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Old 17 May 2019, 04:08 AM   #1
GHETTONA
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Picked up a birth year Submariner! Should I polish or not polish?

Hi guys,

So I just picked up an unpolished birth year Submariner today, full set with box & papers, booklets and anker.

I am incredibly happy with the condition of the watch. Although unpolished for it’s entire lifetime, it has only very minor dings that are very hard to see without magnification and a lot of swirls.

I’m debating whether I should leave the watch unpolished or give it a polish at LAWW + chamfer up the minor dings.

Would you guys give it a polish or leave it as is?

The bracelet seems to have a minor stretching. Is it frowned upon to tighten the bracelet? Sorry for the ignorance, it is my first time getting a vintage piece.

Thanks in advance!

Here are some pictures of the watch:
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:10 AM   #2
jph4387
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Leave it. You'll know every mark on the watch is from the years it's seen which matches you. You'll age together.
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:12 AM   #3
poidog81
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No! Its in great condition... keep the sharp edges. It'll look that that again in a year of wearing.
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:14 AM   #4
bobbyandy
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I agree. Don’t polish it. It looks great. Congrats on such a special find.
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:15 AM   #5
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No way. Looks like a well worn piece should. Nice watch!
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:21 AM   #6
tyngshen
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I say do it.

Why would you want some other persons swirl marks all over your watch?


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Old 17 May 2019, 04:22 AM   #7
abozz
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Leave it!! Beautiful
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:25 AM   #8
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Wow that is a great look. I wouldn't change a thing.
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:31 AM   #9
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Up to you on the polish. Most of that is probably unnoticable from a few feet away.

But it does look like it could use a good cleaning...
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:31 AM   #10
iBleedOrange
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Originally Posted by jph4387 View Post
Leave it. You'll know every mark on the watch is from the years it's seen which matches you. You'll age together.
Couldn't have said it any better.
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:32 AM   #11
s.m.b.
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I’d leave it as is. Looks great!


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Old 17 May 2019, 04:33 AM   #12
oldman2005
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I'd keep it the way it is just like the way you're, no amount of polish can bring you back to the wonder years
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Old 17 May 2019, 04:34 AM   #13
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Leave it as is and enjoy the crap out of it!
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Old 17 May 2019, 05:22 AM   #14
GHETTONA
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Would you also leave the bracelet stretching as is? Not sure if it is frowned upon to tighten a slightly loosen bracelet.
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Old 17 May 2019, 05:33 AM   #15
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Service it at RSC. It will look like new. I think many are paranoid due to bad polishing by some independents, but I've serviced many watches at an RSC and they've been fine. I believe at least some mods of this forum share that opinion.
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Old 17 May 2019, 05:36 AM   #16
piratfisk
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I wouldn't polish. I think it's in good condition as is.
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Old 17 May 2019, 05:47 AM   #17
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I don't get the whole 'do not polish' trend. As far as I am concerned, one, I do not want to see someone else's wear on the watch every time I look down, second, if done properly, the amount of metal removed is so negligible, it is virtually impossible to tell a difference between factory new and polished by competent, RSC type personnel. OP, I would give it a professional 'clean up' and start making YOUR own memories on your freshly serviced birth year Sub.
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Old 17 May 2019, 06:07 AM   #18
jrs146
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I say polish it. It looks like it’s seen a polish already so the “unpolished” status has already been taken. Therefore I’d want it looking as good and new as possible.


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Old 17 May 2019, 06:16 AM   #19
GHETTONA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrs146 View Post
I say polish it. It looks like it’s seen a polish already so the “unpolished” status has already been taken. Therefore I’d want it looking as good and new as possible.


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It is unpolished! I made sure of it. It might just the way you see it in the picture.
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Old 17 May 2019, 06:27 AM   #20
81sforlife
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I say polish it. It's a birth year watch right? So if you plan on keeping it forever why not polish lightly and put your own marks on it.
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Old 17 May 2019, 06:28 AM   #21
sensui
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Leave this alone.
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Old 17 May 2019, 06:31 AM   #22
coaxial
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Leave it. I like to see the wear on the watch & relive the stories Ive had with them on the wrist.
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Old 17 May 2019, 06:56 AM   #23
Monte Cristo
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Take it to RSC for service and polish, nowhere else. it will come back looking new and any scratches you put on it after that will be yours, not someone else’s.
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Old 17 May 2019, 07:00 AM   #24
Rocket launcher
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RSC polish
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Old 17 May 2019, 07:01 AM   #25
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I’d leave as is...looks great!
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Old 17 May 2019, 07:03 AM   #26
AJM914
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Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up!
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Old 17 May 2019, 08:08 AM   #27
Jrpontiac
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I bought a 5 series SD the was polished like new. I was OK with it because all the wear and tear I see going forward will be my history not the prior owners. So do you want the wear and tear to show the watch's history or your history?
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Old 17 May 2019, 08:11 AM   #28
Rolex.c6
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Leave it as it is. It will get scratched again anyway.
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Old 17 May 2019, 08:11 AM   #29
Irydium
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AJM914 View Post
Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up!
This!

Like some others have said, get a light polish to get rid of the minor scratches and swirl marks someone else had put on the watch over the years and start your own history with it.
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Old 17 May 2019, 10:55 AM   #30
MTdweller
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Up to you. I would, but only by RSC or a trusted professional. Some purists would cringe and it may affect resale to that crowd in the future.
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