Buffing: How much is too much?

[alettiere]

I was talking to an AD today who I'm most likely purchasing a SubC from (first timer) and when discussing the natural wear of bracelets over time (especially on the clasp), as well as the 904L, he told me that a lot of Rolex owners will frequently bring in their watches for a quick polish to keep their watches looking new. And by frequently, he meant anywhere from an annual basis, to every few months. He said the process only takes a few minutes and that they don’t charge customers for this - as not everyone prefers the characterized look of a worn in watch.

This intrigued me, because a lot of people on here seem to frown on getting too polish happy with their bracelets because of the potential damage/wear it can cause to the steel, but the AD didn’t seem to think that this would be a concern. He told me, if I wanted to, I could bring it in every week for a decade and wouldn't really do any arm (not that I'd ever do such a thing).

Of course, I can live with desk dives and natural wear and tear – but at the same time, I can see where I’d also want to get a nice buffing every once in awhile to keep things looking nice.

Thoughts? Is doing this really as bad as some people say? It's just that sometimes, I get the impression after reading some opinions on here, that if I took my SubC in to get a buffing every six months, that in five years, my bracelet would be as thin as tin foil :)

[Andad]

IMO there is polishing, there is buffing and there is grinding out deep scratches.

A light polish to take out swirls can be done every day. No significant material is removed.

Buffing on a wheel takes out material until the scratch depth is reached. Material is removed as required.

Grinding and the adding of material using micro laser techniques is the next level. This is rebuild level for major damage.

It all depends on the condition of the watch to start with and there is no correct answer.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by directioneng

IMO there is polishing, there is buffing and there is grinding out deep scratches.

A light polish to take out swirls can be done every day. No significant material is removed.

Buffing on a wheel takes out material until the scratch depth is reached. Material is removed as required.

Grinding and the adding of material using micro laser techniques is the next level. This is rebuild level for major damage.

It all depends on the condition of the watch to start with and there is no correct answer.

I have some watches, as opposed to museum pieces. So, I'm happy to have my Rolex polished at service time. Lots of folks are interested in pristine examples of watches, and heavy polishing affects resale and even their own enjoyment of their watches. A really light polishing doesn't require high skill, but more than that on a watch case can change the edges/surfaces if done by a non-expert. On a watch that can easily last 50 years, even light polishing can add up.

If you're mainly talking about the bracelets, I wouldn't worry much. Bracelets are cheaper than the watches, themselves, and are simpler shapes. Many of us will wear out the bracelets for other reasons over the life of the watch, anyway.

Rolex is my favorite brand, in part because they are tough, and I wear them daily for almost any activity. They get some scratches, etc.

[Tools]

I'll agree with Eddie. You really need to know how heavy handed your jeweler is to know if there is too much metal being taken off.

I have run across many watches that are young, yet the lugs and case sides have been reduced by several mm's due to too much, too often..

[RJC]

You only have to look at the below picture to see what too much buffing can do...........

















.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by RJC

You only have to look at the below picture to see what too much buffing can do...........

















.

^ buffed so hard the watch is now invisible

[Dr. Robert]

I read somewhere that the best place to have your Rolex polished/buffed/whatever
is at the RSC, they have a better machine.

[KirkWilfred]

I would never buff a watch!

[Watch Professor]

I wipe my watches with a micro-fiber cleaning cloth before wearing to remove finger prints and dust, but that's as far as I go on an evryday basis. Every few months, I might use a Cape Cod to get out swerlies on the clasp, but use it very sparingly and never press too hard.

[TimeToGo]

I think if you buff the watch and as a result are able to see the movement....

THAT is TOO much...

[jimbones43]

Never, IMHO
Leave it until servicing...

[jameshe]

Sounds more like a thread started by a teenage lad!! Haha

[Danand]

Originally Posted by jameshe

Sounds more like a thread started by a teenage lad!! Haha

Yes but with that kind of "buffing" you might want to avoid the grinding wheel!
(400th post!)
PS at least you know the spring won't wind down either

[dsio]

IMO, anything is too much if its a sub/SD/GMT. DJs and other highly polished dress watches are another story, but a sports watch with no dings or scrapes, unless its brand new, makes it look like you spend your life on a couch.

Being an Australian, if someone asks why there are teeth marks on mine, I'll just say "Crocodile tried to eat my hand but I punched the bastard in the nose". And if they're from Sweden or something, they'll not only consider it plausible for an Aussie, but be impressed by the ruggedness and reptile resistance of both the 316L steel watch case, and myself. Every mark has a story, even if its fabricated =)

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm not sure if I'll have my watches buffed even at service time.

I've come to the conclusion that smooth, shiny surfaces are highly over-rated and an invitation to disappointment and in some cases despondency.

[BarkMaster]

Machismo often comes into play with these questions ("I'm a tough guy"). There are thousands of users on this site, so you'll hear everything from both extremes as well as everywhere in between.

It's your watch... Do it often enough to keep YOU happy with the looks. Look, it's your watch so do to it whatever you want. The steel is tough and there is a lot of material that can be removed if needed. Even if you buff/grind it into oblivion over the decades, you can always get a new one or replacements for the ruined part$ from Rolex.

(save the flames... it's a watch; not a religion.)

Precious metal? Well, that's a whole different story (you can still do whatever you want, but the material itself has value)

[Chipmunk]

I say buffing annually or every few months is excessive. Don't do it.

[swissautopro]

IMHO, any buffing/polishing is too much. I would rather have a few character marks and sharp, clean edges than ... the alternative.

[Brenngun]

Be careful with that "Chamfer".....

[HL65]

No polish for me--a quick wipe with me tee shirt works fine!! PS-I love scratches and wear marks-the more the merrier!! I'll never polish away that history!!!

[212kid]

At service time and when if you really scratch it then go on and clean it up. However if your careful with it sometimes you don't every need to buff it. I get it buffed only when it really needs it on my datejust and on my other models so far no need :) But ya like Bark Master said its your watch so do what you feel is right. In the end you might need a new bracelet but that would take prob about 20 years + with normal wear.

[The GMT Master]

I'm going to leave mine until service time. As it's a watch I intend to keep for a lifetime, I want to keep the polishing intervals well spaced - I want it to look just as good as the day I got it in 40 years time

[mborkow]

tool watches should have scratches...

[Jason71]

I don't even want mine polished at service. Leave it be, with nice sharp and clean edges.

I can live with the nicks and scratches.

[Michael M.]

I have mine polished every few years, but not often.

[MortgageGuy]

Service time for me too... every 7 years or so unless I took a fall or something unforseen happened. The daily nicks/scratches and dings are alright by me

[TempoKing]

I am lucky
I am good friends with an official Rolex polisher in Geneva
who is using machines supplied by Rolex, brushes that have
been made especially for Rolex and for different Rolex polishing
jobs as well as correct wheel speeds - Only use him for watches
in desperate need of a make-over.

You use a heavy handed polisher outside Rolex and he will destroy your watch - period.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Be careful with that "Chamfer".....

[JJ Irani]

Too much is how much!!