Restore or leave it? A q for all watch lovers

[lavaman]

So, I recently had my beloved TAG "restored"....that is, new hands, new crown, full service and pressure check, et cetera. This watch was first nice watch I ever bought, my college class ring if you will from nearly 20 years ago

Anyway, I stopped short of replacing the bezel, which has begun to fade after years of constant abuse (ex LEO/FF, triathlons, world travel, you get the idea). I also held off replacing the face (lume is shot, but oh well, as I recall it faded after a year or so when it was new)

the Q:

when "restoring" an old love, do you find yourself leaving the scratches and nicks in place? or do you want them taken out? Are these scars really evidence of past adventures, or the watch equivalent of laugh lines and cottage cheese thighs you'd just assume weren't seen in public?

(I am reminded of the proverbial grandfather's axe: I don't want to throw it out, but if it's had the handle and the blade replaced, is it still my grand dad's axe?)