Why are owners against polishing during service?

[TheVTCGuy]

I have read on several threads owners specifically request no polishing. Now, I have seen cases that are “over-polished” and boy do they look awful, but if you send your watch in every, say, seven years or so, and trust that the service center knows what they are doing and will not polish the metal down to molecule level, why don’t people want a freshly-polished, new-looking watch?

Whenever I have sent my watches in to the service center it has received a standard polish and looked fantastic, I liked how new it looked. I am not one of those that fear scratches, I wear my watch and daily dings or scratches are part of wearing and enjoying it, but I definitely like the way it looks if polished correctly and not too often.

I am not judging, just trying to understand?

[kieselguhr]

They think it’s going to cut down on the value of their precious investment.

I think those who buy for keeps typically aren’t bothered by a professional polishing performed during routine service intervals every 10 years or so

[EEpro]

RSC does a good job from what I've seen and experienced personally. BUT, I've decided I don't mind light scratches and I don't like the way polished looks. It makes the PCLs have a cushion effect instead of a really flat profile. It also effects the way incident light stripes across the brushed areas. Changes in sharp lug edges are another annoyance.

To me a lightly scratched unpolished watch looks brand new in a lot of indoor light settings. Only bright sun at the right angle looks bad. I prefer that to shiny again and soft around the edges.

These PCLs are actually covered in fine scratches and it doesn't bother me at all.

[sensui]

Because unless you know the exact person polishing the watch, it's a crapshoot. People advocating RSC will always polish properly just hasn't been bit by the lottery. It does happen and will keep happening unless they change their system of not letting new aspiring watchmaker's work on case refinishes.

[ArtNouveau]

I’m a 30+ year Rolex owner and have zero issues with polishing as needed. Of course the internet amplifies everything but I don’t recall this aversion until the last decade or so.

[Subguy48]

I just dropped my 5 year old Sub off for polishing at my local RSC last month. Will let you know how it comes out. From my experience Rolex hates accepting watches back and I had to beg them to polish the watch and replace some slightly worn cosmetic things. I've never had to beg a company to let me spend money but here we are.

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by EEpro

RSC does a good job from what I've seen and experienced personally. BUT, I've decided I don't mind light scratches and I don't like the way polished looks. It makes the PCLs have a cushion effect instead of a really flat profile. It also effects the way incident light stripes across the brushed areas. Changes in sharp lug edges are another annoyance.

To me a lightly scratched unpolished watch looks brand new in a lot of indoor light settings. Only bright sun at the right angle looks bad. I prefer that to shiny again and soft around the edges.

These PCLs are actually covered in fine scratches and it doesn't bother me at all.

This watch looks mint! I wouldn’t polish it either.


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[28mm]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I’m a 30+ year Rolex owner and have zero issues with polishing as needed. Of course the internet amplifies everything but I don’t recall this aversion until the last decade or so.

Quite a few subjects trigger the natives, polishing might be at the top of the list!

It's madness really...what a legitimate concern should be is over-polishing and or poorly done polishing.

That being said, I sent my 2009 116710LN to RCS for a service and the AD asked if I wanted it polished..It's in extraordinarily good condition and i said, "Yes of course".

For a modern Rolex and done rarely, it's a no brainer if it's well done..

Of my dozen Rolexes, only one has gone for service and came back in as new condition.

I also have no problem with members not being into polishing either and I get the 'attachment' to dings, scuffs and all of that but it's included with the price and I'm ok taking my chances with RSC.

Yet, for my 116520, which is in immaculate condition, and from 2007, I'd probably pass on the polish only because of the stigma and the fact, I can see selling it although doubtful!

[Chewbacca]

There’s too many reason for and against to have a hard ‘this is why or this is why not’ answer.

What I’ll add is people really need to understand their Rolex will outlive them and a well worn Rolex in working condition is much cooler than a safe Queen when you’re ready for Valhalla.

[Sandpit]

Purely my opinion here - I think you lose the factory edges. Not just on the lug edges but also the bracelet end links.

Once the factory edges are gone, they're gone. That's not to say that Rolex can't get it right sometimes, but I've seen Rolex polish jobs which just make the cases and bracelets look a little too rounded instead of nice and sharp.

I think sports cases suffer more than the profiled cases on Datejusts etc.

[ecdragon]

the chamfers on the 5 digit...
the details don't exist anymore on the 6 digit watches...
i would stare at my first watch with a loupe and admire those chamfers...
and the bubbly rolex crown points on the clasp... perfection.

[S52]

I'm one of those "no polish at routine service" guys.

I don't baby my watch I wear it daily and it has literally gone to war with me on my wrist on multiple deployments. It has received a fair share of dings and scratches and has become a part of me and my life story.

I see no reason to have it polished down (and potentially have a hack job polish) when it will inevitably just get dinged and scratched again within a few weeks of returning to service.

I will never sell the watch and it will either wind up on the table at my estate sale or perhaps passed along to a dear friend or family member upon my demise.

[Incroyable12]

If you've ever seen 20 and 30 year old gold Day-Dates you'll know why.

[Ensign]

I actually like a good polish from RSC.

It’s like a good polish on a broken in pair of shoes.

[WatchEater666]

I don’t see the point because the watch will look the same in 12 months again and scratches don’t bother me much. The shape of the lugs, case, etc are more important to me than a few light scratches.

Maybe if I put a massive ding on a watch I’d polish it.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

There’s too many reason for and against to have a hard ‘this is why or this is why not’ answer.

What I’ll add is people really need to understand their Rolex will outlive them and a well worn Rolex in working condition is much cooler than a safe Queen when you’re ready for Valhalla.

I see it differently, first if it was a safe queen why would it be polished?

More typical is a watch worn well and well worn when the owner decides to get a service and a nice clean example back home to start the worn well clock again.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I have read on several threads owners specifically request no polishing. Now, I have seen cases that are “over-polished” and boy do they look awful, but if you send your watch in every, say, seven years or so, and trust that the service center knows what they are doing and will not polish the metal down to molecule level, why don’t people want a freshly-polished, new-looking watch?

Whenever I have sent my watches in to the service center it has received a standard polish and looked fantastic, I liked how new it looked. I am not one of those that fear scratches, I wear my watch and daily dings or scratches are part of wearing and enjoying it, but I definitely like the way it looks if polished correctly and not too often.

I am not judging, just trying to understand?

Mainly because they have been brainwashed into thinking all polishing is bad by the likes of so called social media.But today Rolex watches get such a very very pampered life,you only got to read the posts on forum lately reporting what some quote as a huge ding.Which is the real world is mostly a very tiny ding easily rectified at normal routine service.Then there are those wanting to polish every time they see the slightest scratch,today there is a anti polish syndrome god knows why.

[jimcameron]

Why? Herd mentality.

[fnfiveseven]

From experience:

For steel RSC do a good and almost unnoticeable job.

For PM I would avoid RSC polishing as you will lose the sharpness on the lugs and IMO very noticeable. Some don't mind but this annoyed me.

[77T]

As in many matters of opinion, a few poor workmanship examples can become generalized into a broad swath of uncertainty and doubt.

For polishing, amateurish ham-handed work in the past can be seen on vintage watches. That, in turn, becomes an urban myth generalized as “never polish”.


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[S.Explorer]

Prefer to keep the watch looking sharp and thick. I take good care of my watches so no need to polish.

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I have read on several threads owners specifically request no polishing.

Because a watch is original only once.

[Harry-57]

I'm not against polishing. I am against over polishing. I've seen horror stories including bevels you can park a car on, disappearing, sometimes uneven crown guards and lugs with spring bars poking out. I can only go by my own experience, which has so far been good.

I've had two watches polished when serviced and they came back looking immaculate. It was like getting a new watch all over again. I have a Sub in at the UK RSC for a repair. I'll be interested to see if they polish it and how it comes out.

Maybe one day I'll want a watch kept as is and not looking original. I will instruct accordingly. I haven't seen a need to do this so far, but never say never.

[zapokee]

I cherish a ding and a scratch. They're part of my history, and I remember when/where/how each one happened. If I ever decide to sell, the next owner can decide what to do.

My 11-year-old Sub C has never been polished. Some would say it has wonderful character, some would say it's wrecked.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ecdragon

the chamfers on the 5 digit...
the details don't exist anymore on the 6 digit watches...
i would stare at my first watch with a loupe and admire those chamfers...
and the bubbly rolex crown points on the clasp... perfection.

Talking about chamfers below a picture of my own personal working tool watch SD,it was used and many times abused for many years underwater as a real working tool with well over 600 hours underwater. And has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide,picture taken in Singapore after last service.This working tool has seen more use that todays mainly pampered watches will see in ten lifetimes. As long as any Rolex watches are only polished at normal routine RSC service now average 8-10 years should have no problem. What will be a problem like many on forum lately is those wanting to polish every time they see the slightest scratch or even suggest they change the case because of some slight DIY strap change scratches.

[1William]

It all depends on the watch, condition and the number of times it may have been polished before. I typically do not polish as it will just return to the state it was in.

[garyk]

I could not wait to have RSC polish my 116528 from 2000. First service ever and they did a superb job imo…it’s a new watch again!




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[edisonstar23]

Depends on ppl and their preferences and circumstances. I personally don’t see my watches ever needing a polish. I take great care of them by wearing them only when I know im not going to put dents/scratches on them. When doing house work, working out, yard work, park I wear a G Shock. Some ppl can careless about scratches and dents and would even frown upon ppl taking care of their stuff. However that’s not for me, I can’t stand a beat up watch.


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[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I’m a 30+ year Rolex owner and have zero issues with polishing as needed. Of course the internet amplifies everything but I don’t recall this aversion until the last decade or so.

Agreed. I’ve gotten back pretty beat up watches that look brand new.

[thenewrick]

I’m a no polish guy. Prefer to keep it original until I either sell or pass on. Let the next person decide if they want to or not. And always look for unpolished vintage watches. One of the saddest looking things to me is a fluted bezel that’s been polished. It’s like noooooooo. Dull sword vibes