Unpolished or damaged?

[rl96701]

What do you think of the condition of this piece? Would you considered it unpolished, desirable, damaged or just worn?

PS: I know you guys don’t consider this vintage.... but its the question on condition I am seeking. Thanks!











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[037]

Unpolished: Yes

Desirable: Yes if you or a family member caused all of the wear, probably not if you didn't.

Damaged: Maybe. Depends on the answer to desirability. If you have no sentimental ties to it then it's damaged and would need case work.

Worn: Absolutely. Someone wore the hell out of it and enjoyed a storied life.

If my father handed down an Exp II like this, I'd find it desirable and not polish it. If buying it secondhand and not knowing the original owner, I can't see the pull without sentimental value. The watch has a story but if you aren't related to the story then it's less appealing in my opinion.

I should add that if you're buying it as a daily beater and plan to continue adding wear then it's a reasonable way to go. I prefer unpolished but also prefer to add my own wear.

[Tomas Eriksson]

That explorer looks great, would buy that before any polished example every day of the week...

[1William]

I think the watch has been worn and used. Not in a bad way but in a way that is reflective of years of use. I would buy this watch if the price was reflective of the age and condition.

[andy2518]

I wouldn't say its damaged, well used, but not damaged. whether you get a well executed professional polish or keep as is is always going to be personal preference. However you can always polish a watch but you cant but you cant unpolish one.

[cowboy music]

I would wear it like that all day, every day.

[DaytonaSubmariner]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If this appeals to you (and it seems to appeal to many here), then it's worth it.

[dhknola]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

That explorer looks great, would buy that before any polished example every day of the week...

I am with the above; that is a watch you can wear and just add to with out having to treat it like a delicate peach. But I like them original and well loved and wouldn't buy if 'polished up to look new'.

[R!$]

from your pics it is heavily worn and case is slightly damaged

[Rvltn123]

Worn, yes. Damaged though? I'd argue that "damaged" suggests that the performance is negatively affected which this does not appear to be.

[Gina Marie]

Case is awesome. Dont touch it. Will only look that way once. Damage....what damage....looks great.

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[omitohud]

If u caused all those damaged yourself, or it has seen some actions in desert storm, then yes keep it as a memento. If u r buying, I would refinished the case. But then again, there r so many reasonably priced expy2 to choose from. Unless it’s cheap, I would rather find another.


I blame it on autoconnect.

[Gliderguy]

Would love to find a 16710 in that specific condition at an adequate price.

[rl96701]

Thanks for all the input and responses it is greatly appreciated.

The intent is to find a example that is unpolished and used the way it was meant to be but not abused to the point will it would hurt future value.


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[rl96701]

Here is another question please:

This is a watch listed on HQ Milton:
https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...nd-papers-A764

Using the list price of $5750 with box and papers, what would you pay for the Unpolished example I posted beforehand with no papers?

[037]

Full case refinishing is about $500 from LAWW so I'd subtract $500. The only major "damage" seems to be in the crown guard, otherwise the rest should be relatively easy to mend if you ever decide to go that route.

Otherwise, it would certainly make for a great daily beater. Factor in another $500~750 for a movement service since it likely needs one.

[dhknola]

That one listed in the private sales is super fine! Also it's a later no holes case. IMHO you can't lose with either, just boils down to preference.

[Baco Noir]

Well worn. As for buying it, no. I do wear my watches and they all get scratches, but they are my scratches. When I buy, I want to start with a clean example and start there.

[rl96701]

Also let me say I realize it comes down to personal preference... but there are certain qualities and preferences that the Vintage watch community desire. I am just trying to get a handle on what is good/bad in the vintage world.


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[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by rl96701

Also let me say I realize it comes down to personal preference... but there are certain qualities and preferences that the Vintage watch community desire. I am just trying to get a handle on what is good/bad in the vintage world.

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Very true. I have some collector friends who LOVE the haggard look of a watch that has been through the ringer. I prefer the look of ones that have been cared for and are clean examples with as little wear as possible. That said, the ones I see like that are always out of my budget.

[116710er]

Originally Posted by 037

Unpolished: Yes

Desirable: Yes if you or a family member caused all of the wear, probably not if you didn't.

If my father handed down an Exp II like this, I'd find it desirable and not polish it. If buying it secondhand and not knowing the original owner, I can't see the pull without sentimental value. The watch has a story but if you aren't related to the story then it's less appealing in my opinion.

I should add that if you're buying it as a daily beater and plan to continue adding wear then it's a reasonable way to go. I prefer unpolished but also prefer to add my own wear.

Great explanation. This is exactly how I feel about the whole polish vs unpolish debate. I only go through the trouble of polishing/re-contouring/re-cutting if the case has been very poorly polished in the past (rounded off edges, incorrect profile, etc.) I mean it's already been messed up anyways, might as well correct it the best you can...and, obviously, I'd only consider buying a watch in this sort of condition if the price was right.

I would only add that if the watch had a rock solid/provable backstory with some cool history to it (say a retired Delta member wore it during his service and all the "patina" was from kicking down doors and shooting tangos in the face), then I would leave the wear and tear as is. If the previous owner was just a careless desk diver working at the DMV, then you could go either way...

[037]

Originally Posted by 116710er

I would only add that if the watch had a rock solid/provable backstory with some cool history to it (say a retired Delta member wore it during his service and all the "patina" was from kicking down doors and shooting tangos in the face), then I would leave the wear and tear as is. If the previous owner was just a careless desk diver working at the DMV, then you could go either way...

That's a solid way to look at it. I like a good story or want to write my own. Battered 16600 SD from a Coastie rescue swimmer... absolutely. The same watch from a retired parking ticket autograph champ... probably not.

[saskmh]

I love watches like that!

[Richard Carver]

Obviously it had the bezel replaced, all those marks on the case came after the bezel took the brunt. :) Can't even imagine what that thing looked like.

[sillo]

I wouldn't mind that at all, but I wouldn't pay any sort of unpolished premium. After a light refinish the lugs will still be nice and fat and it'll look great.

[subtona]

Well worn

[rl96701]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Obviously it had the bezel replaced, all those marks on the case came after the bezel took the brunt. :) Can't even imagine what that thing looked like.

You believe the bezel to be a replacement? The bezel and crystal looks pretty worn to me too.


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[Dino2000]

Originally Posted by 037

That's a solid way to look at it. I like a good story or want to write my own. Battered 16600 SD from a Coastie rescue swimmer... absolutely. The same watch from a retired parking ticket autograph champ... probably not.

Absolutely! I would never polish a brush with the wall in the fender of a racing Maserati if done while in Le Mans or Daytona, but I would remove it immediately if done by the mechanic in the shop!

[Baco Noir]

Sorry you guys but even if it’s military provenance, unless it’s something significant like Seal Team 6 or similar it’s just an abused Explorer. My two cents - worth what you paid for it.

If I take my Exp II out and abuse it, will people pay more for it? No.

[Ishaan]

nice watch