Routinely polishing to death

[Vetracer]

Hello All

As a watch enthusiast I've spent many years collecting and trading watches which I enjoy wearing and which I'm proud of. I'm fortunate to have received most of my twenty watch collection from AD's and being the original owner, I've opted not to polish any of my watches, even the ones I've owned since 2001. The fact I'm subscribed watch forums, I'm already confessing to having an unusual obsession for watches so please hear me out.

Prior to the spike in interest of watches (when watches were readily available and weren't items of speculation), I used to see unpolished examples for sale and cases were sharp and lugs were sharp and fat.

My observation now is that the big grey market dealers are each polishing watches routinely as part of their preparation process before sale. I've been disappointed when looking at watches which are only up to five years old. The cases and lugs are rounded. This is extremely evident to me because I have unmolested examples of most models at home. I guess unless you see an untouched watch you may not be able to see the extent to which the shape has altered.

After speaking to a couple of grey market dealers about this, they claim that they are giving buyers what they want and that the watches fetch better money when refinished. The problem is though, the rate at which watches are being worn and flipped now, it won't be long before watches are polished to death as each piece is repeatedly, routinely polished.

You wouldn't polish a Paul Newman Daytona so why does every watch which goes up for sale need a polish?

The irony is that if I presented any of my watches to a grey market dealer for sale, they'd attempt to lowball and then advertise my watches as "unpolished" for a large premium on top of the market price.

I understand that not everyone is carful when wearing their watches and that accidents happen but unless you have dents and damage to watches (which probably need to be laser filled), can we not just live with hairline swirls on the case and bracelet for the longevity and enjoyment of our passion?

[Benzsiam]

I think good lightly polish job is very hard to tell from untrained eyes of most buyers. I believed that most pre-owned watches that sell in secondary market more or less have been polished.

I don't like to buy watches that have a lot of scratches so I mainly bought all my timepieces brand new from the boutique/AD.

[Vetracer]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I think good lightly polish job is very hard to tell from untrained eyes of most buyers. I believed that most pre-owned watches that sell in secondary market more or less have been polished.

I don't like to buy watches that have a lot of scratches so I mainly bought all my timepieces brand new from the boutique/AD.

One good light polish done five times as a watch continually re-sells is very easy to tell.

[fsprow]

If their customers want and are willing to pay more for a polished watch, so be it. I don't believe any action on my part could change that. Buyer preferences will rule the day.

[kieselguhr]

Some people are just OCD/perfectionist. I’m sure when buying a watch most prefer it to look pristine. Well executed polished are fine

[1665fan]

Yea scratched unpolished is always better than overpolished pieces…..I’ve seen some maxi case watches polished so much they look like 5 digit references…..

[dan993]

Build relationships with ADs because you like watches. When you’re the first owner it makes no damn difference, polish or no polish it’s up to you.

[Nav01L]

In the end of the day it’s good for us original owners, as our unpolished ones will be the vintage unicorns of tomorrow:)

[shirtguy]

Does dsw polish every watch he gets before selling?

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by shirtguy

Does dsw polish every watch he gets before selling?

Yes they all do unless it’s covered in stickers….

[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by shirtguy

Does dsw polish every watch he gets before selling?

I don’t believe they polish every piece. I’ve sold him watches and can spot my hairlines in his product photos. I’m sure it depends on the severity and whether a polish is warranted.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I don’t believe they polish every piece. I’ve sold him watches and can spot the hairlines in his product photos. I’m sure it depends on the severity and whether a polish is warranted.

I think DSW does light polishing, 99% of his watches are always extremely clean and I don’t believe it’s happenstance.

I see nothing wrong with light (hand polishing), we’re literally talking about a micron here.

Machine polishing hell no.

[joli160]

I don’t like scratches like most folks and have them polished during service.
Nothing better than getting a new watch back from the RSC

[mic6]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hello All

As a watch enthusiast I've spent many years collecting and trading watches which I enjoy wearing and which I'm proud of. I'm fortunate to have received most of my twenty watch collection from AD's and being the original owner, I've opted not to polish any of my watches, even the ones I've owned since 2001. The fact I'm subscribed watch forums, I'm already confessing to having an unusual obsession for watches so please hear me out.

Prior to the spike in interest of watches (when watches were readily available and weren't items of speculation), I used to see unpolished examples for sale and cases were sharp and lugs were sharp and fat.

My observation now is that the big grey market dealers are each polishing watches routinely as part of their preparation process before sale. I've been disappointed when looking at watches which are only up to five years old. The cases and lugs are rounded. This is extremely evident to me because I have unmolested examples of most models at home. I guess unless you see an untouched watch you may not be able to see the extent to which the shape has altered.

After speaking to a couple of grey market dealers about this, they claim that they are giving buyers what they want and that the watches fetch better money when refinished. The problem is though, the rate at which watches are being worn and flipped now, it won't be long before watches are polished to death as each piece is repeatedly, routinely polished.

You wouldn't polish a Paul Newman Daytona so why does every watch which goes up for sale need a polish?

The irony is that if I presented any of my watches to a grey market dealer for sale, they'd attempt to lowball and then advertise my watches as "unpolished" for a large premium on top of the market price.

I understand that not everyone is carful when wearing their watches and that accidents happen but unless you have dents and damage to watches (which probably need to be laser filled), can we not just live with hairline swirls on the case and bracelet for the longevity and enjoyment of our passion?

It was like reading my own story.
I am just like you

[paxjedi]

The watches I buy used are ALL UNPOLISHED.

I always tell my local source (not an AD) that I would rather buy from him a 20 year old watch with some scratches, than a 10 year old watch that has no scratches because it has been polished. That is my one and only requirement.

[Bryano1028]

I agree with RSC. I personally don’t polish my watches as I don’t mind the character, however, I did get a GMT back from RSC for a broken crystal and man did it look amazing after. All sharpness there you would have never known from new. I trust them. But I would never do myself or let a third party do it.

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by bryano1028

i agree with rsc. I personally don’t polish my watches as i don’t mind the character, however, i did get a gmt back from rsc for a broken crystal and man did it look amazing after. All sharpness there you would have never known from new. I trust them. But i would never do myself or let a third party do it.

this!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Bryano1028

I agree with RSC. I personally don’t polish my watches as I don’t mind the character, however, I did get a GMT back from RSC for a broken crystal and man did it look amazing after. All sharpness there you would have never known from new. I trust them. But I would never do myself or let a third party do it.

I agree with this, or at least I hope so. My precious YG Daytona champagne PM dial is at RSC Beverly Hills as I write this. My anxiety level wont return to normal until I get it back and its looking like new!!

[cvo]

I only trust RSC to polish my watches. They have the right tools, specs and experience.

[Golden Ellipse]

Originally Posted by cvo

I only trust RSC to polish my watches. They have the right tools, specs and experience.

The worst polishing jobs I’ve ever seen have come from RSCs, including a GMT-II that was returned to me with the bezel knurling corners all polished down to a nice slippery radius…

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

The worst polishing jobs I’ve ever seen have come from RSCs, including a GMT-II that was returned to me with the bezel knurling corners all polished down to a nice slippery radius…

Don’t tell them that lol…. U will have all the polishers running to the jool tool lady

[shaunylw]

You are very much correct, grey dealers selling watches that have been worn are almost certainly all polished. Except for vintage, that can go either way.

If you watch guys like TPG and notice they are constantly wearing their inventory, then they clean them up and sell it.

When it comes to Newman Daytonas, i don’t think you will find a vintage dealer putting a polish on one proactively. Unless it’s absolutely hammered, it’s a horrible idea. Easier to let the buyer of that $200,000 watch determine what they want to do. Clean honest unpolished Newman’s are worth a lot more than a perfectly polished Newman.

[Laszlo]

RSC polish IMO comes back soft and you can immediately tell. I would never have them polish my watches. It’s either you baby them or allow them to get the patina.

[Santiago32]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

RSC polish IMO comes back soft and you can immediately tell. I would never have them polish my watches. It’s either you baby them or allow them to get the patina.

Surprised the edges are soft.,, Are the edges also a bit round after RSC polish? I hear they do a really good job

[RolexSimon]

Each to his / her own. My SS Daytona is beaten up to hell and I won't polish it. No one can tell except me and I don't mind in the slightest - shows the watch gets used.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hello All

As a watch enthusiast I've spent many years collecting and trading watches which I enjoy wearing and which I'm proud of. I'm fortunate to have received most of my twenty watch collection from AD's and being the original owner, I've opted not to polish any of my watches, even the ones I've owned since 2001. The fact I'm subscribed watch forums, I'm already confessing to having an unusual obsession for watches so please hear me out.

Prior to the spike in interest of watches (when watches were readily available and weren't items of speculation), I used to see unpolished examples for sale and cases were sharp and lugs were sharp and fat.

My observation now is that the big grey market dealers are each polishing watches routinely as part of their preparation process before sale. I've been disappointed when looking at watches which are only up to five years old. The cases and lugs are rounded. This is extremely evident to me because I have unmolested examples of most models at home. I guess unless you see an untouched watch you may not be able to see the extent to which the shape has altered.

After speaking to a couple of grey market dealers about this, they claim that they are giving buyers what they want and that the watches fetch better money when refinished. The problem is though, the rate at which watches are being worn and flipped now, it won't be long before watches are polished to death as each piece is repeatedly, routinely polished.

You wouldn't polish a Paul Newman Daytona so why does every watch which goes up for sale need a polish?

The irony is that if I presented any of my watches to a grey market dealer for sale, they'd attempt to lowball and then advertise my watches as "unpolished" for a large premium on top of the market price.

I understand that not everyone is carful when wearing their watches and that accidents happen but unless you have dents and damage to watches (which probably need to be laser filled), can we not just live with hairline swirls on the case and bracelet for the longevity and enjoyment of our passion?

One of my Rolex was bought brand new 22 years ago, two-tone, and has never been or will be polished. Not a scratch visible.
Someone here said a watch that age will have plenty of scratches if viwed under a loop.
To which I responded that I am very happy to have never held a loop im my 60 plus years!

[sokoloka]

Originally Posted by bob sims

To which I responded that I am very happy to have never held a loop im my 60 plus years!

But have you held a loupe?

[Gab27]

Most used watches are polished because most buyers don't want to pay $10,000 for a scratched up watch.

I think if you posted a picture of a brand new watch from an AD and asked if it was over-polished that half the people on watch forums would probably say yes.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by Gab27

Most used watches are polished because most buyers don't want to pay $10,000 for a scratched up watch.

I think if you posted a picture of a brand new watch from an AD and asked if it was over-polished that half the people on watch forums would probably say yes.

No

[Fabi2000]

Originally Posted by Gab27

Most used watches are polished because most buyers don't want to pay $10,000 for a scratched up watch.

agree.

Originally Posted by Gab27

I think if you posted a picture of a brand new watch from an AD and asked if it was over-polished that half the people on watch forums would probably say yes.

probably true ;)