Polish Thoughts

[ajh77]

I wanted suggestions on whether I should have my 18238 polished. This is a watch I rarely wear, maybe wore once since getting polished in 2022 by Rolex when it was serviced.

I sent the watch to Rolex in Dallas in March of 2024 for a dial swap. Before sending in the watch I observed it and knew it was not scratched because it was not a watch I wore. When I received the watch back from Rolex it was scratched.

I sent the watch back to Rolex Dallas in April 2024 to get a new dial that I finally decided on and now I can’t decide if I should have them polish the watch while it is there.

I assume they will not over polish.

I am fine with scratches if I cause them that is why I am leaning toward having them polish the watch.

How bad is it to get a vintage day date polished twice in 2 years by Rolex ?

[gamingdoctor]

I'm not polish, but I'll give my thoughts

If it's already been serviced recently, then why not get it polished at a local trusted jewelry store? I'm not sure Rolex always takes requests to not polish, but I suppose that depends on the RSC.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ajh77

. . .
I assume they will not over polish.

. . .

How bad is it to get a vintage day date polished twice in 2 years by Rolex ?

"over polished" is over used. The RSC does not over-polish, although some purists seem to think that the edges need to be squared and sharp enough to cut your fingers. It's perspective.

If you want a scratch taken out, then add that request to your dial change order. There is no reason that the RSC would re-finish everything every time a watch comes in for work.

[Turpentine]

Pierogi or Borscht for supper? Or perhaps both?

[brandrea]

I wouldn’t bother, but that’s just me. It’ll only get scratched again

[rossi46]

Post some pics so we can see how "bad" the scratches are.

[ajh77]

Thank you for the replies. I don’t have the watch it’s in Dallas

[karleone]

I always ask my watch not to be polished during service and made it written. Why? Because my watches are either unpolished or repolished but very well done so I don’t want to take the risks Rolex messing up with polish. Whatever people who are fan of polishing says a repolished watch would never look as good as a factory unpolished Rolex. Especially on 4/5 digits Sub/SD/GMT/Explo 2 where the case have bevels/ chamfers most of watches after a repolish lose these bevels/ chamfers that were originally there when the watch left the factory. It’s very common to see as well rounded lugs, lug holes surface not sharp, rounded crown guards, lug holes too close from bevel/ chamfer if still there etc. An additional problem is lugs not being V brushed as it supposed to be on 4/5 digits or with a grain different from Rolex factory finish. People saying a Rolex will come back as new after RSC are just not enough knowledgeable. On a 4/5 digits best case your watch has been repolished by an expert like Rolliworks or LAWW or someone very qualified at RSC and it will look decent / great (but not 100% orignal factory finish). Worst case your watch has been polished not by an expert (and it happens a lot even by Rolex RSC) and your watch has no more scratches so form a non expert looks new but someone who know about polish / repolish will be able to say watch has been repolished and it won’t look as good / not as sharp as initially

[996marty]

For a watch that gets such light use I wouldn’t bother getting it polished

[ajh77]

Thank you for the replies. Decided to not have Rolex polish the watch and if I want it polished later since I will be wearing it more will go to LAWW since they are 15 mins from my house.

[bkay001]

It could be a good option to consider. Ultimately, it's about what makes you happy and comfortable with your watch!

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by Turpentine

Pierogi or Borscht for supper? Or perhaps both?

Exactly!! I clicked looking for a good pierogi recipe!

[Submariner868]

Originally Posted by Turpentine

Pierogi or Borscht for supper? Or perhaps both?

Pierogi, s’il vous plait; je n’aime pas le bortsch.

[georgew]

Originally Posted by 996marty

For a watch that gets such light use I wouldn’t bother getting it polished

this is where I'm at - especially since it was polished in 2022. It's a watch, and if you wear it and enjoy wearing it it's going to get scratched.