Buffed Lugs

[weng]

Got a pre-owned GMT2C (M series) a few months ago and noticed that the lugs had been buffed after comparing it to most, if not all the ceramic models posted here.




I am not happy at the way it looked. The lugs brushed finish is not as shiny as the brushed bracelet probably due to the diagonal pattern of the haspe/grain. See photo below showing the reflected light is not the same on the bracelet.


Is this a work of an RSC? I have no idea why the previous owner had this buffed. Usually this part of the watch gets the least scratches and IMO the scratch could have looked better (wild guess) than what it looks now.

I want to make it look like the original "vertical" haspe/grain to match the brushed bracelet. Can a scotch brite do the trick? Does it need a trip to RSC?

[InVision]

Definitely been polished hard. Lugs should look like these on my 11613, yours look rounded off. The key question, did a RSC do it? My guess is no, but is only a guess.

[mboverst]

Definitely not from RSC. Looks like the previous owner had it over buffed by a local hack

[weng]

Yup, I think the edge had been buffed hard. But a faint vertical grain is still visible just below the bezel so the flat part may not have been buffed hard. It looks like a work of an amateur as the grain is not consistent all the way on each lug.

Can a watchmaker bring it back to original?

[Dr.Godzilla]

I do not think it was done by RSC. Lugs should be brushed in straight (up-down) direction and not circular.

[Submarino]

Terrible polishing job!! Sorry mate!

[Puffy]

that's awful. i'd give it to Rolex so they can rectify the issue caused by the terrorist who did this.

my pet HATE is bad refinishing!!

I feel your pain mate

best of luck

[jeffrs82]

Sorry to see those, definitely not the work of Makati RSC, I see your bracelet, you're in cebu? im from cebu but living in NYC now, Imperial is nice...! Enjoy Cebu :)

[weng]

Originally Posted by si_jeff

Sorry to see those, definitely not the work of Makati RSC, I see your bracelet, you're in cebu? im from cebu but living in NYC now, Imperial is nice...! Enjoy Cebu :)

bought the watch from this forum so the buffing was done in USA.

musta bai :)

[xjeeunitx]

What an asshole. I hope it works out for you! I think the RSC charges roughly $100 for a polish job. Better yet, why don't you wait until you turn it in for a complete overhaul?

[RJC]

Ouch!!!

That's pretty far from ok

[weng]

Originally Posted by xjeeunitx

What an asshole. I hope it works out for you! I think the RSC charges roughly $100 for a polish job. Better yet, why don't you wait until you turn it in for a complete overhaul?

Thanks guys for all the inputs.

It's an M series so it's about time to send it for overhaul. It also had few issues, like it losses 6 sec/day and the hands lume is weaker than the marker.


Is the weak hand lume common to the GMT2C? I found a photo from another site showing the same issue but not as bad as mine.

[L00ker]

Yikes... RSC can correct that.

[Kanger]

That is terrible. Either RSC or an extremely skilled watchmaker like Rikki or Bob Ridley can correct that.

[Puffy]

RSC won do in-between polish jobs. shame you're not in the UK as I know a Rolex watchmaker who could rectify the issue in a day or two and at a very reasonable cost

[Z-Sub]

yes a terrible polishing job. for professionals, these are easier than the older 16710 with more defined edges. looks like the lugs are thinned as well.

but RSC anywhere in the world will restore to original luster for you.

[RolexYM]

Yeah, horrible!! This does not bold well for buying from TRF members!

[learningtofly]

Looks suspiciously like a DIY job to me - perhaps to get rid of some scuffs for the sale? I can't see any professional; being that bad!

[mboverst]

The lume issue scares me more than the polish job...did this piece come with matching warranty card with the serial numbers?

[Z-Sub]

lume on hands are usually less bright than the markers as the amount or thickness of the lume on hands are thinner

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Looks like the lug brushing was done by someone who didn't know the maxi case watches are brushed up and down while the older case (16610) are brushed on an angle.

[Payesrob]

yes, its a bad job, unless you like the uniqueness of it..Maybe the guy wanted to give it his own unique look..

[Melanotaenia]

if the lugs are rounded off it is going to be a little tougher to make them look like they did when the lugs were brand new....it looks like there was a considerable rounding of the edges on the case lugs on this watch. That sucks.

[landroverking]

Time to break out a greenie. V

[dmacintyre]

Right lug looks much worse. I'm guessing it was badly nicked / scraped and they polished it down past the depth of the nick. It looks thinner than the left.

Originally Posted by weng

[Tools]

Originally Posted by weng

Got a pre-owned GMT2C (M series) a few months ago and noticed that the lugs had been buffed after comparing it to most, if not all the ceramic models posted here.
. . .
I want to make it look like the original "vertical" haspe/grain to match the brushed bracelet. Can a scotch brite do the trick? Does it need a trip to RSC?

Somebody really did a bad job.. it happens... Definitely not an RSC job as the angles and grain are wrong..

If you are talented you can make it look better.. perhaps one of the fiber brush pencils made for touching up can make the lugs look better. You could also go to an AD with a watchmaker on staff and discuss refinishing the case.. he/she will have proper tools and know the grain and direction necessary..

[weng]

Originally Posted by mboverst

The lume issue scares me more than the polish job...did this piece come with matching warranty card with the serial numbers?

Yes, the watch and warranty card serial matched. The warranty card is unnamed and undated.

[weng]

Originally Posted by dmacintyre

Right lug looks much worse. I'm guessing it was badly nicked / scraped and they polished it down past the depth of the nick. It looks thinner than the left.

Both the lugs have the same width. It could be due to the rounded edges or angle the photo was taken.

[Speed]

Would you consider re-casing?

[pawnshopkiller]

From my Humble experience it looks as if someone did this without removing the bezel. The only way to make it look right without removing the bezel is to do the grain at an angle. Remove the bezel and brush the lugs up and down. No bid deal.