ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

SubMarine · 2 June 2018, 09:59 PM

I'm curious, because this topic has been brought up quite a bit.

ccaballero · 2 June 2018, 10:28 PM

A light or full polish by RSC can bring a watch to near new condition. Rolex watches can endure multiple polishes over a lifetime. This craze for unpolished watches is overdone.

ronricks · 2 June 2018, 10:32 PM

If a polish is done correctly you can’t even tell.

brandrea · 2 June 2018, 10:36 PM

I voted no, but in truth, I probably couldn’t afford an unpolished example of a 4 digit reference

joli160 · 2 June 2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronricks

If a polish is done correctly you can’t even tell.

x2

dafuture · 2 June 2018, 10:42 PM

Yes, I would

Bxtek · 2 June 2018, 11:04 PM

I'm pretty new here and I'm still learning. Here's a noob question....When a watch gets polished, it's obviously done to remove scratches. Do they usually do the whole watch? Or, just the scratched areas? I'm assuming that they also redo the brushed finish again too in the required areas? If done correctly, the watch should look like brand new? Correct? Since the amount of material removed should be minimal, what is the negative to buying a polished watch? Lastly, what does it cost to have this done?

ccaballero · 2 June 2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bxtek

I'm pretty new here and I'm still learning. Here's a noob question....When a watch gets polished, it's obviously done to remove scratches. Do they usually do the whole watch? Or, just the scratched areas? I'm assuming that they also redo the brushed finish again too in the required areas? If done correctly, the watch should look like brand new? Correct? Since the amount of material removed should be minimal, what is the negative to buying a polished watch? Lastly, what does it cost to have this done?

Yes, RSC polishes brushed areas. The watch generally will look new. Polishing is included in cost of service with RSC. As a general rule, vintage Rolex is worth more unpolished (5 digit references btw are not vintage). If I bought a 5 digit reference that was used and worn from prior owner, I’d have no hesitation sending to RSC to service with light polish.

peterpl · 2 June 2018, 11:19 PM

Yes I definitely would. As long as its not a hack job by some random jeweler that's taken huge chunks of metal off its fine.

This mentality of non polished Rolex's only really apply to proper vintage. Any modern Rolex 5 digit and above will benefit from a nice polish if you get a second hand one. There are ZERO issues if done correctly.

Gerardus · 2 June 2018, 11:20 PM

No, not for me.

Michigan_State · 2 June 2018, 11:23 PM

I am generally looking for untouched watches, but would also buy a buffed watch, depending on circumstances. Issue is, many service men over here do a terrible job painting, polishing, working on anything really.

watchmework · 2 June 2018, 11:24 PM

Not me.

tyler1980 · 2 June 2018, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronricks

If a polish is done correctly you can’t even tell.

exactly. Mine has been done by RSC. I could sell it to watchfinder for instance, and they could sell it to you. You would never know.

Baco Noir · 3 June 2018, 12:57 AM

Yes, of course.

And when I sell my watches, I often send them in for a full service and refinishing as needed, which also comes with a warranty for the new owner. That gives buyers confidence in authenticity and as a occasional seller it means I don’t have the OCD types complaining about a hairline scratch that they feel I didn’t disclose.

jrs146 · 3 June 2018, 01:00 AM

Light polish. Yes. Although there is something special about an unpolished minty fresh watch.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thesharkfactor · 3 June 2018, 01:07 AM

If you wear a watch it gets marked. All those minty fresh unmarked pre-owned watches in the for sale forum have all been polished, all of them. I have bought and have been more than happy with all my purchases of pre owned watches from this forum (4 to date).

What you don't want is a watch that has been butchered..that's a different story.

It's like a used car, the dealer will tidy it up before sale. Nobody wants a used watch with someone else's wear marks.

Bobcat09 · 3 June 2018, 01:15 AM

Absolutely...not a problem for me.

Fat_ninja · 3 June 2018, 01:17 AM

D pends on the polish job

ccaballero · 3 June 2018, 01:17 AM

Op, What kind of Rolex are you looking to buy that prompted your question?

RHIII · 3 June 2018, 01:19 AM

Of course - as long as it was done properly and the provenance of the watch overall was good...I have purchased several lightly worn pieces over the years...along with new ones...I've also purchased ones without boxes and warranty cards...oh my!!! LOL

jb335 · 3 June 2018, 01:55 AM

Yes. And I bet some voting no have bought polished watches unbeknownst to them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Libertine · 3 June 2018, 02:02 AM

I voted yes; however, only if LIGHTLY, and professionally polished.

Too many overly - and poorly, polished specimens out there unfortunately.

OgSnowflake · 3 June 2018, 02:25 AM

If I’m buying used I wanna buy from the guy that is anti polish and only used warm water and a soft t shirt since the stickers were peeled to clean the watch.

slide13 · 3 June 2018, 02:32 AM

I’d personally be hesitant to buy a current model that’s been polished, I’d rather just suck it up and spend the money for a new one. But if I were buying an older model then yeah, as long as it was done well. It’s not easy to come across even unpolished 5 digits, let alone 4 digit models.

Personally I’d prefer unpolished with scratches to polished though, I don’t mind a little wear especially on older watches.

101031-28 · 3 June 2018, 02:33 AM

If done right, according to factory specs, I have no problem whatsoever buying the watch.

lecorsaire · 3 June 2018, 02:40 AM

Yes I would buy polished watches for a fair price. Not every Rolex is a Paul Newman Daytona. When considering 5 digit models (besides Daytona and Kermit) that were in production nearly 2 decades it really doesn’t matter. The newer 6 digit models with the maxi case and without bevels can be polished without most people noticing much.

Tbh, what I can’t stand is when I see flattened coronets on the clasps of 4 and 5 digit models. I would never buy a watch with the bracelet in this condition.

Torque Time · 3 June 2018, 07:24 AM

Yep

Onikage · 3 June 2018, 08:43 AM

Yes. I'm generally anti-polishing but seriously don't get this 'polished - ruined' thing. Repeatedly polishing is the problem. A lightly worn watch given a one-off sprucing is A-OK. Hell every watch fresh from the factory must have micro differences depending on who did the buffing, pressure applied and for what length of time.
The stats on this are worrying to be honest.

sensui · 3 June 2018, 09:22 AM

I would of course prefer unpolished....but let's face it......99.999% of Rolex owners buy these things to have the fantasy of having them nice and shiny/scratchless all the time. So throughout ownership, it's almost certain most of them will have it polished etc. Even the ones that' don't....when it gets passed to the reseller/grey....they will refinish it to attract more potential buyers.

As long as the polishing is done correctly and it doesn't change the geometry of the watch significantly/noticeably I am completely ok with when it comes to polishing.

DahMan · 3 June 2018, 09:52 AM

Yes , the Rolex Oyster bracelet is one of the easiest to polish amount watch makers. They have emphasized this point in past references to ease of maintenance. No problem, IMHO

View Poll Results: Would you ever purchase a polished or lightly polished preowned Rolex?
Yes, I would consider it based on other factors, as well.	136	83.44%
No, I would never consider it. It's completely out of the question.	27	16.56%
Voters: 163. You may not vote on this poll

2 June 2018, 09:59 PM	#1
SubMarine Banned Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Douglas Location: London, UK & USA Watch: Submariner 16610 Posts: 723	Would you ever purchased a polished or lightly polished pre-owned Rolex? I'm curious, because this topic has been brought up quite a bit.

2 June 2018, 10:42 PM	#6
dafuture "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NYC Posts: 1,944	Yes, I would __________________ Current Rolex Submariner 126610LN \|\| Cartier Tank Americaine

2 June 2018, 11:20 PM	#10
Gerardus "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Gerardus Location: often in the air Watch: ♕ Posts: 12,147	No, not for me. __________________ ♕126610 ♕126333 ♕116300

2 June 2018, 11:23 PM	#11
Michigan_State "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Real Name: Vince Location: Michigan Posts: 547	I am generally looking for untouched watches, but would also buy a buffed watch, depending on circumstances. Issue is, many service men over here do a terrible job painting, polishing, working on anything really. __________________ Have a nice day!

2 June 2018, 10:28 PM	#2
ccaballero "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Florida Watch: None Posts: 646	A light or full polish by RSC can bring a watch to near new condition. Rolex watches can endure multiple polishes over a lifetime. This craze for unpolished watches is overdone.

2 June 2018, 10:32 PM	#3
ronricks 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ATL Watch: 126610LV Posts: 2,753	If a polish is done correctly you can’t even tell.

2 June 2018, 10:36 PM	#4
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 78,136	I voted no, but in truth, I probably couldn’t afford an unpolished example of a 4 digit reference

2 June 2018, 11:04 PM	#7
Bxtek "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: CA Posts: 2,636	I'm pretty new here and I'm still learning. Here's a noob question....When a watch gets polished, it's obviously done to remove scratches. Do they usually do the whole watch? Or, just the scratched areas? I'm assuming that they also redo the brushed finish again too in the required areas? If done correctly, the watch should look like brand new? Correct? Since the amount of material removed should be minimal, what is the negative to buying a polished watch? Lastly, what does it cost to have this done?

2 June 2018, 11:19 PM	#9
peterpl Banned Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: . Posts: 6,692	Yes I definitely would. As long as its not a hack job by some random jeweler that's taken huge chunks of metal off its fine. This mentality of non polished Rolex's only really apply to proper vintage. Any modern Rolex 5 digit and above will benefit from a nice polish if you get a second hand one. There are ZERO issues if done correctly.

2 June 2018, 11:24 PM	#12
watchmework "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: DC Watch: 126710BLRO, 116600 Posts: 7,869	Not me.

3 June 2018, 12:57 AM	#14
Baco Noir "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Roger Location: Colorado Watch: this ya'll Posts: 4,975	Yes, of course. And when I sell my watches, I often send them in for a full service and refinishing as needed, which also comes with a warranty for the new owner. That gives buyers confidence in authenticity and as a occasional seller it means I don’t have the OCD types complaining about a hairline scratch that they feel I didn’t disclose. __________________ Current Collection: Rolex 126619LB, 116710BLNR, and 216570 polar Explorer II; Omega Apollo 8 Speedmaster and Planet Ocean 42; Tudor BB Bronze Bucherer Blue Edition; Nomos Neomatik 42; Breitling Aerospace, Avenger Blackbird, & SuperOcean 44; Doxa 300 Pro Carbon; Stowa Limette; Laco Napa Flieger; Mickey Mouse Timex Electric; and dare I say it...an Apple Watch too

3 June 2018, 01:00 AM	#15
jrs146 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: Lost in time Watch: Me Nae Nae Posts: 9,823	Light polish. Yes. Although there is something special about an unpolished minty fresh watch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

3 June 2018, 01:07 AM	#16
thesharkfactor "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Scotland Watch: GMT Posts: 3,643	If you wear a watch it gets marked. All those minty fresh unmarked pre-owned watches in the for sale forum have all been polished, all of them. I have bought and have been more than happy with all my purchases of pre owned watches from this forum (4 to date). What you don't want is a watch that has been butchered..that's a different story. It's like a used car, the dealer will tidy it up before sale. Nobody wants a used watch with someone else's wear marks.

3 June 2018, 01:15 AM	#17
Bobcat09 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Bob Location: Alabama Posts: 192	Absolutely...not a problem for me.

3 June 2018, 01:17 AM	#18
Fat_ninja Banned Join Date: May 2018 Real Name: Jonathan Location: USA Watch: P-01 Posts: 11,772	D pends on the polish job

3 June 2018, 01:19 AM	#20
RHIII Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Real Name: Roger Location: ... Watch: AP/Rolex/PP Posts: 6,309	Of course - as long as it was done properly and the provenance of the watch overall was good...I have purchased several lightly worn pieces over the years...along with new ones...I've also purchased ones without boxes and warranty cards...oh my!!! LOL

3 June 2018, 01:55 AM	#21
jb335 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: The States Watch: Cosmograph Daytona Posts: 7,467	Yes. And I bet some voting no have bought polished watches unbeknownst to them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3 June 2018, 02:02 AM	#22
The Libertine Banned Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Mike Location: BOS Watch: 16710;14060;214270 Posts: 6,375	I voted yes; however, only if LIGHTLY, and professionally polished. Too many overly - and poorly, polished specimens out there unfortunately.

3 June 2018, 02:25 AM	#23
OgSnowflake Banned Join Date: May 2016 Real Name: Steve Location: Massachusetts Posts: 506	If I’m buying used I wanna buy from the guy that is anti polish and only used warm water and a soft t shirt since the stickers were peeled to clean the watch.

3 June 2018, 02:32 AM	#24
slide13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Here Posts: 1,004	I’d personally be hesitant to buy a current model that’s been polished, I’d rather just suck it up and spend the money for a new one. But if I were buying an older model then yeah, as long as it was done well. It’s not easy to come across even unpolished 5 digits, let alone 4 digit models. Personally I’d prefer unpolished with scratches to polished though, I don’t mind a little wear especially on older watches.

3 June 2018, 02:33 AM	#25
101031-28 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: 1665 Posts: 4,764	If done right, according to factory specs, I have no problem whatsoever buying the watch. __________________ He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex. Ian Fleming

3 June 2018, 02:40 AM	#26
lecorsaire "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC Watch: 116710BLNR Posts: 1,541	Yes I would buy polished watches for a fair price. Not every Rolex is a Paul Newman Daytona. When considering 5 digit models (besides Daytona and Kermit) that were in production nearly 2 decades it really doesn’t matter. The newer 6 digit models with the maxi case and without bevels can be polished without most people noticing much. Tbh, what I can’t stand is when I see flattened coronets on the clasps of 4 and 5 digit models. I would never buy a watch with the bracelet in this condition. __________________ Rolex 116710 BLNR Rolex Day Date 118238 Champagne/Batons

3 June 2018, 07:24 AM	#27
Torque Time "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Real Name: Archie Location: Washington, DC Watch: TT DJ 1601 Posts: 359	Yep

3 June 2018, 08:43 AM	#28
Onikage "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: England Watch: 16710, 16628 Posts: 7,757	Yes. I'm generally anti-polishing but seriously don't get this 'polished - ruined' thing. Repeatedly polishing is the problem. A lightly worn watch given a one-off sprucing is A-OK. Hell every watch fresh from the factory must have micro differences depending on who did the buffing, pressure applied and for what length of time. The stats on this are worrying to be honest. __________________ GMT II 16710 TRADITIONAL ( D- Serial #) ROLEXFANBOY P-Club Member #4

3 June 2018, 09:22 AM	#29
sensui 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,446	I would of course prefer unpolished....but let's face it......99.999% of Rolex owners buy these things to have the fantasy of having them nice and shiny/scratchless all the time. So throughout ownership, it's almost certain most of them will have it polished etc. Even the ones that' don't....when it gets passed to the reseller/grey....they will refinish it to attract more potential buyers. As long as the polishing is done correctly and it doesn't change the geometry of the watch significantly/noticeably I am completely ok with when it comes to polishing.

3 June 2018, 09:52 AM	#30
DahMan Banned Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 635	Yes , the Rolex Oyster bracelet is one of the easiest to polish amount watch makers. They have emphasized this point in past references to ease of maintenance. No problem, IMHO

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