What is with polishing?

[LazySumday]

I am fairly new to the luxury watch market. I see that some people write about watches being “polished”, and that is looked down upon. Does this mean watches are simply Brillo padded to remove scratches or does this mean literally polishing with a bidding wheel to attempt to remove scratches and swirls? I am referencing tool watches like vintage GMT’s and Subs. I don’t really understand what the big deal is about polishing watches and why it is a negative.


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[The Libertine]

Polishing, if either not done properly, or too frequently will ruin the original (factory) lines of the case.

[brandrea]

What mike says ^^^

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by LazySumday

Does this mean watches are simply Brillo padded to remove scratches or does this mean literally polishing with a bidding wheel to attempt to remove scratches and swirls?

It can mean both. Some people like to take Scotchbrite pads, Cape Cod cloths, or some other home-remedy method to their watches and buff out the scuffs. That's one type of polishing. There's also the professional type, which can be done either by an independent, or by an RSC. (Advanced amateurs with the proper equipment could do it, too.) Opinions vary on whether either are good and should ever be undertaken, or in what amounts. As you can see, though, when done poorly or too often, the results are bad and irreversible.

[Mystro]

Yea, polishing correctly means restored to a like new condition. That means if done correctly, you won’t be able to tell if it has been done and the watch will look new. If done incorrectly, you will be able to tell and the lines/edges won’t look sharp as if new.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by brandrea

What mike says ^^^

Wonderful example pic!


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Wonderful example pic!


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I can’t take credit for that, I googled overpolished Rolex

[aquatimerfla]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Polishing, if either not done properly, or too frequently will ruin the original (factory) lines of the case.

Polishing the Case is the worst. Bracelet being rebrushed/finished is fine Cant tell you how many 'vintage' watches i have passed on because of 'polishing' of the case.

[JacksonStone]

What is the consensus (if there is such a thing on this forum) on how well RSCs perform polishing during periodic services? Are there ones known to do it better or worse?

[schoolboy]

Hi, I am new to this community too.

The members above are speaking the truth. I only have one small thing to add.

I have noticed that some members like their watches to look like new and will lean towards polishing the watch to remove a tiny scratch (or multiple tiny scratches), as they like their watches to be "perfect."

Other members, accept the scratches and don't polish them away because they see them as "battle scars" if you will. As part of the experience that you and your watch have been through.

Some people that buy a pre-owned watch, like to receive it polished and like new.

Others like to receive it unpolished, and see what the watch has gone through... After this, they decide whether to polish it to a like-new condition, or keep the scars as a sign of what the watch has gone through.

It's like two different worlds.

My two cents.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I can’t take credit for that, I googled overpolished Rolex

Thank goodness for Google!


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[aquatimerfla]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Yea, polishing correctly means restored to a like new condition. That means if done correctly, you won’t be able to tell if it has been done and the watch will look new. If done incorrectly, you will be able to tell and the lines/edges won’t look sharp as if new.

To an extent. If its the first polish on a Rolex ** after 20 years!! from RSC thats one thing. Multiple RSC polishes on a Rolex are still noticeable and destroys the case.

I see so much 'vintage' crap being sold its ridiculous. They all need new cases.

[Steerpike999]

Originally Posted by brandrea

what mike says ^^^

Wow

[JParm]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Hi, I am new to this community too.

The members above are speaking the truth. I only have one small thing to add.

I have noticed that some members like their watches to look like new and will lean towards polishing the watch to remove a tiny scratch (or multiple tiny scratches), as they like their watches to be "perfect."

Other members, accept the scratches and don't polish them away because they see them as "battle scars" if you will. As part of the experience that you and your watch have been through.

Some people that buy a pre-owned watch, like to receive it polished and like new.

Others like to receive it unpolished, and see what the watch has gone through... After this, they decide whether to polish it to a like-new condition, or keep the scars as a sign of what the watch has gone through.

It's like two different worlds.

My two cents.

Good points there. I buy all my watches pre-owned, and would rather not have the watch polished. I do, however, try to find the best pre-loved example and then take it to my watchmaker to polish to like-new condition, as I trust him fully (he does great work).

[Egelber]

I too like my watch to look pristine, I have had my jeweler lightly buff 2 portions on my bracelet. The clasp and an area that had scratches on the bracelet. Now, my timepiece is almost 3 years old, and I have never had the case touched, and I have a few scratches on the side opposite of the crown. I like the fat lugs, and how their all proportionate to each other. That's just me..... So don't touch the case

[SeaAndSky]

Padi will probably chime in with some good advice soon that I agree with. One should, in my opinion, only have a watch polished at service. If at all. Every time you polish it material is removed. Even with those soft Cape Cod cloths. If one wears a watch it's going to wear. Personally, when I have my first new Rolex serviced sometime in the next couple of years, I'm just going to have the bracelet restored and skip any polishing of the case. Bracelets are replaceable items in my opinion so I don't mind if they're polished.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by brandrea

What mike says ^^^

Gulp..........Dare I measure mine????

[red wrx]

With my first watches, I used to be a freak about scratches and any sign of use. But in reality is one or the other, never wear the watch and keep it looking brand new, wear it and learn to embrace the scratches or polish it so often that soon it wont look like what it used to be. I am fine with everyday scratches, they do give character to a watch.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by red wrx

With my first watches, I used to be a freak about scratches and any sign of use. But in reality is one or the other, never wear the watch and keep it looking brand new, wear it and learn to embrace the scratches or polish it so often that soon it wont look like what it used to be. I am fine with everyday scratches, they do give character to a watch.

Your absolutely right, I made a mistake in comparing my 5513 1968 with a brand new Explorer 1 .... on my wrist at the same time, it took several hours before common sense kicked in that it was wrong to compare a 50 year old watch with a brand new one, it did however help make my mind up about purchasing a Explorer 1. On the hunt now.

[sawhornsoff]

Polish, buff, or whatever you want to call it enough and the watch will have measurable changes dimensionally and in weight. I’ve had 4 watches serviced by RSC and there was a very slight loss in the sharpness of the shape from original. They do the some of the best possible work IMO.

Here is a video of Patek service. Around 2:17 they go over polishing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6qMurhSSkrU