6 digit case, the real reason they exist

[uncleluck]

Was just wondering if a maxi case sub might actually look good in 40 years after a load of polishes.

Perhaps that was Rolex’s thinking behind the maxi case, we can polish it back to new for the next 5 services and there will still be plenty of case left.

In 40 years time it might even be like a reverse of what we currently see on the vintage forum, I can see the posts now...

“there’s too much left of that case to be valuable”
“don’t send it to an independent for a sympathetic polish”
“I’d pass on that one, case is too thick”

They could look ok in years to come, but then again that ceramic bezel will still be shining away like a very shiny thing

Don’t take this post too seriously please folks, just a dreary Monday here

[ferrissteve11]

I think they made the case larger in keeping partially with the growing trend of larger wearing watches. Having owned both vintage and modern references, I'm in the modern camp as the various upgrades are worth it to me. My .02

[padi56]

Originally Posted by uncleluck

Was just wondering if a maxi case sub might actually look good in 40 years after a load of polishes.

Perhaps that was Rolex’s thinking behind the maxi case, we can polish it back to new for the next 5 services and there will still be plenty of case left.

In 40 years time it might even be like a reverse of what we currently see on the vintage forum, I can see the posts now...

“there’s too much left of that case to be valuable”
“don’t send it to an independent for a sympathetic polish”
“I’d pass on that one, case is too thick”

They could look ok in years to come, but then again that ceramic bezel will still be shining away like a very shiny thing

Don’t take this post too seriously please folks, just a dreary Monday here

Complete and utter nonsense anyone would think they removed half the case instead of perhaps a micron or so in normal routine polish.Below is a picture of my 1999 SD which I have two, now this watch has seen more use and abuse than most of today's Rolex owners will see in 10 life times.This was my working tool watch for many years as a dive guide and instructor PADI and BSAC with well over 600 hours under water.This watch has been serviced 3 times by the RSC mainly because it was a working tool watch.Yet if you put a new SD from the same timeframe you would have to look very very hard to notice any difference.As long as any Polish is left to routine service time there is no problem with RSC polish whether 5,or 6 series.


Picture after last service

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by padi56

Complete and utter nonsense....

I think that the OP has his tongue in his cheek.

At least, I hope so!

[AK797]

I personally think it was all Lee Harvey Oswald's idea.

[ashokleyland]

Originally Posted by uncleluck

Don’t take this post too seriously please folks, just a dreary Monday here

Good thing you put a disclaimer at the end to neutralized incoming triggered ones.. lol

[Psmith]

I'm having pizza for dinner

[uncleluck]

Originally Posted by ashokleyland

Good thing you put a disclaimer at the end to neutralized incoming triggered ones.. lol

I tried hehe

Was supposed to be an attempt at humour after reading the many 5 vs 6 digit threads.

Absolute nonsense no doubt but took up the space of another dealer warranty card thread.

[JonnyBCisco]

Originally Posted by uncleluck

Was just wondering if a maxi case sub might actually look good in 40 years after a load of polishes.

Perhaps that was Rolex’s thinking behind the maxi case, we can polish it back to new for the next 5 services and there will still be plenty of case left.

In 40 years time it might even be like a reverse of what we currently see on the vintage forum, I can see the posts now...

“there’s too much left of that case to be valuable”
“don’t send it to an independent for a sympathetic polish”
“I’d pass on that one, case is too thick”

They could look ok in years to come, but then again that ceramic bezel will still be shining away like a very shiny thing

Don’t take this post too seriously please folks, just a dreary Monday here

No, I think you may be not that far off. In addition to a more masculine look, Rolex is taking into account the fact that a lot of regular people (over)polish their watches. With these larger cases, they can polish away and it will continue to look good. Makes sense to me.

[jb335]

So you are saying Rolex intentionally released an ugly case* so it will be good looking in 40 years from now?


*not my personal opinion

[Onikage]

Vintage polished to hell blnr incoming. Still looks great!

[Likestheshiny]

Terrible polishing will mangle any case, and good polishing won't hurt a slimmer five-digit case. So, a thicker case changes nothing about polishing.

The cases are thicker because Rolex thought its buyers would prefer thicker cases. Watch enthusiasts are pretty split on that, but Rolex's very robust sales suggest strongly that general customers are quite happy with the current case design.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Terrible polishing will mangle any case, and good polishing won't hurt a slimmer five-digit case. So, a thicker case changes nothing about polishing.

The cases are thicker because Rolex thought its buyers would prefer thicker cases. Watch enthusiasts are pretty split on that, but Rolex's very robust sales suggest strongly that general customers are quite happy with the current case design.

Maybe because that's all they can get!

But see SD43, perhaps Rolex is backing down from the fat lugs...

[Justinmg]

Originally Posted by padi56

Complete and utter nonsense anyone would think they removed half the case instead of perhaps a micron or so in normal routine polish.Below is a picture of my 1999 SD which I have two, now this watch has seen more use and abuse than most of today's Rolex owners will see in 10 life times.This was my working tool watch for many years as a dive guide and instructor PADI and BSAC with well over 600 hours under water.This watch has been serviced 3 times by the RSC mainly because it was a working tool watch.Yet if you put a new SD from the same timeframe you would have to look very very hard to notice any difference.As long as any Polish is left to routine service time there is no problem with RSC polish whether 5,or 6 series.


Picture after last service

I always enjoy your no nonsense back to reality post!

[LuminousMaximus]

I felt the same way. If someone wanted to polish every 2 weeks, it would look better than new in about 20 years...lol

[bradyb]

All the extra meat on those lugs gives the chance for a sloppy polish job to be professionally corrected, as I've experienced.

Always buy the watch AND the seller, not just the seller.

[uansari1]

Bit of an aside, but my watchmaker (who is Rolex certified) suggested that the 904L cases are easier to polish and the metal “moves around” more like platinum rather than a lot of the material being removed as is typical of something like 316L. Any truth to this?

As far as the maxi case, I have three 5 digit models and picked up my first 6 digit only recently...I thought I wouldn’t like the move away from svelte lugs, but I honestly can’t fault it once it’s on the wrist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Bit of an aside, but my watchmaker (who is Rolex certified) suggested that the 904L cases are easier to polish and the metal “moves around” more like platinum rather than a lot of the material being removed as is typical of something like 316L. Any truth to this?

As far as the maxi case, I have three 5 digit models and picked up my first 6 digit only recently...I thought I wouldn’t like the move away from svelte lugs, but I honestly can’t fault it once it’s on the wrist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fact 904L is no harder than 316L, fact 904L will scratch and show scratches more than 316L.The only real slight advantage in 904L over 316L is if you have watch in a high salt/acid environment 24/7 which today is very very very doubtful.

[Andad]

That SD looks a bit babied to me Peter.