why no polishing is recommended

[Ssunnylee24]

But everyone will bend over for Akira Nakai to refinish their old Porsche.
Its not matter of polished or not, its how its done.

[Tangier11]

The reasons not to does not apply to platinum watches, is this correct?

[HappyFish]

Originally Posted by Ssunnylee24

But everyone will bend over for Akira Nakai to refinish their old Porsche.
Its not matter of polished or not, its how its done.

I love 100% original - with money, arts, cars, watches and women!

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by legedema

I wonder why people here dont recommend this during the service.
I do own a subC since a few months and do already have some very small scratches on the bracelet.
is there any reason why we should not polish ?

thanks in advance

Because some people are wierd!

It started with vintage watches with military provenance, but then slow spilled over to the whole vintage market when examples of overpolished watch cases were being sold and also when Grey dealers learned that some people are willing to pay more for untouched watch.

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

Because every polish removes a very small amount of metal. after a few polishes, the shape of the watch will alter.

This does not apply to Platinum, is that correct?

[GolfPunk]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

This does not apply to Platinum, is that correct?

No, I believe the platinum metal ‘moves around’ and isnt eroded.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

No, I believe the platinum metal ‘moves around’ and isnt eroded.

You have no concept of metallic bonds at the atomic level. They DO NOT just move from place to place during polishing.

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

You have no concept of metallic bonds at the atomic level. They DO NOT just move from place to place during polishing.

Please explain

[GolfPunk]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

You have no concept of metallic bonds at the atomic level. They DO NOT just move from place to place during polishing.

Nice and polite???

I stated ‘I believe’ ..... I did not state as a fact.

[Bladeshot]

Sub C - Absoutely; have it polished at service intervals. No reason not to. It has wide lugs and will outlast each one of us...

When folks like me say we prefer not to polish, we are generally talking about vintage Rolex which are no longer manufactured. 4 and 5 digit References. The shape of the case (and particularly lugs on those) can be changed if an unskilled person polishes them. And over time they are gradually eroded when metal is removed during each polish.

Every now and then, you have to polish a vintage watch, as Jason71 illustrated.

Use common sense, and a skilled watchmaker or RSC to do the work.

[Daveclock]

That looks SO GOOD - never guessed the dial would be that nice under the patina of the slightly scratched crystal!

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

You have no concept of metallic bonds at the atomic level. They DO NOT just move from place to place during polishing.

Doesn't everyone know about the metallic bonds at the atomic level!!!?? Did you think about how you sounded before posting that comment? Ass

[1watch]

Originally Posted by Ssunnylee24

But everyone will bend over for Akira Nakai to refinish their old Porsche.
Its not matter of polished or not, its how its done.

I wouldn’t let that butcher near my air cooled 911. Cringeworthy to believe people actually pay for him to mod their Porsche.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by Jason71

There was a little work done out of pure necessity. I spoke to the restoration entity at length regarding refinish work. Unfortunately, the previous owner used ill-fitting springbars with the aftermarket bracelet (first picture) and wore the lug holes into an “oval” shape over the years. Evidently he broke and disregarded the original bracelet within the first year of ownership.

Due to the oval shape of the drilled-through lug holes, it was necessary to perform a little laser welding on the inside of each lug. This necessitated brushing the top of each lug. They talked me into re-cutting the chamfers after this work. I elected to leave the case sides in original condition.

I’ll try and post some pictures that better depict the scratched/dinged/nicked case sides. I have no regrets about the decisions made for restoration. Luckily, I had one of the gurus on this site that graciously helped me through the decision-making every step of the way.

It looks like you did just the right level of restoration/refinishing...not only does it not take away from the original untouched watch, it improved upon it.

[Seibei]

Seibei is currently busy studying "metallic bonds at the atomic level".

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Seibei is currently busy studying "metallic bonds at the atomic level".

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

Please explain

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

Nice and polite???

I stated ‘I believe’ ..... I did not state as a fact.

Originally Posted by Tangier11

Doesn't everyone know about the metallic bonds at the atomic level!!!?? Did you think about how you sounded before posting that comment? Ass

No I don't think everyone does, but I also try not to speculate on something I know nothing about. Yes, I was direct and not tactful, but it happens everyday on the forum. Get over it. Not everyone gets a particpation trophy.

I have two degrees in materials engineering and have polished samples of multiple materials (metals and ceramics) for examination under light and electron microscopes. All polishing removes material including just "cleaning" a bronze watch case with lemon juice - that removes the oxidation layer. If you want to get the readers digest version, here's a link for you both.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishing_(metalworking)

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

No I don't think everyone does, but I also try not to speculate on something I know nothing about. Yes, I was direct and not tactful, but it happens everyday on the forum. Get over it. Not everyone gets a particpation trophy.

I have two degrees in materials engineering and have polished samples of multiple materials (metals and ceramics) for examination under light and electron microscopes. All polishing removes material including just "cleaning" a bronze watch case with lemon juice - that removes the oxidation layer. If you want to get the readers digest version, here's a link for you both.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishing_(metalworking)

Perhaps you should sell one of those degrees on ebay and buy How to win friends and influence people

[subtona]

Different reasons for different folks, for me it is Because I have at times received a watch back that was polished at service by what appeared to be monkeys using a tool for the first time. (No offense to monkeys, I get they have not yet developed an appreciation for watches with the hairy arms and all.)

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

Perhaps you should sell one of those degrees on ebay and buy How to win friends and influence people

Nah, my friends and family have thick skins and don't get offended easily.

[GolfPunk]

Jesus, how boring is thzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



[ QUOTE=Baco Noir;9261135]No I don't think everyone does, but I also try not to speculate on something I know nothing about. Yes, I was direct and not tactful, but it happens everyday on the forum. Get over it. Not everyone gets a particpation trophy.

I have two degrees in materials engineering and have polished samples of multiple materials (metals and ceramics) for examination under light and electron microscopes. All polishing removes material including just "cleaning" a bronze watch case with lemon juice - that removes the oxidation layer. If you want to get the readers digest version, here's a link for you both.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishing_(metalworking)[/QUOTE]

[doctoryellow]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

No, I believe the platinum metal ‘moves around’ and isnt eroded.

When it gets dinged and scratched, yes. But someone with a tool can very much remove material from platinum also.

I’m glad I chose to not let my platinum watch get polished when it was sent for service. I’ve seen platinum watches with rounded edges after polishing

[Watchgeek5000]

I prefer non polished on sport models, no matter how scratched they get they look great!

[Muxi]

Polishing the right way is an art that needs the skill of a proper craftsman. I believe that one should vet the person he would entrust his watch to do it properly. Some RSC technicians are not properly skilled to do it.

[Chaching]

Originally Posted by Muxi

Polishing the right way is an art that needs the skill of a proper craftsman. I believe that one should vet the person he would entrust his watch to do it properly. Some RSC technicians are not properly skilled to do it.

Agreed! There are some excellent independents out there and no b.s. servicing the watch with unnecessary parts.

[subguy]

Originally Posted by doctoryellow

When it gets dinged and scratched, yes. But someone with a tool can very much remove material from platinum also.

I’m glad I chose to not let my platinum watch get polished when it was sent for service. I’ve seen platinum watches with rounded edges after polishing

Can those of you with platinum watches please post pictures of them that show the wear? Do you find it scratches more or less easily than 904 steel? Do scratches on platinum watches look the same as on stainless steel?

I've read mixed opinions on this so would love to see first hand examples and judge for myself. Thinking of the day date....

[jps3b]

I get my watches serviced by RSC. They come back looking brand new and I will continue to do this for as long as I own my watches. I just sent my Omega Seamaster in for its first service. I waited 17 years. There was no damage. It only needed the normal servicing and came back looking brand new. I guess if you have a very old vintage piece and you polish it, you will remove some of its value. I think. I don’t buy vintage. Also, I don’t think the watches need servicing until 12-15 years depending on how old/new they are. That’s just been my experience.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

Sure is! It’s for sale too.

Lol....need a bit more room with the kiddos (E63 S Wagon here).

[Rolexlover123]

That's an extreme case right there.

Originally Posted by Jason71

Here is a watch that is over 30 years old when I found it in its unpolished original state. Now, if the watch would have been sent every 5 years for service.....that would have been at least 6 services. I can guarantee you that the original lines wouldn’t be as crisp as what you see here. Once the original crispness of the midcase has been lost......you can’t ever get it back.

[Rolexlover123]

Truth, brother, truth!!!!!

Originally Posted by Roll X

Respectfuly, not "everyone" sees scratches as "character". Most people see scratches.
Nobody walks into an AD and says "Excuse me, do you have any used Rolexes with character"?