Routinely polishing to death

[Vetracer]

Hello All

As a watch enthusiast I've spent many years collecting and trading watches which I enjoy wearing and which I'm proud of. I'm fortunate to have received most of my twenty watch collection from AD's and being the original owner, I've opted not to polish any of my watches, even the ones I've owned since 2001. The fact I'm subscribed watch forums, I'm already confessing to having an unusual obsession for watches so please hear me out.

Prior to the spike in interest of watches (when watches were readily available and weren't items of speculation), I used to see unpolished examples for sale and cases were sharp and lugs were sharp and fat.

My observation now is that the big grey market dealers are each polishing watches routinely as part of their preparation process before sale. I've been disappointed when looking at watches which are only up to five years old. The cases and lugs are rounded. This is extremely evident to me because I have unmolested examples of most models at home. I guess unless you see an untouched watch you may not be able to see the extent to which the shape has altered.

After speaking to a couple of grey market dealers about this, they claim that they are giving buyers what they want and that the watches fetch better money when refinished. The problem is though, the rate at which watches are being worn and flipped now, it won't be long before watches are polished to death as each piece is repeatedly, routinely polished.

You wouldn't polish a Paul Newman Daytona so why does every watch which goes up for sale need a polish?

The irony is that if I presented any of my watches to a grey market dealer for sale, they'd attempt to lowball and then advertise my watches as "unpolished" for a large premium on top of the market price.

I understand that not everyone is carful when wearing their watches and that accidents happen but unless you have dents and damage to watches (which probably need to be laser filled), can we not just live with hairline swirls on the case and bracelet for the longevity and enjoyment of our passion?