Unpolished lugs

[WalterW]

Hey guys I’m a big into modern Rolex but don’t have a whole lot of vintage experience. I definitely trust my dealer as he’s super reputable but just want a second look. These look to me to be unpolished and uncut. What do you guys think? It’s a snowflake sub from the 70s





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[WalterW]

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[BrazenC5]

Looks polished / recut. Brushed marks look too new and chamfers too sharp for a 50 year old watch.

This is an example of how wear would look like from the same era.


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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

Looks polished / recut. Brushed marks look too new and chamfers too sharp for a 50 year old watch.

Absolutely agree. Even trustworthy dealers can be wrong.

[Dan S]

If you can't tell the difference, maybe it shouldn't matter to you.

[springer]

[QUOTE=WalterW;11951993]Hey guys I’m a big into modern Rolex but don’t have a whole lot of vintage experience. I definitely trust my dealer as he’s super reputable but just want a second look. These look to me to be unpolished and uncut. What do you guys think? It’s a snowflake sub from the 70s



Very thin for original lugs. They've been worked over at some point.

[WalterW]

Originally Posted by Dan S

If you can't tell the difference, maybe it shouldn't matter to you.

Good point, I still have a lot to learn. Been doing plenty of research so that can actually point out a unpolished or nos piece in the future. I’ve owned a few vintage pieces but all were well polished. Something I couldn’t get over so I sold them. So I’d like to find a really sharp example to keep as an heirloom. Also thanks for the advice fellas.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by WalterW

Good point, I still have a lot to learn. Been doing plenty of research so that can actually point out a unpolished or nos piece in the future. I’ve owned a few vintage pieces but all were well polished. Something I couldn’t get over so I sold them. So I’d like to find a really sharp example to keep as an heirloom. Also thanks for the advice fellas.

Have you tried lunaroyster or Tropical Watches? These guys are top notch. If you’re looking for something unpolished, they will absolutely have it or find it for you.

[joli160]

40 years old watch and not a mark on it ?
Your seller is living in fairy tale land

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by joli160

40 years old watch and not a mark on it ?
Your seller is living in fairy tale land

Agree. I'd go with a different dealer. Either he's not telling the truth or he doesn't know what he's doing. Not somebody I'd be looking to pay 13 - 15k to...

[Tom1675]

Yeah, but are we really all caught up in the fact that the dealer said unpolished? Yes it is clearly polished are but the OP has done the right thing here and come to the group for assistance.

"Unpolished" is ubiquitous these days and we all know the likelihood of an unpolished example out there in the wild is very slim on a 40+yr old piece... I say post a comprehensive group of photos and let us just evaluate it. It looks a little thin but not unbuyable from what I see. Price is right could be fine.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

It looks a little thin but not unbuyable from what I see. Price is right could be fine.

It's not the watch that's the problem - it actually looks quite nice. It's the dealer that's the issue.

If he's a proper dealer rather than a random eBay seller, he must know it's been polished and detailed, but is claiming otherwise. That's a dealbreaker right from the start for me regardless of the condition of the watch.

Buy the seller. I'm not buying that one.

[springer]

The Tudor Sub lugs, as depicted below, are way over refinished - or polished if you prefer - and not for the faint of heart! I prefer the factory fat lugs(see the 5513 photo below) before they become overly refinished.

[Dan S]

True, very often the refinished cases have overemphasized chamfers.

[rmurphy]

That 5513 is where it’s at for me, thanks for your knowledge fellas.


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