Rolex Service Polish Or Not Re Gold Submariner?

[RIPLEYXL9]

When I sold my fathers SS 1963 GMT Master, all the dealers really liked it and commented on the lack of polishing traits.
It was serviced roughly every 6 years. And they all offerred good money for it, well a lot more than I expected.
This was all new to me but one big preowned dealer did show me a typical example that had been overpolished and I could see it almost looked like the profile had been very subtly changed.

Bearing in mind how adamant the buyers were about non polished watches, when I got my new solid Yellow Gold Submariner 16618 in 2002 I made a specific point of asking Rolex whenever they had it, not to polish it at all. I'm sure they Ultrasonic cleaned it or at least the strap as it looked cleaner but now I confess I do have a number of super fine micro scratches.
a] Should I leave them
b] Get a dealer to lightly polish them out
c] Leave till it's next service and ask them to be gentle with the polisher, re taking off corners etc. - as honestly these scatches are so fine you could probably get rid of these with a non abrasive MF cloth and a lot of elbow grease.
I do however have 3 scratches you can see on the clasp right across the middle section. Hell I've been so careful but life happens! They are not so deep a fingernail can feel or catch in them but boy can you see them.

My Personal view:- if I was keeping it I'd have it super gently polished, as I dont care what other people think, and removing the micro scatches completely would make it look brand new.
But I plan to sell it to replace with the 116618 so I am mindful of what most buyers would like.
Any views and if to hand polish is advised what would you recommend if one can do it oneself?

[CDNWatchNut]

From your photo and description, your watch looks excellent as it is. If it was mine, I wouldn't risk asking anyone doing even a super light polish on it. It could easily end badly....

[77T]

Leave off the polishing until you're ready to sell IMHO.

[Chaching]

Hard to tell from your picture but I would hold off. If I would have anybody do it it would be Rolex hands down. They do an amazing job and watch will come back new.

[mmmk604]

If I was keeping a watch, I would polish it every time it goes in for a service (~7 years).
If I plan on flipping a watch, I would not have it polished...best to leave it in original condition.

[kilyung]

I have no qualms about letting RSC polish a watch. Otherwise nope.

[cht]

I would polish a 10 year old watch from RSC if you planned on keeping it, if it was 20 years old, not a chance since it could affect the value significantly.
:p

[HRV]

i would not polish, let the new owner see the original watch as is and let them do as they will

[subtona]

Just going to scratch again & quickly ill bet
Leave it be.....as the salesman explained when I bought mine when you get enough scratches its called a patina!

Enjoy it, great watch!

Ps if I were buying it, I would be thrilled if you hadn't polished it.

[RIPLEYXL9]

Thanks for the POSTS guys; as I see it is pretty subjective. MUCH APPRECIATED TO GET A CROSS SECTION OF VIEWS.
Personally I'm really not fussed either way. I tend to agree on letting it be for the new owner to decide. Hopefully if he's smart enough to make the cash to buy it he's smart enough to check out that RSC do an amazing job.
Wel I should qualify that my friend has a gold and steel GMT II and it was well to be blunt not cherished. After its service he showed it to me and honest to god you could have sold it as new - totally pristine.
One of the reasons I posted was I thought they must have taken so much off to get rid of his scratches I didn't fancy that on 18 ct.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by cht

I would polish a 10 year old watch from RSC if you planned on keeping it, if it was 20 years old, not a chance since it could affect the value significantly.
:p

Would most serisly doubt that and if the RSC does a polish it will have no effect on its retail sale now or it the future.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by RIPLEYXL9

When I sold my fathers SS 1963 GMT Master, all the dealers really liked it and commented on the lack of polishing traits.
It was serviced roughly every 6 years. And they all offerred good money for it, well a lot more than I expected.
This was all new to me but one big preowned dealer did show me a typical example that had been overpolished and I could see it almost looked like the profile had been very subtly changed.

Bearing in mind how adamant the buyers were about non polished watches, when I got my new solid Yellow Gold Submariner 16618 in 2002 I made a specific point of asking Rolex whenever they had it, not to polish it at all. I'm sure they Ultrasonic cleaned it or at least the strap as it looked cleaner but now I confess I do have a number of super fine micro scratches.
a] Should I leave them
b] Get a dealer to lightly polish them out
c] Leave till it's next service and ask them to be gentle with the polisher, re taking off corners etc. - as honestly these scatches are so fine you could probably get rid of these with a non abrasive MF cloth and a lot of elbow grease.
I do however have 3 scratches you can see on the clasp right across the middle section. Hell I've been so careful but life happens! They are not so deep a fingernail can feel or catch in them but boy can you see them.

My Personal view:- if I was keeping it I'd have it super gently polished, as I dont care what other people think, and removing the micro scatches completely would make it look brand new.
But I plan to sell it to replace with the 116618 so I am mindful of what most buyers would like.
Any views and if to hand polish is advised what would you recommend if one can do it oneself?

Quit saying your watch is 10 years old, it's over 20 years old. You have some unanswered questions that Mod's have asked you, and you need to answer them. For everyone else read this thread...https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=279322

[landroverking]

Gold and TT as well as SS come back from RSC looking new.
Just don't let them change any parts out. i.e. Bezel dial hands

[AmbSteve]

Originally Posted by subtona

Just going to scratch again & quickly ill bet
Leave it be.....as the salesman explained when I bought mine when you get enough scratches its called a patina!

Enjoy it, great watch!

Ps if I were buying it, I would be thrilled if you hadn't polished it.

Going to say the same thing. Watches should be worn and it is a given no matter how careful you are there will be scratches. If I saw one without any scratches I'd wonder about it's wrist time. I would not even worry about it and enjoy having such a beautiful watch

[RIPLEYXL9]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Quit saying your watch is 10 years old, it's over 20 years old. You have some unanswered questions that Mod's have asked you, and you need to answer them. For everyone else read this thread...https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=279322

Actually sombody just shut the thread before I could answer.
So actually your statement is libelous
If you look at this attached document you will clearly see why Rolex UK and Rolex Germany and my German Authorised Dealer say it is a 2002 watch - built in late 2001.
Rolex cusomer services UK say they have had the watch in 4 times and inspected it, and have adjusted the gain in 2004 under warranty; and in doing so they can clearly see that the movement was a 2001/2002 build. Rolex's position is that this is a 2002 watch as that Guarrantee, is its birth date certificate.
Other evidence ,as pointed out to me by a pretty experienced Forum member, who instead of insulting me actually tried to help is as follows:-
1. The watch strap is a 93258 SEL [Solid End Link] and has the number 750. Rolex UK have confirmed to me that my watch had a 2001 bracelet.
2. It also has a couple of tiny letters & numbers DE 2
Apparently DE = 2001 and 2 = February.
see http://www.minus4plus6.com/numbers.htm
Naturally I am not sure how accurate the clasp codes on this site are, but bow to the kind assistence of the poster who helped me. Personally I came on this site hoping for nice and kind helpful advice - not to be unjustly ridiculed and defamed.
The riducule bit I can take all day long; but I dont appreciate being defamed, and more than happy to persue it off forum.
3. If my watch is as you incorrectly purport to be 20+ years old why would Rolex SC in St James Sq. London i] Change a link for me ii] Swap the wrong link FOC and iii] Adjust the movement to correct a small gain under Warranty F.O.C?
As the lady at Rolex pointed out I think they would have spotted that!

In a strange way I do appreciate your comment; as it's just the evidence I need to make sure Rolex make an exception to their policy of not entering into written correspondence about exceptional cases surrounding serial number issues.

Personally I think the case blank was probably cast in 1991, and left on a shelf [no evidence just my suspicion, and also was a theory given to me by the Ciustomer Services in Cologne Germany] the watch was then assembled in late 2001 using a bracelet made in Feb 2001 and a 2001/2002 movement and shiped to Germany in late 2001, who then shipped it on to the Dealer in Stuttgart in late 2001.
[again no hard evidence buut seems logical and I suppose I have to beleive Rolex in both the UK and Germany]
Ideally I'd like it in writting - and will try and persue this.

[RIPLEYXL9]

Originally Posted by landroverking

Gold and TT as well as SS come back from RSC looking new.
Just don't let them change any parts out. i.e. Bezel dial hands

Yes I learnt that lesson when RSC changed a bezel on my farthers, but sent back the old one neatly packaged - I had asked them to fully repair it and make it like new - and I was delighted because it all looked brand new - for a 1965 watch not bad. But when I was selling it all the buyers were delighted I'd got the old part - don't understand that myself; but the cash offerred went down a lot until I found the old part.

[RIPLEYXL9]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Quit saying your watch is 10 years old, it's over 20 years old. You have some unanswered questions that Mod's have asked you, and you need to answer them. For everyone else read this thread...https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=279322

So now you have seen the paperwork, how about an apology.

Just out of interest who are the moderators who have asked me questions and what were they? I don't recall getting any pm's from moderators.

[kilyung]

Hey no hijacks guys.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by RIPLEYXL9

Actually sombody just shut the thread before I could answer.
So actually your statement is libelous
If you look at this attached document you will clearly see why Rolex UK and Rolex Germany and my German Authorised Dealer say it is a 2002 watch - built in late 2001.
Rolex cusomer services UK say they have had the watch in 4 times and inspected it, and have adjusted the gain in 2004 under warranty; and in doing so they can clearly see that the movement was a 2001/2002 build. Rolex's position is that this is a 2002 watch as that Guarrantee, is its birth date certificate.
Other evidence ,as pointed out to me by a pretty experienced Forum member, who instead of insulting me actually tried to help is as follows:-
1. The watch strap is a 93258 SEL [Solid End Link] and has the number 750. Rolex UK have confirmed to me that my watch had a 2001 bracelet.
2. It also has a couple of tiny letters & numbers DE 2
Apparently DE = 2001 and 2 = February.
see http://www.minus4plus6.com/numbers.htm
Naturally I am not sure how accurate the clasp codes on this site are, but bow to the kind assistence of the poster who helped me. Personally I came on this site hoping for nice and kind helpful advice - not to be unjustly ridiculed and defamed.
The riducule bit I can take all day long; but I dont appreciate being defamed, and more than happy to persue it off forum.
3. If my watch is as you incorrectly purport to be 20+ years old why would Rolex SC in St James Sq. London i] Change a link for me ii] Swap the wrong link FOC and iii] Adjust the movement to correct a small gain under Warranty F.O.C?
As the lady at Rolex pointed out I think they would have spotted that!

In a strange way I do appreciate your comment; as it's just the evidence I need to make sure Rolex make an exception to their policy of not entering into written correspondence about exceptional cases surrounding serial number issues.

Personally I think the case blank was probably cast in 1991, and left on a shelf [no evidence just my suspicion, and also was a theory given to me by the Ciustomer Services in Cologne Germany] the watch was then assembled in late 2001 using a bracelet made in Feb 2001 and a 2001/2002 movement and shiped to Germany in late 2001, who then shipped it on to the Dealer in Stuttgart in late 2001.
[again no hard evidence buut seems logical and I suppose I have to beleive Rolex in both the UK and Germany]
Ideally I'd like it in writting - and will try and persue this.

Mods shut your thread down because they smelled a rat... Anyway I won't hijack the thread, Sorry to the rest of you.. As far as polishing your twenty year old sub, go ahead. But when you put it up for sale, make sure you say it's twenty years old and not ten.. Just my .02

[Simon_e]

I wouldn't polish it until I was about to sell it

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by cht

I would polish a 10 year old watch from RSC if you planned on keeping it, if it was 20 years old, not a chance since it could affect the value significantly.
:p

That polished 10 year old watch would be a polished 20 year old watch in the not too distant future. I don't polish watches unless absolutely necessary.

For the people saying "I'd let Rolex polish it", that's no guarantee of a good job. They generally do a good job, but I've seen over polished watches come out RSC NY (and to a lesser extent Dallas). Any time a watch is polished you run the risk of getting burned.

[Renoir]

You could have the micro scratches polished out, but after that and after a few wears new ones will start to appear.

IMHO, I would not polish it. Cheers!

[floater156]

Can you post better pictures of your gold sub?

[MortgageGuy]

I would have no problem allowing RSC to polish it. Based on the limited pic you have shared though I would agree it doesn't appear it needs it

[mldaytona]

It still looks pristine for its age (20 years old, right?)

[RIPLEYXL9]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Mods shut your thread down because they smelled a rat... Anyway I won't hijack the thread, Sorry to the rest of you.. As far as polishing your twenty year old sub, go ahead. But when you put it up for sale, make sure you say it's twenty years old and not ten.. Just my .02

Wow you are a real piece of work.
You ask for the G'tee, I post a picture of it but you still insist its 20 years old, as YOU CAN SEE The Guarrantee CLEARLY STATES 8TH March 2002 on the certificate. So 2013 less 2002 in my book makes it `11 years old.
In addition the Bracelet clasp is stamped DE2 which means it was made in Feb 2001. Rolex UK say when they tuned the movement in 2004 and confirmed it was a 2001 movement. It also has SEL [solid end links] I think you will find these were not fitted 20 years ago on Submariners!
Both Rolex Germany and Rolex UK [the people who make the watch afterall] say it is 2002 watch, which was manufactured in 2001.


Yet you stalk me from another thread to this one, persisting, that it is a 20 year old watch. And continue effectively to insinuate if I were to sell it as a 2002 model, I'd be misreprenting the watch. That 's like saying Im fraudulently selling a 1993 watch as if it was a 2002 model.
Facinating - so who in that scenario would be the fraudster the Dealer who sold it to me or me representing what the manufacter has told me is a fact!

In any event That's a pretty nasty and serious allogation, because there is a difference in values - please remember I only posted in the first place on this site, to get information so I could be 100% sure NOT to misrepresent the watch incorrectly. So give me a break, what more do you want me to have done.
,
I am surprised considering your permenant habitat [as per your Avatar - picture ] that you are still, so full of it. I especially don't even see you as a gold Submariner owner [nothing like first hand knowledge] - looks like you just picked a hate campaign.
In fact I am so annoyed by your inference [which I treat as a serious charachter slur] I will get my solicitor to write to Rolex UK and ask them to clear this up in writing. I am not sure if they will respond; as I've already discovered on the phone they do not like commenting on this subject. Actually their MD allegedly prohibited it except in exceptional circumstances. And before your tiny brain insuates its because it's "FISHY".
I suspect its because Rolex quite understandably do not like the public knowing about manufacturing dates. Ask any professionally trained accountant why? Its simple, as one can see there is a difference in value between watches of different ages [excluding the vintage collector's market which is a totally different scenario] Rolex's accountants could ask them to write down the value of stock older than 12months. Worlwide that would be an astronimic number, secondly buyers would stand in their AD's and look at a watch a year old and instantly knock off the appropriate sum. Then the A|D's would be forced to discount or not sell, yet again building up even older stock. Likewise a huge overnight loss. Then the AD's accountants would also definitely ask them to write down the value of older stocks. Thus leading to more stock valuation write downs.
Yep stock write downs come straight of bottom line profits. So you only have to have an IQ of about 85 to see why they REALLY don't like commenting on this at all - ever.

This is actually very bad for Rolex, all of it's distributors and all the owners including me, as the Submariner is not my only Rolex [and it will be replaced by a 116618].
Official disclosure of date-serial no codes would reduce second hand values; because we as owners wishing to sell a nearly new model could find ourselves competing against an AD selling a BNIB discounted model.

If you doubt my logic - ask yourself why did Rolex in 2010 introduce the secret algorithym based serial number system! To precisely allow them to continue this practice. And hey, I as an owner support them 100% - excellent idea.

If you havent grasped the logic or can't deduct 2002 from 2013 and get 11. Please let me know if I manage to get a letter from Rolex stating mine is a 2002 Rolex manufactures in 2001; will you still insist that I label it as a 20 year old watch ! And if so on what basis do you make that.

I still don't know why you insist on having a go, I actually think this would have been an informative thread especially for first time Rolex owners.
Or any owner about to make a purchase. NB I specifically put on my order that I wanted a "completely new watch"
Please see copies of the G'tee certificate Rolex say is its Birth Date Card and the fax in which I ordered the watch back in 2002.
Those not aquainted with the thread might ask themselves in light of the words confirmed on the order- if in fact I was sold a watch Manafactured in 1991 [X generaly denotes that date] is that ethical trading. Rolex Germany have insinuated that it is possible that the Blank Watch Body [the bit with the serial number] could have been cast/forged in 1991 and then utilized in the 2001 build.

I am sure my Druid friend KNAPPO 1307, will no doubt next try and insinuate the watch is 1993 [not sure where he gets that 20 years - probably ESN Mathematics]
and that I bought a new movement and a complete new solid gold bracelet in 2001; just so I could pretend it was a 2002 watch. Hmmm wonder how many people think you could do that for less that the difference in cost between a 2002 and 1993 Submariner. So far it could be a maximum £2000 differential. Just guessing but I rekon a solid gold Oyster bracelet would be what £5,000! and a complete movement £3,000+ plus fitting.

[Chaching]

Looks like good enough proof for me! You didn't cover your SERIAL # !!!!

[Tony-GB]

You didn't cover the serial number. Now your watch could be sold all over the place as a 2013 model!

[patb]

It looks to me like when you put it up for sale it will be sold as an X serial number. Unfortunately no amount of paperwork is going to change that fact.

[CharlieSheen]

Originally Posted by RIPLEYXL9

I am surprised considering your permenant habitat [as per your Avatar - picture ] that you are still, so full of it. I especially don't even see you as a gold Submariner owner [nothing like first hand knowledge] - looks like you just picked a hate campaign.

What does an avatar about anything about any member? Just because my username is "CharlieSheen" doesn't mean I am bangin 7g rocks! :)

Many people on this site have a great assortment of pieces, as do you! I understand people are "hating" on you but no need for you to do the same, be bigger!