Is this Day Date 18038 overpolished?

[lucanus]

Trying to better my overpolishing eye, is this lovely Day Date overpolished?

[springer]

Here is one of mine for comparison. From 1984. A very original example.

[KY..]

It depends on who you ask, IMO the lug edges are not as sharp as I’d like on that particular model.

[offrdmania]

The mid case on the OPs watch is super fat, almost too fat. Im wondering if the bezel isnt right, should be wider

[southtexas]

Here’s a sharp 18038 for comparison:

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The mid case on the OPs watch is super fat, almost too fat. Im wondering if the bezel isnt right, should be wider

The cases on the 1978 to 1983ish 18038 were fatter than the ones from 1984ish to 1988. That ‘bump’ by the crown is normal on the early cases. Lugs are wider as well.

[robinmgb]

If you like it and it’s the right price then I’d say buy it.
Far too much is made of over polishing on here, it looks a good usable watch to me, we all zoom in so much with pics now just to find faults that you’d never see with the naked eye
Wear and enjoy!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by lucanus

Trying to better my overpolishing eye, is this lovely Day Date overpolished?

Yes. Just compare it to the other examples on this thread, and you'll see.

Whether or not the case condition is a deal-breaker is up to you. Depends how picky you are.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by robinmgb

If you like it and it’s the right price then I’d say buy it.
Far too much is made of over polishing on here, it looks a good usable watch to me, we all zoom in so much with pics now just to find faults that you’d never see with the naked eye
Wear and enjoy!

Yes and no. I expect most vintage watches to have been polished in the past, but the OP example is extremely polished, to the point of changing the look/shape of the case.

However, bezel and dial look very nice, and bracelet looks pretty good too. Comes down to price and personal taste in my opinion.

[psv]

Yes

[DarthSimon]

It’s looks fine for it’s age . 12-13k price range retail.


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[WiseRat]

Originally Posted by lucanus

Trying to better my overpolishing eye, is this lovely Day Date overpolished?

Yes I would say that it is overpolished. Look at the end link lugs, they should have crisp edges, but they look like rounded nubs in your photos. Also the edges of the lugs look rounded off, and they are too thin for a 1978-1982 "fat-case" 18038. A sure sign of having seen the polishing wheel too many times over its life. Personally I would search for something in better condition. It shouldn't be hard to find.

For comparison sake, this is my unpolished "fat-case" 18038 from 1982, and shows how they came from the factory. You can see how the case edges and end link lugs are sharp, without rounded edges.

[KeenanK]

Hi all, out of curiosity, in the OP’s photos the joint between the lugs and the bracelet have voids where u can see light between the bracelet and head.

In contrast, though the more original examples’ photos are taken at an angle, you can tell they are tighter at that point without a void.

I see this gap in 1803’s and 18038’s sporadically and haven’t really seen them in 18238’s.

Why do you only find these gaps in “some” 1803 and 18038’s and not all of them?

Thanks,

Keenan

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by KeenanK

Hi all, out of curiosity, in the OP’s photos the joint between the lugs and the bracelet have voids where u can see light between the bracelet and head.

In contrast, though the more original examples’ photos are taken at an angle, you can tell they are tighter at that point without a void.

I see this gap in 1803’s and 18038’s sporadically and haven’t really seen them in 18238’s.

Why do you only find these gaps in “some” 1803 and 18038’s and not all of them?

Thanks,

Keenan

Can be caused by old and worn out spring bars. New ones make ‘gaps’ tighter and more flush.