To Polish or Not to Polish my White SD 1665?

[blueline994]

I'm curious as to what is the general consensus about polishing the case is? I myself am a believer in being all original as possible bit sometimes I see a beautifully vintage piece that looks so fresh and so clean....makes me wonder as to what to do. I would hate to devaluate the watch because of a polish.

I just received my first vintage piece a white Sea Dweller 1665. I was lucky enough to buy it from an original owner. He never serviced the watch or never polished it. The crystal I know can get polished without any issues. It does show lots of small nicks and scratches when looked at closely. I believe these can be taken care of easily. The case shows a bit of wear but not too much in my very humble opinion. There may be one or two dents that really bother me.

The SD is at my watch maker getting a movement overhaul right now, 31 years and no lube is not a good thing. So I decided that she should go in right away for the movement…but the question is: To Polish or Not to Polish?

And what about the insert? There is a gash just next to the 50? Should I replace it?

Some pics below...More to come after she returns to me!











And I just couldn't resist this B&W one...

[HL65]

Never polish a vintage watch--You will truly hurt the value if you do!!!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Never polish a vintage watch--You will truly hurt the value if you do!!!

Never polish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Find a fat font insert in better condition and replace it if the gash really bothers you.

[Yazo]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Never polish a vintage watch--You will truly hurt the value if you do!!!

x3!!!

[roadie1]

Keep that baby original! It has tone of character. If you want a polished one, get a newer one and swap them out every few days.

[blueline994]

Thanks for the opinions. I do agree with the no polish mantra. My daily beater is nice and shiny. I really don't feel the need to polish it. I really do like like just the way it is but wanted some reassurance in my line of thinking.

Do you guys feel the same way about the plexi crystal? Should I polish it or leave be?

[Racer X]

I've been thinking about the to polish or not to polish issue lately. I've always agreed that it's good practice not to polish, but lately I've been questioning it a bit in my mind. Specifically, I can't help but think that a non-aggressive polish DONE RIGHT probably will not devalue a vintage watch significantly. When it comes down to it, the vast majority of vintage watches have been polished at one point or another in their lives and those watches still fetch good prices. I think the only time polishing really negatively affects value is when the polish was too aggressive and removed lots of metal, or when it was done wrong and correcting it would result in lots of lost metal. So, although it may sound sacrilegious, I'm going to say a light polish done the right way is okay. The trick, however, would be finding someone who can do the job right. Because of the risks involved, it kinda brings me full circle back to the "don't polish" camp.

I know this contradicts the conventional wisdom so I'd like to hear what others think on the subject, especially those that follow the "never polish" mantra.

[ROGERB]

The only thing I would consider polishing on that baby would be to take some of the marks out of the crystal...polywatch here we come..
R

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by blueline994

Do you guys feel the same way about the plexi crystal? Should I polish it or leave be?

People don't consider crystals to be as critical as the case. I think most would agree that polishing the crystal is fine. Most would not even mind if you replaced the crystal (but save the original). Plexi crystals wear out (develop cracks, etc.) so replacement is necessary if you want to maintain the integrity of the sealed case.

[HL65]

Rex--I would never polish a watch and have spent countless hours tracking down truly unpolished vintage watches for my collection. I personally would not spend good money on a piece of history that had it's it marks of time buffed away!!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Racer X

People don't consider crystals to be as critical as the case. I think most would agree that polishing the crystal is fine. Most would not even mind if you replaced the crystal (but save the original). Plexi crystals wear out (develop cracks, etc.) so replacement is necessary if you want to maintain the integrity of the sealed case.

As for crystals--I have no problem taking off original and keeping it in storage and putting on either a period correct replacement or service crystal.

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Rex--I would never polish a watch and have spent countless hours tracking down truly unpolished vintage watches for my collection. I personally would not spend good money on a piece of history that had it's it marks of time buffed away!!

This brings up another issue. How can anyone say with any certainty that a vintage watch never was polished. Consider a 40 year old watch. Let's assume as a hypothetical that the watch was lightly polished (i.e., no major loss of metal and maintaining the original contours) once or twice over its first 30 years and then worn to present date without being polished. In such a case, it would be extremely difficult to say for certain whether the watch had been polished or not -- we're are talking about fractions of millimeters here. Aside from being the original owner and knowing that you had never polished it, I don't know that one can ever say with certainty that a watch never was polished. I think the more important thing is that the lugs and crown guards (assuming the watch has them) are thick and even. I think you can still have this if the polishing was done right and the watch will not have lost significant value.

BTW, this is really just a philosophical question for me as I don't think I'd have my watch polished either.

[HL65]

I understand what you are saying--which is why I like buying watches that have never been on the market/for sale--bought out of collections from either original owner or person who bought it from them--untouched beauties! I pay more for them--but I don't mind paying up for rare and quality! That is best way to put together a collection IMHO.
I like scratches, nicks, razor sharp edges and of course fat lugs and crown guards etc. etc.

[onkyo]

It is a personal decision. I would not polish that wonderfully stunning case. It is in excellent condition and a polish would only remove precious metal.

In terms of polishing in general .... on rarer pieces I do not do it. On less rare pieces I do what every makes me happy. I recently gently polished a 5512 and tudor 7928 that were never serviced or polished in 35 years. They turned out incredible.

[SMC84]

Wow that is an awesome piece. I would definitely not polish it, it looks great as is! Enjoy it.

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

I understand what you are saying--which is why I like buying watches that have never been on the market/for sale--bought out of collections from either original owner or person who bought it from them--untouched beauties! I pay more for them--but I don't mind paying up for rare and quality! That is best way to put together a collection IMHO.
I like scratches, nicks, razor sharp edges and of course fat lugs and crown guards etc. etc.

Well, buying from the original owner is certainly another matter! Great if you can do it, but for most this will not be the case.

Originally Posted by onkyo

It is a personal decision. I would not polish that wonderfully stunning case. It is in excellent condition and a polish would only remove precious metal.

In terms of polishing in general .... on rarer pieces I do not do it. On less rare pieces I do what every makes me happy. I recently gently polished a 5512 and tudor 7928 that were never serviced or polished in 35 years. They turned out incredible.

I agree with being reluctant to polish. It is the safest bet after all. That said, I do not have a problem with buying a watch that has been polished, as long as it's still in good shape. Again, nearly all of them have been polished at one point or another. It's all about condition, and thick and even is the yardstick I use.

[PhilM]

Leave it as it is, it's got character and charm as it is and polishing will remove that.

We had a thread about Patina last week, and to me this has got lots on the case instead of on the dial

[bluemartinifan]

Originally Posted by onkyo

It is a personal decision. I would not polish that wonderfully stunning case. It is in excellent condition and a polish would only remove precious metal.

In terms of polishing in general .... on rarer pieces I do not do it. On less rare pieces I do what every makes me happy. I recently gently polished a 5512 and tudor 7928 that were never serviced or polished in 35 years. They turned out incredible.

I agree with Pav, my 16750 has been lightly polished yet still has hairlines and a few case marks - I love the clean, bright look. If I had a rare unpolished reference, I would probably not polish it.

[Clay]

After many years of use, I would say it's often pretty hard to tell if a watch has been polished or not.........I know many people claim to be able to tell, but I have my doubts.....
Unless you buy from the original owner who will swear it's never been polished (And some people do lie believe it or not), there's really know why to tell.....
This is only my opinion of course...
I agree with the rest that an unpolished watch is always best......
But a vintage watch that has been polished once or twice is certainly fine.....
My 1665 was polished by the last owner, but is still, in my opinion, very expectable....And to my mind the amount of polishing on this example wouldn't effect it's value.......
But here again, that's only my opinion....
I think what you want to try and avoid is an "OVER" polished example.........
The long and the short of it is...Don't polish it....
I would consider having the crystal replaced with a Rolex service crystal......

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by Clay

After many years of use, I would say it's often pretty hard to tell if a watch has been polished or not.........I know many people claim to be able to tell, but I have my doubts.....
Unless you buy from the original owner who will swear it's never been polished (And some people do lie believe it or not), there's really know why to tell.....

I agree with the rest that an unpolished watch is always best......
But a vintage watch that has been polished once or twice is certainly fine.....
My 1665 was polished by the last owner, but is still, in my opinion, very expectable....And to my mind the amount of polishing on this example wouldn't effect it's value.......

I think what you want to try and avoid is an "OVER" polished example.........

I agree.

[Puffy]

nothing wrong with a light polish, if that's what you want.

some vintage pieces benefit from a light clean and polish as many of them look far better when they are brought up to the luster and shine they deserve

[Paulie 50]

Do you apply that principle to the Bracelet.

[Perdu]

That's the key - "light polish", by someone who really knows what they are doing. But don't listen to me because I don't buy watches for their value, just the joy of wearing them.

[DG123]

What exactly is polishing, anyway ?

[Beaumont Miller II]

"A watch can only be original once." True words spoken by one of the best watchmakers often referred to on the forum. If I had a watch that had never been polished, which I do, I wouldn't polish it. If I had one that had received a light polish or two in the past and needed another, then I would probably go ahead if the scuffs bothered me. I have been told that a lot of these overpolished watches lost their metal to the hands of untrained jewelers.

[HL65]

If you have a watch with a light polish-that is fine. To go out and polish though--not a good move in my opinion. I know most of the top collectors around and they would agree. To each his own though..................

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Puffy

nothing wrong with a light polish, if that's what you want.

some vintage pieces benefit from a light clean and polish as many of them look far better when they are brought up to the luster and shine they deserve

x2

Anders, you better start polishing that new Rootbeer of yours!!!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Clay

After many years of use, I would say it's often pretty hard to tell if a watch has been polished or not.........I know many people claim to be able to tell, but I have my doubts.....
Unless you buy from the original owner who will swear it's never been polished (And some people do lie believe it or not), there's really know why to tell.....
This is only my opinion of course...
I agree with the rest that an unpolished watch is always best......
But a vintage watch that has been polished once or twice is certainly fine.....
My 1665 was polished by the last owner, but is still, in my opinion, very expectable....And to my mind the amount of polishing on this example wouldn't effect it's value.......
But here again, that's only my opinion....
I think what you want to try and avoid is an "OVER" polished example.........
The long and the short of it is...Don't polish it....
I would consider having the crystal replaced with a Rolex service crystal......

Couldn't agree more with you. Yours is a perfect example of a pristine watch and an amazing piece. I think I've told you this like 30 times now. I hope one day I can buy that piece from you.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Submarino

Couldn't agree more with you. Yours is a perfect example of a pristine watch and an amazing piece. I think I've told you this like 30 times now. I hope one day I can buy that piece from you.

Much appreciated......

[dsio]

If that was mine I'd have that bracelet in a drawer and throw a new 93150 and endlinks on it for daily wear, will make a huge aesthetic difference and give the impression that the watch is nicely polished even if it isn't. That one has the old style lock so probably came with it and is worth hanging onto, but the new one will make it look the business.