To polish or not to polish?

[NigeG]

Recently my 16610 stopped working. Today I had the opportunity to drop it into Rolex UK HQ Service Centre in Kent.

A somewhat odd experience with completely contactless communication with one of the technicians. Where you place the watch in a tray which is slid under a glazed panel similar to buying tickets to a train. She then takes it away for initial assessment whilst I have a coffee in the waiting area.

When she returns I’m informed that the full service will be £700 and that a new genuine crystal £150 (I suspected what was fitted was not genuine Rolex).

I said I was unsure about having it polished or not. She explained that in her opinion it was in good condition and there would be minimal material removed in the refinishing process and once they send me the formal quote I can make the decision.

At some stage it has had a service bracelet fitted and I guess it was refinished at the same time. It’s certainly in better condition than several I’ve seen of similar age.

There is a really small ding on the top edge of the case around the 2.00 o’clock area. Less than the size of a pin head. This worries me a little if I have the case refinished. The bracelet has a small amount of marks on it.

My initial thoughts are to leave the watch head alone and just have the bracelet done. But is that going to look a little odd?

Happy to hear opinions. Unfortunately I don’t seem to have any pics showing the small ding.

Thanks

Couple of pics from a couple of months ago





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[train-time]

Nice watch! If it were mine and was getting full service with a new crystal, I would go for the full spa treatment. It will look new!

[Old Geezer]

I send my watches in for service every 7 to 10 years and like them returning looking as close to new as possible.
I don't subscribe to the never polish idea. My own 16610 from 1992 has been serviced 3 times. Each time it was serviced and polished. If there is a difference in any of the contours or surfaces, it's certainly not obvious unless perhaps if it is measured with a micrometer. FWIW, they don't remove excessive material and polish out every imperfection. Mine has a few deeper nicks that are still visible after RSC services.

[Mate1974]

Sounds like you had quite an interesting experience at the service center. It’s always a bit of a dilemma when it comes to refinishing, especially with a piece like the 16610. Given that it’s in good condition, it might make sense to leave the watch head untouched, especially since the ding is so minor and might not be noticeable after the service. Keeping the case as original as possible can help maintain its character and appeal over time.

As for the bracelet, a refinish could freshen it up without taking away from the overall look. It wouldn’t necessarily look odd since the bracelet sees the most wear and tear, so cleaning it up can actually enhance the watch without disrupting the balance.

Ultimately, it’s about what will make you happiest with the watch. If the small imperfections on the case don’t bother you, it could be worth leaving them as part of the watch’s story. Either way, it’s great you’re having it serviced, and the 16610 will be back to running perfectly soon!

[joli160]

I like it when a watch comes back looking new after a service.

[cdmorenot]

Your watch looks great! I wouldn't polish it based on condition.

[fskywalker]

I would do the polishing as part of the service for sure as am not polish adverse like others here


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[INC]

Originally Posted by NigeG

When she returns I’m informed that the full service will be £700 and that a new genuine crystal £150 (I suspected what was fitted was not genuine Rolex).

I think replacing the crystal is a good idea.

About the polishing: This watch looks perfectly fine in my opinion, so in my humble opinion it absolutely DOES NOT NEED to be polished. What's more, you wouldn't have even thought of it if it hasn't have a failure. I conclude from this that you like this watch and want to own it for a long time. In this case, it might be worthwhile to renew it, because this way the second-hand price is completely uninteresting, as you don't want to sell it at all.

That is why I think that if you decide to opt for polishing, then every part must be polished to get the perfect result. I think it would definitely look silly if only the case or the bracelet looked like new. If I would see a watch this way, it would follow from this that the watch is not original, because it would look like one part has already been replaced.

[subtona]

Just getting broken in

[majidessa]

You only live once and there is no need to wear a scratched watch, it is like wearing torn clothes because they still fit.

I would polish my watches every 10 years when they are being serviced. The only exception would be for rare watches that worth tens of thousands and yours aren't.

[Calatrava r]

I have no big opinion on polishing per se, but your watch looks fine. There is nothing to be gained by polishing it in this instance.

[physicist]

I am in the “Don’t polish” camp. If I sell a watch, then who ever buys it will get an unpolished example…. Or my kids will get an unpolished example. Either way, they can do what they want with it.

[Sublovin]

For me, the term overpolishing implies a poorly done job, or polishing when it doesn’t need it. I recently had my Deepsea serviced by Rolex and did not polish because it truly didn’t need it. Wasn’t due to fear of polishing. This notion of not polishing a watch for fear of losing some value, is misapplied in 99% of cases. If your watch isn’t particularly valuable or collectible, denying yourself the benefit of keeping your watch looking nice is foolish
All my opinion.

[physicist]

I guess I should also point out that I could care less if my watches are scratched up or not.

[physicist]

Even a perfect polish job, done too many times, rounds the watch off.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Your watch looks to have been polished at some point in it's life already. I'd go with a polish.

[brandrea]

I’d leave it be. It’ll just get scratched up again

[omar-rye]

The question is whether Rolex will retain the chamfers or polish them to resemble a 6 digit Sub. I read here that they don't go through the trouble of keeping the chamfers.

[Tools]

I'm not opposed to having a watch properly refinished from time-to-time.

This one is being sent in because it is broken, not thrashed, and its cosmetics are still just fine for a watch that is worn frequently.

It's a personal choice, but here I could go either way. Flip a coin.

[csaltphoto]

I tend to miss the brushed surfaces more than the polish. After 6 years my sub has a ton of hairlines/swirls in the polished areas but they are basically invisible from more than a foot away. But I do miss the clean brushed look where many parts have been sleeve polished.

[Lol-x]

Get it polished bro..

Its about time for a polish and Rolex polishes are very slight (you can even ask for a light polish). So its just going to make the watch look factory fresh and I can't see any downside to that.

[Leeh]

Since your Sub appears previously polished (guessing not from RSC). I’ll let RSC perform a light polish to freshen it up. I’m more curious about the crystal replacement and if you can insist on the current AR coated ones. I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

[Tomas Eriksson]

5 digit subs looks the best with some wear on it. I think it looks good and would personally skip the polish.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by train-time

Nice watch! If it were mine and was getting full service with a new crystal, I would go for the full spa treatment. It will look new!

Have to agree my 16600 SD had a very hard life working as a real tool watch with hundreds of hours underwater. And its been serviced and polished by now 4 different RSC world wide now almost 25 years old still looks good today.

[travisb]

Since it's service time, I'd have it polished. It'll look and feel like a new watch.

[1William]

If you are good with the looks I would just have the service and crystal work done. I am not opposed to a polish on non-tool watches but this is a Sub.

[CH69]

I am torn on polishing vs non polishing. I like my watch looking new especially after servicing so am for polishing, but I also know i WILL scratch the watch again so fear that it may be a waste of money.

[Praise567]

Nice watch,would get it polished.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by physicist

Even a perfect polish job, done too many times, rounds the watch off.

Well with today's mainly pampered watches would say around 4-5 routine RSC service before you would notice any difference that's 30-40 years of wearing.

[OG1982]

Yikes. That thing has seen a polishing wheel or two already!


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