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GHETTONA · 17 May 2019, 04:08 AM

Hi guys,

So I just picked up an unpolished birth year Submariner today, full set with box & papers, booklets and anker.

I am incredibly happy with the condition of the watch. Although unpolished for it’s entire lifetime, it has only very minor dings that are very hard to see without magnification and a lot of swirls.

I’m debating whether I should leave the watch unpolished or give it a polish at LAWW + chamfer up the minor dings.

Would you guys give it a polish or leave it as is?

The bracelet seems to have a minor stretching. Is it frowned upon to tighten the bracelet? Sorry for the ignorance, it is my first time getting a vintage piece.

Thanks in advance!

Here are some pictures of the watch:

jph4387 · 17 May 2019, 04:10 AM

Leave it. You'll know every mark on the watch is from the years it's seen which matches you. You'll age together.

poidog81 · 17 May 2019, 04:12 AM

No! Its in great condition... keep the sharp edges. It'll look that that again in a year of wearing.

bobbyandy · 17 May 2019, 04:14 AM

I agree. Don’t polish it. It looks great. Congrats on such a special find.

Deep18 · 17 May 2019, 04:15 AM

No way. Looks like a well worn piece should. Nice watch!

tyngshen · 17 May 2019, 04:21 AM

I say do it.

Why would you want some other persons swirl marks all over your watch?

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abozz · 17 May 2019, 04:22 AM

Leave it!! Beautiful

RTG · 17 May 2019, 04:25 AM

Wow that is a great look. I wouldn't change a thing.

csaltphoto · 17 May 2019, 04:31 AM

Up to you on the polish. Most of that is probably unnoticable from a few feet away.

But it does look like it could use a good cleaning...

iBleedOrange · 17 May 2019, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jph4387

Leave it. You'll know every mark on the watch is from the years it's seen which matches you. You'll age together.

Couldn't have said it any better.

s.m.b. · 17 May 2019, 04:32 AM

I’d leave it as is. Looks great!

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oldman2005 · 17 May 2019, 04:33 AM

I'd keep it the way it is just like the way you're, no amount of polish can bring you back to the wonder years

Solo118 · 17 May 2019, 04:34 AM

Leave it as is and enjoy the crap out of it!

GHETTONA · 17 May 2019, 05:22 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Would you also leave the bracelet stretching as is? Not sure if it is frowned upon to tighten a slightly loosen bracelet.

aayates · 17 May 2019, 05:33 AM

Service it at RSC. It will look like new. I think many are paranoid due to bad polishing by some independents, but I've serviced many watches at an RSC and they've been fine. I believe at least some mods of this forum share that opinion.

piratfisk · 17 May 2019, 05:36 AM

I wouldn't polish. I think it's in good condition as is.

101031-28 · 17 May 2019, 05:47 AM

I don't get the whole 'do not polish' trend. As far as I am concerned, one, I do not want to see someone else's wear on the watch every time I look down, second, if done properly, the amount of metal removed is so negligible, it is virtually impossible to tell a difference between factory new and polished by competent, RSC type personnel. OP, I would give it a professional 'clean up' and start making YOUR own memories on your freshly serviced birth year Sub.

jrs146 · 17 May 2019, 06:07 AM

I say polish it. It looks like it’s seen a polish already so the “unpolished” status has already been taken. Therefore I’d want it looking as good and new as possible.

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GHETTONA · 17 May 2019, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs146

I say polish it. It looks like it’s seen a polish already so the “unpolished” status has already been taken. Therefore I’d want it looking as good and new as possible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It is unpolished! I made sure of it. It might just the way you see it in the picture.

81sforlife · 17 May 2019, 06:27 AM

I say polish it. It's a birth year watch right? So if you plan on keeping it forever why not polish lightly and put your own marks on it.

sensui · 17 May 2019, 06:28 AM

Leave this alone.

coaxial · 17 May 2019, 06:31 AM

Leave it. I like to see the wear on the watch & relive the stories Ive had with them on the wrist.

Monte Cristo · 17 May 2019, 06:56 AM

Take it to RSC for service and polish, nowhere else. it will come back looking new and any scratches you put on it after that will be yours, not someone else’s.

Rocket launcher · 17 May 2019, 07:00 AM

RSC polish

rmlovett1 · 17 May 2019, 07:01 AM

I’d leave as is...looks great!

AJM914 · 17 May 2019, 07:03 AM

Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up!

Jrpontiac · 17 May 2019, 08:08 AM

I bought a 5 series SD the was polished like new. I was OK with it because all the wear and tear I see going forward will be my history not the prior owners. So do you want the wear and tear to show the watch's history or your history?

Rolex.c6 · 17 May 2019, 08:11 AM

Leave it as it is. It will get scratched again anyway.

Irydium · 17 May 2019, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJM914

Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up!

This!

Like some others have said, get a light polish to get rid of the minor scratches and swirl marks someone else had put on the watch over the years and start your own history with it.

MTdweller · 17 May 2019, 10:55 AM

Up to you. I would, but only by RSC or a trusted professional. Some purists would cringe and it may affect resale to that crowd in the future.

17 May 2019, 04:08 AM	#1
GHETTONA Banned Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NJ Watch: Daytona Posts: 372	Picked up a birth year Submariner! Should I polish or not polish? Hi guys, So I just picked up an unpolished birth year Submariner today, full set with box & papers, booklets and anker. I am incredibly happy with the condition of the watch. Although unpolished for it’s entire lifetime, it has only very minor dings that are very hard to see without magnification and a lot of swirls. I’m debating whether I should leave the watch unpolished or give it a polish at LAWW + chamfer up the minor dings. Would you guys give it a polish or leave it as is? The bracelet seems to have a minor stretching. Is it frowned upon to tighten the bracelet? Sorry for the ignorance, it is my first time getting a vintage piece. Thanks in advance! Here are some pictures of the watch:

17 May 2019, 04:25 AM	#8
RTG 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: USA Watch: YM42 Ti Posts: 2,645	Wow that is a great look. I wouldn't change a thing. __________________ Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

17 May 2019, 04:32 AM	#11
s.m.b. "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: the Far West Posts: 1,282	I’d leave it as is. Looks great! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Rolex & Patek Philippe

17 May 2019, 05:47 AM	#17
101031-28 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: 1665 Posts: 4,764	I don't get the whole 'do not polish' trend. As far as I am concerned, one, I do not want to see someone else's wear on the watch every time I look down, second, if done properly, the amount of metal removed is so negligible, it is virtually impossible to tell a difference between factory new and polished by competent, RSC type personnel. OP, I would give it a professional 'clean up' and start making YOUR own memories on your freshly serviced birth year Sub. __________________ He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex. Ian Fleming

17 May 2019, 06:07 AM	#18
jrs146 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: Lost in time Watch: Me Nae Nae Posts: 9,823	I say polish it. It looks like it’s seen a polish already so the “unpolished” status has already been taken. Therefore I’d want it looking as good and new as possible. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

17 May 2019, 04:10 AM	#2
jph4387 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Charlotte Posts: 271	Leave it. You'll know every mark on the watch is from the years it's seen which matches you. You'll age together.

17 May 2019, 04:12 AM	#3
poidog81 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ft Lauderdale Watch: EXP/SUB Posts: 150	No! Its in great condition... keep the sharp edges. It'll look that that again in a year of wearing.

17 May 2019, 04:14 AM	#4
bobbyandy "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Texas Posts: 120	I agree. Don’t polish it. It looks great. Congrats on such a special find.

17 May 2019, 04:15 AM	#5
Deep18 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: VA Watch: SD43 Posts: 545	No way. Looks like a well worn piece should. Nice watch!

17 May 2019, 04:21 AM	#6
tyngshen "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: united kingdom Posts: 126	I say do it. Why would you want some other persons swirl marks all over your watch? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

17 May 2019, 04:22 AM	#7
abozz "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: In my home. Watch: 116660, 126600 Posts: 2,905	Leave it!! Beautiful

17 May 2019, 04:31 AM	#9
csaltphoto "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: US Watch: sub Posts: 2,429	Up to you on the polish. Most of that is probably unnoticable from a few feet away. But it does look like it could use a good cleaning...

17 May 2019, 04:33 AM	#12
oldman2005 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: norcal Posts: 3,031	I'd keep it the way it is just like the way you're, no amount of polish can bring you back to the wonder years

17 May 2019, 04:34 AM	#13
Solo118 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 6,092	Leave it as is and enjoy the crap out of it!

17 May 2019, 05:22 AM	#14
GHETTONA Banned Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NJ Watch: Daytona Posts: 372	Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Would you also leave the bracelet stretching as is? Not sure if it is frowned upon to tighten a slightly loosen bracelet.

17 May 2019, 05:33 AM	#15
aayates "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: atlanta, GA, USA Posts: 914	Service it at RSC. It will look like new. I think many are paranoid due to bad polishing by some independents, but I've serviced many watches at an RSC and they've been fine. I believe at least some mods of this forum share that opinion.

17 May 2019, 05:36 AM	#16
piratfisk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Jake Location: Slam Diego Watch: 16233, 116619LB Posts: 2,316	I wouldn't polish. I think it's in good condition as is.

17 May 2019, 06:27 AM	#20
81sforlife "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: J Location: CO Watch: Sub & ExpII Posts: 555	I say polish it. It's a birth year watch right? So if you plan on keeping it forever why not polish lightly and put your own marks on it. __________________

17 May 2019, 06:28 AM	#21
sensui 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,443	Leave this alone.

17 May 2019, 06:31 AM	#22
coaxial "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Naples, FL Watch: 5513, 116610LN Posts: 304	Leave it. I like to see the wear on the watch & relive the stories Ive had with them on the wrist.

17 May 2019, 06:56 AM	#23
Monte Cristo "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney Watch: ing you... Posts: 3,775	Take it to RSC for service and polish, nowhere else. it will come back looking new and any scratches you put on it after that will be yours, not someone else’s. __________________ 'I am easily satisfied with the very best' - Winston Churchill

17 May 2019, 07:00 AM	#24
Rocket launcher Banned Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: England Posts: 989	RSC polish

17 May 2019, 07:01 AM	#25
rmlovett1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Richard Location: GA Watch: YTBD Posts: 23,509	I’d leave as is...looks great!

17 May 2019, 07:03 AM	#26
AJM914 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: AJ Location: NY Watch: ♕ Posts: 6,761	Polish it and get the bracelet fixed up! __________________

17 May 2019, 08:08 AM	#27
Jrpontiac "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 35	I bought a 5 series SD the was polished like new. I was OK with it because all the wear and tear I see going forward will be my history not the prior owners. So do you want the wear and tear to show the watch's history or your history?

17 May 2019, 08:11 AM	#28
Rolex.c6 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Netherlands/Spain Watch: Sea-Dweller 116600 Posts: 1,030	Leave it as it is. It will get scratched again anyway. __________________ Rolex.c6 Sea-Dweller 4000 SD4K Ref. 116600

17 May 2019, 10:55 AM	#30
MTdweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Ty Location: West Coast Watch: the time fly! Posts: 1,493	Up to you. I would, but only by RSC or a trusted professional. Some purists would cringe and it may affect resale to that crowd in the future.

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