chamfers are on that same watch, aren't they? It's the same watch. The beaten and worn photo is the BEFORE and the gorgeous chamfers are on the AFTER.

[aurenas]

Originally Posted by 77T

There is no refinishing that can be done on the damaged lugs in the bottom photo to make them look anything like the original dimensions on the upper photo.

Even a massive laser welding project wouldn’t do it.


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Well, I’m pretty sure it was done - https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8JwjIg...=13tgcyznfaaiz


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[EEpro]

They do amazing work. That is impressive.

[77T]

Originally Posted by aurenas

Well, I’m pretty sure it was done - https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8JwjIg...=13tgcyznfaaiz


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I’m pretty sure it was posted on Instagram....


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[Mendota]

Those chamfers... this is what is so sexy about the 4 digits.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by 77T

Even a massive laser welding project wouldn’t do it.

Lugs/cases are built up with weld all the time.

[aurenas]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Those chamfers... this is what is so sexy about the 4 digits.

Exactly

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Those chamfers... this is what is so sexy about the 4 digits.

Concur ............... chamfers should return to all sports models.

[GoingPlaces]

Bring back the chamfers! It's a great detail.

[IamJacky]

I bought this 2008 16610LV a while ago via a grey dealer, the owner told me that the watch was "slightly" polished. I don't have any other picture at the moment but I must say it looks and feels brand new to me. I'm not sure if I was just lucky enough to get a good condition Kermit, or that I'm just not sharp enough to tell the difference. The edges are sharp, the bezel has zero scratches. I personally much prefer buying a watch like this instead of being all banged-up.

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by aurenas

I was scrolling through a very reputable vintage watch dealer’s website and noticed that most of his vintage watches that are listed for sale are in pristine pristine condition which was “professionally detailed to near factory specs”. It made me think that it is becoming harder and harder to find 5digits references in unpolished, original condition as they are becoming “vintage” (and I’m not even talking about 4dig subs, gmts etc). My question is if we really care to have “UNPOLISHED” watch when with today’s technologies we can recreate basically factory specs - chamfers etc.
What’s your opinion on this?




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It depends on the level of collector...Some wont mind a recut case (like the brand new look), but hard-core vintage collectors will still pay a premium over unpolished over recut/refinished.



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[Doood]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Those chamfers... this is what is so sexy about the 4 digits.

Yes indeed. Wow, didn’t even realize just how gorgeous those are.

Would love to see a new Explorer 2 with those.

[Platypus]

To a discerning vintage collector, it’s incredibly simple to tell the difference between a recut case and an original.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Platypus

To a discerning vintage collector, it’s incredibly simple to tell the difference between a recut case and an original.

But depending on price that's a killer daily!

[Jackie Daytona]

As a vintage lover I’m a bit mixed on the subject.

I like the originality, and would love to see them all have been cared for and properly maintained through the decades, but the fact is there are so many stories these watches have and different levels of ten vastly of the care and attention past owners put upon them. The majority of owners didn’t really think or care about chamfers or lug width or anything for the most part. They were often worn and abused polished poorly just to make them shiny again to appease whomever owned it at that point and back in service for decades again. This has taken a toll on much of what collectors and vintage lovers really seek out in terms of good examples.

That being said metal is malleable. Once some pieces have been put through the ringer from years of use and abuse I don’t see an issue with correcting that and bringing it back to where it was meant to be.

However if it’s done to the rare other wise good examples just to command a further premium to those that aren’t overly aware I see it as an issue. I also feel that these services should be disclosed, because as I mentioned although some of us really look into them, others may not even realize a reworked case bracelet, bezel etc. is a thing.

[Tangier11]

Unless you are only in this for money/business reasons I see NO issue with a professional polish.

[jerryguo]

polished is polished, even if Rolex did it, it wouldn’t be the same finish as original. unless you get a new case.


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[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by aurenas

Well, I’m pretty sure it was done - https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8JwjIg...=13tgcyznfaaiz


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Why not...

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[kieselguhr]

Looks good to me. People make a big deal about unpolished.

Done professionally at set intervals it’s fine. Done by an amateur everytime a hairline shows up is bad.

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Looks good to me. People make a big deal about unpolished.

Done professionally at set intervals it’s fine. Done by an amateur everytime a hairline shows up is bad.

X2

[henrylee]

Yup looks like a weld buildup and a nice cut to make those perfect looking chamfers. Looks like they did a great job. But all depends on the watch you want, a vintage with all its scratches vs a vintage that looks new.

[Onikage]

One of the reasons vintage is a minefield. All kinds of jiggary pokery can go on to lift desirability.