These lugs are significantly overpolished, right?

[recapt]

Originally Posted by karleone

OP next time you should post on the Vintage section. Much more vintage experts there!

Good call. Thank you for pointing this out.

[1675-David]

It’s not bad, remember that back then these watch cases were finished by hand. No 2 left the factory exactly alike, uneven lugs, skinny cases, fat cases, uneven crown guards, tolerances were not to the 0.001 mm that they are today and you can’t look at these watches through a modern lens. The OPs watch looks OK in my opinion.

[recapt]

Chiming back in to thank everyone who’s contributed to the discussion. It’s been great hearing the different points of view.

As an update, I’ve decided I’m not a buyer on this one. I’m not in a hurry and would prefer to pay more for one that’s in better condition.

Happy to share a link to anyone who is interested, though. Just message me. I have no affiliation whatsoever to the seller.

[karleone]

The one here is much more appealing - here unpolished

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/xu2u

There is nothing wrong with a watch being polished when it’s done perfectly by a polishing expert but most of the time the polishing job is bad (like in OP’s example - chamfers gone, weird brushing on lugs that’s not factory finish) even if it has been polished by Rolex AD or RSC.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by karleone

The one here is much more appealing - here unpolished

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/xu2u

There is nothing wrong with a watch being polished when it’s done perfectly by a polishing expert but most of the time the polishing job is bad (like in OP’s example - chamfers gone, weird brushing on lugs that’s not factory finish) even if it has been polished by Rolex AD or RSC.

$12,850 is about right for that I'd say.

However, I bought one just like the OP showed (8.4 mill matte) last month for £7,150/$8,900 and was very happy with it - condition was price reflected in my mind - and SHWR will fix it up nicely for £200-250. Each to their own though

[tekno]

Originally Posted by TuRo

$12,850 is about right for that I'd say.

However, I bought one just like the OP showed (8.4 mill matte) last month for £7,150/$8,900 and was very happy with it - condition was price reflected in my mind - and SHWR will fix it up nicely for £200-250. Each to their own though

Who is SHWR?

You’re not in the states correct? It’s amazing what a case-lift can do for a watch.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by tekno

Who is SHWR?

You’re not in the states correct? It’s amazing what a case-lift can do for a watch.

Steve Hale Watch Restoration - In UK where I am.

[tekno]

There are plenty watches that are just too worn out to consider, so I get what you’re saying. I don’t think it’s good to recommend project watches to people new to vintage.

Many of the dolled up watches @ big name dealers selling to “true collectors” start off looking just like this. If you know what your getting into & have the knowledge, you can buy watches and bring them up to collectible status. This one just hasn’t been to the spa. I don’t know that this one is too far gone.

[KY..]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
Personally I don’t chase perfect this-and-that as everything pretty much has some level of flaws.
This is a watch with tolerable flaws to some, and not so tolerable flaws to others.
It may be much better looking to everyone if the price is great to them.