DIY brushing polished centre links

[zen123]

Went over to a friends house who has this very fancy dremel tool like contraption that he uses to polish or grind metal with.

I asked if he could brush the PCLs on my GMT Master. He bought one of those fake Rolex clasps from Etsy and showed me the results.

What do you guys think?

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[Master_Grogu]

It is really up to you, however let me ask you this.

When you bought the Rolex, was it for (among other things) the superior quality of the finishing ? If yes, be aware that your friend, as talented as he is, will most probably not deliver the same level of quality you may find elsewhere in your watch.

[AJMarcus]

Your watch but Not for me. If you didn’t like the PCLs than why did you buy the watch? If you have to do it than by all means take it to a reputable jeweler. Not a buddy with a grinding tool.

[fixinbones]

I would not let anyone use a motorized Dremel type tool to do this. Your friends end result doesn’t look good to the trained eye. All you need a 3M maroon Scotch brite pad #07447 to brush the links.

[Jack T]

Not in a million years; correction - not ever.

[Danny83]

Noooooooo

[Setarip]

Would not let a friend brush the bracelet.

If you’re going to do it, suggest taking it to a professional jeweler who is experienced. I have a jeweler with 30+ years experience in hand engraving and working with PP Rolex Et al

He did mine for me and it turned out perfect.

The BLNR is the only watch I’ve done this to. I felt it matched it’s sports / tool watch persona better than the PCLs.



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[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Your watch but Not for me. If you didn’t like the PCLs than why did you buy the watch? If you have to do it than by all means take it to a reputable jeweler. Not a buddy with a grinding tool.

Can't get a DJ with a brushed oyster bracelet, I asked. I even inquired about having them switch it with a 36 OP bracelet. My AD wouldn't do it. Yes the look of PLC'S is appealing to me, until you wear it for more than a minute and the scratches start to accumulate. No longer looks the same. Would much rather have a brushed finish on the bracelet.

[Tangier11]

Not just no but H*$# NO!

[jumpmaster 175]

Huge fan of the brushed finish...I recently did a DIY brush job using very fine steel wool and 3M 600 grit sandpaper (on a custom watch...not a Rolex)
With my naked eye I cannot see any brush marks, but under very bright light with magnification, I can see the brush marks. This doesn't bother me at all, but I'm sure it could be even smoother using finer grit sandpaper.
Good luck...

[kieselguhr]

I actually prefer seeing the scratches that I make on the high polished surfaces.

It’s your watch though! You oughta be able to do whatever you want to it.

[Pw92676]

I’d let a professional do the job. Unless of course he also stayed at a holiday inn express last night :)

[101031-28]

Sorry OP, not a fan.

[chazadams]

Brushing the center links on the BLNR looks fantastic in my opinion. I second the maroon scotch bright in one direction.

You can always have it polished right back. And remember it’s just a stainless steel sports watch, do what makes you happy .


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[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by Setarip

Would not let a friend brush the bracelet.

If you’re going to do it, suggest taking it to a professional jeweler who is experienced. I have a jeweler with 30+ years experience in hand engraving and working with PP Rolex Et al

He did mine for me and it turned out perfect.

The BLNR is the only watch I’ve done this to. I felt it matched it’s sports / tool watch persona better than the PCLs.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It looks great. Not bad at all. Seems more fitting for a every day wearer.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by zen123

Went over to a friends house who has this very fancy dremel tool like contraption that he uses to polish or grind metal with.

I asked if he could brush the PCLs on my GMT Master. He bought one of those fake Rolex clasps from Etsy and showed me the results.

What do you guys think?

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

Read this!
The art and science of sheen polishing
https://www.rolex.com/about-rolex-wa...the-sheen.html
"It takes several years for a polisher – nowadays known as a termineur..."

[Mystro]

I feel compelled to chime in: Regardless if you like the look or not......you should never need any power tool to brush a clasp or link. I have been at this for over 30 years and am fairly accomplished with polishing and brushing a watch. I have never used a power tool.
A green scotchbrite pad will do a better job and remove a lot less material. Never ever use a dremmel on a watch you want a factory finish on. We see these threads come up every other year or so.

[Goldfingr64]

A CW21 has the right equipment to refinish the satin surface to Rolex factory specs. That is the only way to go. Not a DIY

[DJ2020]

Nice article on polishing, but unless you work in a padded room, It's all very short lived. That's a lot of effort and cost just to make the watches appearance so fragile. Unless your watch lives in a safe or in a office , that degree of polishing is a waste. It's like putting on your Sunday best only to go work in the garden.

Rolex advertises to be durable, made to be worn everyday in a wide variety of task. Mountain expeditions, deep sea diving etc. They certainly won't stay polished long. Rolex would be better suited to offer a option of finish for wearers who actually use them in the real world everyday. Not just to the office or a outing.

[Jackie Daytona]

It’s amazing how many people seem to think brushing metal is rocket science and requires cutting edge tech to do correctly.

It’s a Rolex yes, but at it’s base it’s just steel. To brush steel you are just removing a bit of metal essentially with a pattern to it. No reason to overcook it with machinery such as a dremel, or need to be a certified watchmaker. Like I said it’s steel and is maleable the right grit in the right direction no one is the wiser really. It’s pretty basic principles. Green scotch brite and some patience is all you need.

The only real issues you would encounter is between the links and by the coronet on the clasp.

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

It’s amazing how many people seem to think brushing metal is rocket science and requires cutting edge tech to do correctly.

It’s a Rolex yes, but at it’s base it’s just steel. To brush steel you are just removing a bit of metal essentially with a pattern to it. No reason to overcook it with machinery such as a dremel, or need to be a certified watchmaker. Like I said it’s steel and is maleable the right grit in the right direction no one is the wiser really. It’s pretty basic principles. Green scotch brite and some patience is all you need.

Very easily done, couldn't agree more.

[VegasMilgauss]

Golly!

[SearChart]

That brushing does not look particularly good if I'm honest, sorry.

[macrowatch]

For GMT, easiest approach is to put old 40m sub glidelock bracelet on GMT.

[Thrasher36]

No way with a dremel, Scotch brite yes. practice and patience

[brandrea]

I say yes ... I’d like to see the results

[bp1000]

No

Have a watchmaker do it. Really isn’t worth it.

[EEpro]

The result is usually cloudy / milky and the edges get pillowy from using a compressed media that wraps the edges of what used to be sharp 90 degree transitions.

I'd rather have scratched PCLs than the brushed examples shown here.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That brushing does not look particularly good if I'm honest, sorry.

You're being too kind. It is abysmal.

[Brny11]

Looks great but I’d be nervous on the real thing. I’d rather buy a brushed oyster (if possible) than do that.