Can Overpolished / Shallow Lug Holes be helped?

[bellyen]

As I posted in a separate thread, I recently purchased a 16710 and found that likely due to polishing, the lug holes aren't as deep as they appear in unpolished examples. In other words the spring bar head appears nearly flush with the lug hole instead of having maybe 0.5mm of space.

See examples attached comparing the 5PM lug hole of the Pepsi with that of the Black bezel.

Is this something that could be improved using the case refinishing services of someone like a LAWW or Rolliworks? Most of the examples I've seen of their work address chamfers, polishing, and beveled edges but this not this issue regarding the lug thickness. Does anyone have examples of work they've done on cases with this type of overpolishing?

While I get this is pretty minor and doesn't impact functionality:
a. what are watch people if not people who obsess over minutiae , and
b. for some reason once I've noticed it as an issue it's become hard for me to unsee, and since I'm not looking to resell it, would be something I'd like to fix if possible.

[1665fan]

Laser welding is what that watch needs

[Old Expat Beast]

Have you considered shorter spring bars? Case doesn't look bad.

[joli160]

Surprised to see you bought it after the seller so blatantly misinformed you.

To answer your question;
Since the watch has a well worn bracelet pretty sure springbars have been replaced with the wrong type generic ones.

Order some correct original Rolex and chances are of problem being solved.

[bellyen]

Originally Posted by joli160

Surprised to see you bought it after the seller so blatantly misinformed you.

It's definitely a fair point. I still have time left in my return window, so I'm trying to gauge whether it's possible to get the watch up to a condition I'd tolerate at a reasonable cost. Not looking for a resell piece, so just trying to get it back to close-to-new/original shape.

I got a particularly good deal on it due to some internet shopping magic so I'm hesitant to return it out of fear I won't be able to get a similar watch at the same price - still, also trying to see if I can get some seller concessions at least for things like sourcing an original bezel insert.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Have you considered shorter spring bars? Case doesn't look bad.

Have to agree mate today there is a polish hysteria with Rolex watches, when in the real world in this case simply the wrong springbars fitted.

[swiss_seth]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree mate today there is a polish hysteria with Rolex watches, when in the real world in this case simply the wrong springbars fitted.

So true Hysteria over tiny scratches and polishing etc.

The watch is meant to be worn and used not to fret over


ugh...

[bellyen]

Thanks for the points, all. Here's the actual watch in question, I'd found the image as just an example while I was browsing other watches since my photo taking skills are comparatively subpar.

Does this still seem like a case of wrong spring bars? I have a new 62510H Jubilee coming in today, so hopefully it's just a spring bar issue.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by bellyen

Thanks for the points, all. Here's the actual watch in question, I'd found the image as just an example while I was browsing other watches since my photo taking skills are comparatively subpar.

Does this still seem like a case of wrong spring bars? I have a new 62510H Jubilee coming in today, so hopefully it's just a spring bar issue.

I wouldn't say "wrong" spring bars, because it is little more than aesthetics that you are addressing.

There are a few different length pivots on the spring bars out there, and it is likely that a set with slightly shorter pivots will put your aesthetics question at ease.

[Mendota]

Looks awesome to me. In fact, a lot of people prefer to see the spring bar tips instead of gaping empty holes. Other people don't care and actually use shouldered bars for ease of strap changes and such, versus the shoulderless bars.

Those holes are nice and tight, not opened up and gaping with excess polishing by someone who got a little too heavy handed and got in there. You see those sometimes with vintage pieces.

Also, the spring strength can vary in the bars themselves depending on whether they are aftermarket or how old they are. Just swapping the bars themselves (left to right or 12:00 bar to 6:00 bar) can also make a difference. You would be amazed how just turning a bar around can sometimes make a difference.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by bellyen

Is this something that could be improved using the case refinishing services of someone like a LAWW or Rolliworks? Most of the examples I've seen of their work address chamfers, polishing, and beveled edges but this not this issue regarding the lug thickness. Does anyone have examples of work they've done on cases with this type of overpolishing?

They surely can do it, there are before/after pics around here and elsewhere. It's not as much as you would think cost wise. I seem to remember someone else had it done for around 1k or so, could be wrong.

Once I've seen the lug holes on an overpolished piece, I can't get past it. It would drive me nuts.

I'd return it unless you got a massive deal.

[Mendota]

I would need to see more pics. The first pic of your actual watch, the crown side pic, looks great. Zero issues. The second pic, the 9:00 case side, is at an angle and you can't tell at all if the hole is good or if that's just a reflection.

It looks great. If you got a sweet deal on it then enjoy it. Put your money towards getting another insert or two for it so you can have the trifecta of inserts. Get new OEM springbars for it or Ofrei also sells very good quality OEM-spec bars.

[karleone]

I really don’t understand. As a said in your other thread. The seller sold you an unpolished watch. It is over polished. He lied to you. Bracelet has extreme stretch. Insert is fake. You don’t need to create another thread you should just return the watch and get a refund. And please let us know who is the dealer.

[fania123]

Originally Posted by karleone

I really don’t understand. As a said in your other thread. The seller sold you an unpolished watch. It is over polished. He lied to you. Bracelet has extreme stretch. Insert is fake. You don’t need to create another thread you should just return the watch and get a refund. And please let us know who is the dealer.

This

[JonaG]

It’s not boding well when the seeds of dissatisfaction have already been sown. You should be over the moon with your new 16710 but already are facing additional costs if you send it off to get the case “right”.

I think it looks fine but my issue is that the seller misrepresented the item.

An anecdote from yesterday: I ordered a wool sweater online in M. It arrived and is slightly too small. I figured I could live with it. Cut the tags off, wore it a bit and even watched a vid on how to stretch a wool sweater...perhaps I should’ve just sent it back. Now there’s a difference between a sweater and a $10k+ watch.

[bellyen]

Thanks everyone for sharing all the expertise and opinions. Crisis largely seems averted, seems like the culprit was non-factory spring bars after all. The bars they had in were a good few mm longer than the originals, and everything looks great once I threw this jubilee on!

[joli160]

Originally Posted by bellyen

Thanks everyone for sharing all the expertise and opinions. Crisis largely seems averted, seems like the culprit was non-factory spring bars after all. The bars they had in were a good few mm longer than the originals, and everything looks great once I threw this jubilee on!

Nice, any GMT deserves a jubilee

[Mendota]

You are comparing apples to oranges right there.

Shouldered bars versus shoulderless bars. Your watch didn't come with shouldered bars originally.

Swapping out the correct shoulderless bars for shouldered ones is putting a bandaid on it. It doesn't address your original concern, just FYI.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[RolexEDC]

I actually like the aftermarket spring bars better. Fills the case hole better.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

You bought the watch right, you don’t want to sell it and you are hesitant to return it because you don’t think you can replace it for the same price. You just answered your own question three different ways. What’s wrong with just wearing it?

[thesharkfactor]

Those are spring bars for later watches without lug holes.

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Those are spring bars for later watches without lug holes.

technically yes and no... The 2001 had lug holes and came on a SEL bracelet with the modern springbars... But correct for 93250 bracelets only. Not with the hollow end links...

[jimcameron]

You are not a candidate for buying used/second hand watches. While less than 1% of the population would ever notice or care, your enjoyment of the watch will never rise to the level you spent. Return and wait for a new in box from AD watch.

[karleone]

Could you please share seller's name so that I am sure I will never do business with them?

[Mendota]

This is what you just installed: modern, shouldered springbars for watches without lug holes.


This is what your watch originally came with: shoulderless springbars for watches with lug holes.


Putting modern, shouldered bars into your watch does not address the concern that you had regarding the holes themselves. It is a solution, though. As long as you are completely on board with that, then just enjoy the watch and don't worry about it. The ones you installed will work fine.

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Mendota

This is what you just installed: modern, shouldered springbars for watches without lug holes.


This is what your watch originally came with: shoulderless springbars for watches with lug holes.


Putting modern, shouldered bars into your watch does not address the concern that you had regarding the holes themselves. It is a solution, though. As long as you are completely on board with that, then just enjoy the watch and don't worry about it. The ones you installed will work fine.

Youre right if he has hollow end links then the correct ones are shoulderless... But if you have a 93250 SEL bracelet like my 2001 with lug holes, it uses the shouldered bars so you can use the holes to take it out or inside like the modern non lug holes case... He is just trying to make himself feel better not to notice its been overpolished...

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

Youre right if he has hollow end links then the correct ones are shoulderless... But if you have a 93250 SEL bracelet like my 2001 with lug holes, it uses the shouldered bars so you can use the holes to take it out or inside like the modern non lug holes case... He is just trying to make himself feel better not to notice its been overpolished...

Yes, that's a great point. Those transition pieces with lug holes and SELs make things interesting. Does your SEL have a large enough channel to accept the 2mm shoulderless bars, too? Otherwise, you can use the 1.8mm shoulderless. Ofrei has them.

[pk552502]

I have always assumed all watches with lug holes used the shoulderless spring bars. Is that correct that some watches with lug holes used springbars meant for watches without lug holes?

I had thought if your spring bars don't completely fill the lug holes then the springbars could move freely and could damage the inner lug holes because the springbars are not flush and had room to wiggle.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by pk552502

I have always assumed all watches with lug holes used the shoulderless spring bars. Is that correct that some watches with lug holes used springbars meant for watches without lug holes?

I had thought if your spring bars don't completely fill the lug holes then the springbars could move freely and could damage the inner lug holes because the springbars are not flush and had room to wiggle.

It’s more about the radial clearance imho, meaning that the diameter should be correct