Why does anyone polish watches?

[FlyingMoose]

Back in the day, a gentleman often had a coin collection. He would look at the coins, and polish them so that they were nice and shiny. Even now, people who don't know any better will polish coins.

Modern coin collectors look back with horror at the destruction of the finish, and polished or cleaned coins are pretty much worthless compared to even heavily worn specimens that wern't polished.

Often when I see a gold Rolex for sale (like a DD or Sub), the light hitting the sides of the links shows a slight bevel that's never there from the Rolex factory. I also see fluted bezels with the peaks worn down from polishing. It always makes me cringe, and I would rather buy a scratched up watch that was never refinished.

I am very surprised that we, who consider ourselves experts and connoisseurs, will recommend using something abrasive like a cape-cod cloth or scotchbrite pad to modify the finish on a watch. Even having Rolex refinish the watch removes material and leaves signs that it was polished.

To borrow a line from Patek, you don't really own the watch, you merely take care of it for the next generation. Why don't we insist that watches never be refinished?

[kilyung]

Because watches aren't investments or even collectible (excluding vintage) so why not polish it for our own enjoyment?

[FeelingTheBlues]

I own vintage watches and although at times the selection isn't very wide (for more unique models) if I have the choice I prefer to go with a scratched and dinged watch than something polished (or over polished). I prefer to keep the natural look of a watch that aged and was fully enjoyed by its previous owner(s).

Having said that, it remains a matter of opinions and tastes. Some like to see scratches, others don't. C'est la vie!

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't see the point of polishing watches, because they will just get more scratches, anyway.

However, not everyone who owns a watch cares about what the watch will be worth on the secondary market and not everyone in the secondary market cares whether a watch has been polished and might indeed prefer that it is.

I would guess that most Rolex owners have never heard of TRF or any other watch forum and probably never give a thought to watch collecting.

[submariner66]

For the same reason that I polish my shoes, my car or even brush my teeth, I want to look good and feel good. The myth of taking metal away, is just that, a myth. Shine your watch and enjoy. Its like saying why take a bath your just going to get dirty again.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by submariner66

For the same reason that I polish my shoes, my car or even brush my teeth, I want to look good and feel good. The myth of taking metal away, is just that, a myth. Shine your watch and enjoy. Its like saying why take a bath your just going to get dirty again.

Actually it's no myth.

[subtona]

Perhaps, To resell them to someone who has no existing opinion of polishing & wants a new preowned watch.

[kieselguhr]

I agree to a point. Over-polishing a watch (cape cod/scotchbrite/dremel) is certainly a no no in my book. However I wouldn't mind a professional refinishing by Rolex every 7 years.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Actually it's no myth.

Not a myth but a fact.

[horseco]

Not polishing your watch because its just gonna get scratched, is like not making your bed because you are just gonna sleep in it... I like my things to look as new as possible for as long as possible... I polish regularly !

[submariner66]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Actually it's no myth.

The amount of supposed metal thats removed amounts to a myth. Many scratches also remove metal as does wearing it. Ever seen a bronze statue where everyone touches it? Everything is in a continual state of decay. Thats why its a myth, not something to worry about, the average lifetime of routine maintenance is not something to worry about. In fact its kind of what gives an older watch that soft worn look. Now if your talking about putting it on a wheel every week then thats going to over do it.

[HL65]

As for me I would never polish any of my vintage watches but don't see harm of a light polish to modern watches by RSC. If you want to polish your watches go for it as they are yours so do as you wish!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by submariner66

The amount of supposed metal thats removed amounts to a myth. Many scratches also remove metal as does wearing it. Ever seen a bronze statue where everyone touches it? Everything is in a continual state of decay. Thats why its a myth, not something to worry about, the average lifetime of routine maintenance is not something to worry about. In fact its kind of what gives an older watch that soft worn look. Now if your talking about putting it on a wheel every week then thats going to over do it.

Polishing alters the original lines of the watch when done by professionals, when done by hacks it can be disastrous.

RSC polished the bezel edge of my sub to the point it was difficult to grasp to turn. Pointless imo.

[submariner66]

Originally Posted by subtona

Polishing alters the original lines of the watch when done by professionals, when done by hacks it can be disastrous.

RSC polished the bezel edge of my sub to the point it was difficult to grasp to turn. Pointless imo.

Wow, that doesn't sound good! I was talking about the kind of polishing we or I do by hand. Certainly on a wheel you can literally carve metal with the right abrasive. Even discs act as an abrasive. Having it done right makes all the difference. You would think RCS would do it the right way?

Call me crazy, its ok, I actually like the softer look of an older watch thats been worn out a little. But I can see wanting to preserve as much as you can and keeping them looking crisp.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by subtona

RSC polished the bezel edge of my sub to the point it was difficult to grasp to turn. Pointless imo.

Really? I was under the impression RSC utilized magical fairie folk for polishing/refinishing jobs. Or at least precise computerized machinery.

[bobert]

Just my opinion...Scratches on the bezel, or top of the watch, bother me more than scratches on the bracelet. Polishing to remove a scratch (except superficial) is different to me than polishing to restore luster. You only need to remove surface contamination (obviously) to make it shiny again. I have a YM with Platinum bezel and removed a surface mark that would not rub off. The mark was at the 12 o'clock position and every time I looked at the watch, I saw it. It bothered me, so I took care of it. I would need an electron microscope to see any difference from the original. The scratches on the bracelet do not bother me. I used to wear a Tag Heuer, and the bracelet was well worn. I liked the look of the accumulated (normal) wear and tear, especially when the patina became uniform.
-B

[submariner66]

Sometimes I wish the sub had brushed sides on the watch head and bracelet sides as well. But it probably looks far better like it does.

[bde]

Originally Posted by submariner66

The amount of supposed metal thats removed amounts to a myth. Many scratches also remove metal as does wearing it. Ever seen a bronze statue where everyone touches it? Everything is in a continual state of decay. Thats why its a myth, not something to worry about, the average lifetime of routine maintenance is not something to worry about. In fact its kind of what gives an older watch that soft worn look. Now if your talking about putting it on a wheel every week then thats going to over do it.

My old laminated desk surface basically filed the edge of the clasp on one of my bracelets from just years of normal wear. So the amount of metal taken off from correctly polishing a watch every so often is imperceptible.

Originally Posted by kilyung

Because watches aren't investments or even collectible (excluding vintage) so why not polish it for our own enjoyment?

Amen brother!

[threemonkeys]

I agree with the comparison of polishing one's shoes. And I'm more concerned with my current enjoyment of my watches rather than some yahoo's ability to enjoy the watch when I'm gone - even if the yahoo happens to be one of my sons.

[Coubs]

Will RSC service a watch without polishing it?

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Coubs

Will RSC service a watch without polishing it?

You have to clearly specify, but yes.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Actually it's no myth.

Except with platinum...it has the unique quality of just "moving around" when scratched or polished.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by submariner66

Sometimes I wish the sub had brushed sides on the watch head and bracelet sides as well. But it probably looks far better like it does.

It does.......It's called the PELAGOS

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Not a myth but a fact.

.....yes a fact.removing enough metal that its noticeably "thinner" to the human eye. no. not with cape cod anyway, unless you fingers are bleeding and you have been at it for a week....

[Coubs]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

You have to clearly specify, but yes.

Good to know. Thanks Nick!

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

i think everyone with a few exceptions buys a rolex and gets bored of it after a while and then sells it, of course everybody wants top dollar for their watch.
the problem is that when selling it if there is even the slightest imperfection on it people will try to negotiate the price much lower and complain that it is damaged and not mint and will cost money to fix and so on

[FlyingMoose]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

You have to clearly specify, but yes.

Last I heard it wasn't any cheaper, though.

[77T]

Originally Posted by FlyingMoose

Last I heard it wasn't any cheaper, though.

True - deleting the polishing doesn't reduce the set charge for a routine service.

[GradyPhilpott]

I get the impression that some of us are talking about polishing with a clothe to spiff up the luster of the watch, while some of us are talking about the polishing that jewelers do to remove scratches that definitely does remove metal.

I want my watches to look good, too, and that's why I wash mine regularly, but I don't even give a second thought to the scratches that are inevitable, even after one wearing.

Take a good look at my watches and you will find scratches. Stand back a few feet and, presto, there are no visible scratches.

If you notice the scratches on my watch, you are definitely in my personal space, which will almost certainly incur my wrath.

[kieselguhr]

I can't imagine a soft cloth taking off precious metal, much less stainless steel. But a 'polishing cloth' does, albeit at a microscopic level. I doubt its noticeable to the human eye.