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17 May 2019, 04:08 AM | #1 |
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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: |
17 May 2019, 04:10 AM | #2 |
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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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17 May 2019, 04:12 AM | #3 |
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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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17 May 2019, 04:14 AM | #4 |
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I agree. Don’t polish it. It looks great. Congrats on such a special find.
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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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17 May 2019, 04:21 AM | #6 |
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I say do it.
Why would you want some other persons swirl marks all over your watch? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
17 May 2019, 04:22 AM | #7 |
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Leave it!! Beautiful
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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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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... |
17 May 2019, 04:31 AM | #10 |
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17 May 2019, 04:32 AM | #11 |
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I’d leave it as is. Looks great!
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17 May 2019, 04:33 AM | #12 |
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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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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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17 May 2019, 05:22 AM | #14 |
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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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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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17 May 2019, 05:36 AM | #16 |
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I wouldn't polish. I think it's in good condition as is.
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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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17 May 2019, 06:07 AM | #18 |
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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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17 May 2019, 06:16 AM | #19 | |
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Quote:
It is unpolished! I made sure of it. It might just the way you see it in the picture. |
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17 May 2019, 06:27 AM | #20 |
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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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17 May 2019, 06:28 AM | #21 |
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Leave this alone.
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17 May 2019, 06:31 AM | #22 |
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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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17 May 2019, 06:56 AM | #23 |
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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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17 May 2019, 07:00 AM | #24 |
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RSC polish
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17 May 2019, 07:01 AM | #25 |
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I’d leave as is...looks great!
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17 May 2019, 07:03 AM | #26 |
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Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up!
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17 May 2019, 08:08 AM | #27 |
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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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17 May 2019, 08:11 AM | #28 |
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Leave it as it is. It will get scratched again anyway.
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17 May 2019, 08:11 AM | #29 |
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17 May 2019, 10:55 AM | #30 |
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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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