ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
15 December 2020, 01:27 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Toronto
Posts: 252
|
Recreating factory specs on a polished watch
I was scrolling through a very reputable vintage watch dealer’s website and noticed that most of his vintage watches that are listed for sale are in pristine pristine condition which was “professionally detailed to near factory specs”. It made me think that it is becoming harder and harder to find 5digits references in unpolished, original condition as they are becoming “vintage” (and I’m not even talking about 4dig subs, gmts etc). My question is if we really care to have “UNPOLISHED” watch when with today’s technologies we can recreate basically factory specs - chamfers etc.
What’s your opinion on this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
15 December 2020, 01:36 PM | #2 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 70
|
You seriously can’t discern the extreme thinness of the refinished watch? The lugs are so much thinner than they originally were.
|
15 December 2020, 01:40 PM | #3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Toronto
Posts: 252
|
Quote:
They look thicker to me Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
15 December 2020, 02:17 PM | #4 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 42,017
|
There is no refinishing that can be done on the damaged lugs in the bottom photo to make them look anything like the original dimensions on the upper photo. Even a massive laser welding project wouldn’t do it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Does anyone really know what time it is? |
15 December 2020, 02:37 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,195
|
But the perfect chamfers are on that same watch, aren't they? It's the same watch. The beaten and worn photo is the BEFORE and the gorgeous chamfers are on the AFTER.
|
15 December 2020, 02:38 PM | #6 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Toronto
Posts: 252
|
Quote:
Well, I’m pretty sure it was done - https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8JwjIg...=13tgcyznfaaiz Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
15 December 2020, 02:39 PM | #7 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Brad
Location: Purdue
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 9,243
|
They do amazing work. That is impressive.
__________________
♛ ✠ Ω 2FA Active |
15 December 2020, 02:40 PM | #8 | |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 42,017
|
Quote:
I’m pretty sure it was posted on Instagram.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Does anyone really know what time it is? |
|
15 December 2020, 02:41 PM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,195
|
Those chamfers... this is what is so sexy about the 4 digits.
|
15 December 2020, 02:52 PM | #10 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Don
Location: NC/WY
Watch: Me
Posts: 4,676
|
Lugs/cases are built up with weld all the time.
__________________
Purchasing your first non HOA home on a 3 acre lot DOES NOT equate to owning a “farm”. |
15 December 2020, 02:53 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Toronto
Posts: 252
|
Exactly
|
15 December 2020, 02:55 PM | #12 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Don
Location: NC/WY
Watch: Me
Posts: 4,676
|
Concur ............... chamfers should return to all sports models.
__________________
Purchasing your first non HOA home on a 3 acre lot DOES NOT equate to owning a “farm”. |
15 December 2020, 03:01 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 5,356
|
Bring back the chamfers! It's a great detail.
|
15 December 2020, 04:34 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,018
|
I bought this 2008 16610LV a while ago via a grey dealer, the owner told me that the watch was "slightly" polished. I don't have any other picture at the moment but I must say it looks and feels brand new to me. I'm not sure if I was just lucky enough to get a good condition Kermit, or that I'm just not sharp enough to tell the difference. The edges are sharp, the bezel has zero scratches. I personally much prefer buying a watch like this instead of being all banged-up.
__________________
Two-Factor Authentication Enabled |
15 December 2020, 04:58 PM | #15 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Real Name: Chris
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Watch: 1665,1675,1680,SD4
Posts: 1,837
|
Quote:
Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk |
|
15 December 2020, 07:07 PM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Socal
Posts: 1,028
|
|
15 December 2020, 11:58 PM | #17 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 70
|
To a discerning vintage collector, it’s incredibly simple to tell the difference between a recut case and an original.
|
16 December 2020, 01:20 AM | #18 | |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Brad
Location: Purdue
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 9,243
|
Quote:
But depending on price that's a killer daily!
__________________
♛ ✠ Ω 2FA Active |
|
16 December 2020, 01:53 AM | #19 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Brian
Location: Nashville
Watch: 16750
Posts: 6,622
|
As a vintage lover I’m a bit mixed on the subject.
I like the originality, and would love to see them all have been cared for and properly maintained through the decades, but the fact is there are so many stories these watches have and different levels of ten vastly of the care and attention past owners put upon them. The majority of owners didn’t really think or care about chamfers or lug width or anything for the most part. They were often worn and abused polished poorly just to make them shiny again to appease whomever owned it at that point and back in service for decades again. This has taken a toll on much of what collectors and vintage lovers really seek out in terms of good examples. That being said metal is malleable. Once some pieces have been put through the ringer from years of use and abuse I don’t see an issue with correcting that and bringing it back to where it was meant to be. However if it’s done to the rare other wise good examples just to command a further premium to those that aren’t overly aware I see it as an issue. I also feel that these services should be disclosed, because as I mentioned although some of us really look into them, others may not even realize a reworked case bracelet, bezel etc. is a thing.
__________________
16750 | 6516(wife’s) | 126334 | 16570 | SBGA413 | SRPE33 | 126610LV |
16 December 2020, 01:59 AM | #20 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2017
Real Name: Paul
Location: Southern Virginia
Watch: ROLEX
Posts: 2,544
|
Unless you are only in this for money/business reasons I see NO issue with a professional polish.
|
16 December 2020, 02:05 AM | #21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bay Area
Watch: Rolex, PP, Lange
Posts: 1,024
|
polished is polished, even if Rolex did it, it wouldn’t be the same finish as original. unless you get a new case.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
16 December 2020, 02:37 AM | #22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: Louis Nick Ric
Location: Michigan, USA
Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs,
Posts: 10,172
|
Quote:
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk |
|
16 December 2020, 02:47 AM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Real Name: Nick
Location: Las Vegas
Watch: 1601
Posts: 10,623
|
Looks good to me. People make a big deal about unpolished.
Done professionally at set intervals it’s fine. Done by an amateur everytime a hairline shows up is bad. |
16 December 2020, 02:53 AM | #24 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2017
Real Name: Paul
Location: Southern Virginia
Watch: ROLEX
Posts: 2,544
|
|
16 December 2020, 02:55 AM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Socal/LA
Watch: 116610LN Ceramic
Posts: 3,223
|
Yup looks like a weld buildup and a nice cut to make those perfect looking chamfers. Looks like they did a great job. But all depends on the watch you want, a vintage with all its scratches vs a vintage that looks new.
__________________
♛ Sub 116610LN 2011 ♛ GMT 126710BLNR 2021 ♛ GMT 126711CHNR 2020 ♛ Datejust 16233 X-series 1993 Ω Speedmaster Mitsukoshi 2019 č Cartier Tank w5200025 2021 |
16 December 2020, 03:01 AM | #26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: England
Watch: 16710, 16628
Posts: 7,757
|
One of the reasons vintage is a minefield. All kinds of jiggary pokery can go on to lift desirability.
__________________
GMT II 16710 TRADITIONAL ( D- Serial #) ROLEXFANBOY P-Club Member #4 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.