Over-polished or ok?

[topcatlfc]

Hi all, i am considering making a purchase of a 2009 Submariner date, but was wondering if the supplied pictures look like the watch has bee overpolished? i asked for additional pictures (the ones on the original advert looked fine) so the dealer took some extra ones.

Anyone care to add their thoughts?

It's my first purchase so want to get it right!

[HogwldFLTR]

With those photos not showing a crown facing image I think they're trying to hide the polish job on the crown guards which look like they may have been over polished. Unfortunately, the thickness of the crown guards when new varied greatly so sometimes even new they were on the thin side. If I were buying the watch, I'd like thicker crown guards.

[Moondoggy]

Looks like it’s been polished with a chainsaw

[928ktgold]

The pictures are too bright and have too much lighting to see the details

[rolexperfect]

I agree... too much light to really evaluate this.

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Looks like it’s been polished with a chainsaw

[PalmTreeVIP]

Pass

[jimcameron]

What is your criteria for "over polished"?

It looks good to me, but I'm not part of the Polish Police.

If you are worried about it, wait for a new watch from an AD.

[topcatlfc]

missing picture

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

With those photos not showing a crown facing image I think they're trying to hide the polish job on the crown guards which look like they may have been over polished. Unfortunately, the thickness of the crown guards when new varied greatly so sometimes even new they were on the thin side. If I were buying the watch, I'd like thicker crown guards.

I have a picture from the advert (which shows the actual watch) and one taken by the dealer showing some detail of the crown guard.

[joli160]

Looks good to me, lousy pictures.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by topcatlfc

missing picture

I have a picture from the advert (which shows the actual watch) and one taken by the dealer showing some detail of the crown guard.

I'm sticking with "look for thicker grown guards."

[rambo99]

cant really see the watch is over polished or not, but those photos are definitely over exposed.

[karleone]

Pics quality is too bad to tell how is the polish. I don’t understand dealers providing crap pictures…

[Henrimontgomery]

Super pass

[Carondelet]

I'm not super biased toward or against polishing, so take my perspective with a grain of salt.

For me, if the price is right, the deal is right!

[brandrea]

Buy the seller.

Have you asked them about a service history?

[JodyHighroller]

Both 6 o’clock lugs have inconsistent taper between them imo.

[2001jesper]

I would pass on this one

[Bmats]

On some levels it also depends on the price. And what you plan on doing with it. For some older models at a fair price I wouldn’t care about polishing and even thinner lugs to some degree-but that’s based in part on the fact that I’m just going to keep and wear. And it’s doubtful some over polishing is going to be adverse 10-20 years from now.

[HHIslander]

If those lugs were in great shape, the seller would be showing them off.

I'd pass unless it's priced at rock bottom.

[rmagoo57]

Pics to crappy for me. Plus, if you have to ask us about condition, you're not ready to buy. Study pics of a NOS piece for comparison.

[topcatlfc]

Originally Posted by Bmats

On some levels it also depends on the price. And what you plan on doing with it. For some older models at a fair price I wouldn’t care about polishing and even thinner lugs to some degree-but that’s based in part on the fact that I’m just going to keep and wear. And it’s doubtful some over polishing is going to be adverse 10-20 years from now.

It's £8,750 and I was planning to keep it and wear until it is time to pass on to the kids.

[topcatlfc]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Buy the seller.

Have you asked them about a service history?

12 months remaining Rolex service, Watchfinder is the retailer

[SAlNlDllvllAlNl]

Its 2022 and dealers/sellers are still giving potato pics to potential buyers. Comeonnnn. Pass, just for the fact they took pics with a toaster for you to make a decision.

[rum77]

I would pass on it

[Letsgodiving]

Crown guards look over polished for my taste. Request better photos and if they balk I would pass.

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

If those lugs were in great shape, the seller would be showing them off.

I'm thinking the same thing. I'd be highlighting those beveled edges, if it was clean. The left lug on the last picture looked ok but not sure. Buyers shouldn't have to solve a puzzle.

[Tools]

Good looking watch in decent shape.

They are hard to find, so if the price is what you want to pay, don't let a bunch of opinionated Forum rats sway you too much.

Watch has clearly been cleaned up. "Over polished" is overused.

[topcatlfc]

Originally Posted by Tools

Good looking watch in decent shape.

They are hard to find, so if the price is what you want to pay, don't let a bunch of opinionated Forum rats sway you too much.

Watch has clearly been cleaned up. "Over polished" is overused.

Thanks, I came here looking for some genuine advice and the feedback couldn’t be more different, either it’s been polished with a chainsaw or it’s a pretty reasonable watch!!!

I have never posted before and am just a normal individual looking to make a once in a lifetime purchase and don’t want to make a big mistake. If people argue about 1k value either way I’m happy enough, but I don’t want to buy something that people who know this area in detail would sat stay well clear.

I apologise if some of my content wasn’t allowed, mentioning prices or dealer, although I have seen both things mentioned on here, and I did try to keep them in separate messages. Because people were saying it might be a reasonable buy depending on the price, I thought it would be ok to mention it.

Sorry again if I broke any rules, it’s just so hard to get a sub in the UK without either buying things you don’t want, or paying double, and I just don’t have that money.

[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Buy the seller.

Have you asked them about a service history?

Yeah, yeah buy the seller. EXACTLY.

Because watch salesman who have kind hearts, if they think really really hard with their thoughts, they can regrow chamfers, rounded edges with fun house type reflection in polished services. If they try really really hard, and if they are super reputable, AKA super trusted seller, they can even sharpen the previously rounded off edges. They need to be super trusted though to do that.

OP, most of these pictures are horrible. I can make a poorly polished watch look not so bad based on lighting and angle. You need to have the watch in your hand. I mean, you need someone with a proper barometer and sensitivity regarding polished watches to conduct that evaluation, and you are going to have to take their word for it.

There are many sellers on this forum, even regarded as trusted sellers, who polish pretty much all of their watches. I wouldn't want any of them!!

[Gab27]

The pictures may make it look better or worse than it actually is. They are just too blurry to say a lot about the condition of the watch. I am not sure if it is the pictures or the low resolution of the forum uploads?

I personally could not make that purchase if those are the best pictures available (I'd also want to know about service history as, if it has never been serviced, it's due for an overhaul). If this is a dealer, it leaves me wondering why they would take such bad pictures for something that costs as much as many cars?