Refinish vs Polish?

[wroff]

Hello, just a quick question about the two. I am the new owner of a GMT Master II BLNR (116710 BLNR) and have been worried about scratches on the watch as anyone is with a new purchase.

I have been told time and time again that you should never polish your watch as it destroys its value. But, after watching videos on servicing a Rolex, the watchmakers seem to always "refinish" the watch before sending it back to their owners.

My question is, is there a difference between refinishing and polishing a watch? I would assume the watchmakers (and servicers) at Rolex know what they're doing and do not want to ruin the value of the watches... but the effect of refinishing seems a lot like polishing.

Any information would be a great help!

[presario]

Polishing is part of the refinishing process so the words are usually used interchangeably.

You can tell RSC not to refinish the watch. RSC usually does a great job, but there are a few times where they botched up polishes.

[crowncollection]

Polishing is an art, rsc are good and on newer models polishing or refinishing at service time is fine. Vintage is another story. A bad polish can ruin your watch. Choose carefully


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by wroff

. . .
My question is, is there a difference between refinishing and polishing a watch? I would assume the watchmakers (and servicers) at Rolex know what they're doing and do not want to ruin the value of the watches... but the effect of refinishing seems a lot like polishing.

Any information would be a great help!

Polish definition: To make smooth or glossy, usually by rubbing.

Refinish definition: To return to original finish

So, yes, they are different. You do not want to polish brushed surfaces, you want them refinished (re brushed).

Polish seems to be incorrectly used a lot as "slang" so you can sound like you are with-it, but if you go to a metallurgist or manufacturing jeweler and say you want your watch "polished", you will get it back all shiny and pretty, everywhere.. Is that what you really want ??

[tkerrmd]

Rolex will "refinish" your watch and it will come back looking like new. the PCL's will be refinished by "polishing" them

[murph145]

when i get my BLNR serviced i wouldn't mind getting it refinished/ polished. I doubt a great refinish will ruin the value of any modern time piece. If I were in the market to buy a used BLNR or other modern rolex for that matter I would want it nice and new looking not all scratched up from the previous owner :)

[rollee1]

I prefer unpolish. The look of over polished case, chamfers and flat coronet on the clasp, is harder to take than nicks and scratches; the latter adds character.
The one most important element is accuracy.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by murph145

when i get my BLNR serviced i wouldn't mind getting it refinished/ polished. I doubt a great refinish will ruin the value of any modern time piece. If I were in the market to buy a used BLNR or other modern rolex for that matter I would want it nice and new looking not all scratched up from the previous owner :)

That's what everyone thought back in the Day about their "new" Watches.Now look what a unpolished Vintage Piece sells for.

[wroff]

So are you saying that getting your watched refinished during servicing is okay and won't put me in danger of hurting its value? Or is it still altering the case/bracelet

[GolfPunk]

BUFFING can move displaced metal back in place.

POLISHING will usually remove some of the metal!

[rollee1]

Over polishing will hurt a watch's value.
Unpolish hurts desirability, does not lessen its value as long as the movement is accurate.