Polished from Dallas RSC

[1mlee0916]

Just got back my 40 year old Datejust from the Dallas RSC. It was polished for the first time ever. There’s a visual difference between the thickness of the lugs. Is this just something that’s to be expected when polishing? It maybe my OCD, but I got a watch back with slightly different lug widths! Is there anything I can do? Is it even worth complaining to the RSC?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the newb question.

[Frakis]

Post a before and after picture if you want more people to comment.

[c41006]

Post some pics

[vipereaper30]

Stories like this make me never want to polish a watch. It'll never be the same again. Although I'd expect the RSC to be the best with a polishing service.

[joli160]

Lug width is different on crown side, designed like that

[jvmartin]

Originally Posted by 1mlee0916

Just got back my 40 year old Datejust from the Dallas RSC. It was polished for the first time ever. There’s a visual difference between the thickness of the lugs. Is this just something that’s to be expected when polishing? It maybe my OCD, but I got a watch back with slightly different lug widths! Is there anything I can do? Is it even worth complaining to the RSC?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the newb question.

Even if you were to complain there is no going back now... polished lugs are clearly different from how the lugs are originally cut... the condition of the casing will influence the end result of the polish... post pics!

[mui.richard]

In sorry but it's a 40 year old watch and you expect it to come back like new? That's not OCD at all, just unreal expectations.

Maybe a photo would help?

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[D O C]

You're not imagining things. I sent my watch off to Dallas RSC a number of years ago as well. I really didn't want it polished. But when I got it back I noticed the same thing. It seemed that the edges of the lugs seems more rounded off making the watch look thinner. For some reason having that sharp edge makes the watch look thick and substantial as it should.

Not a fan of Dallas RSC. I remember at the time I got my watch back a few days later I noticed there was a scratch on the end of the second hand. When I took it back to the AD they said they could send it back into Dallas RSC but I'd probably get charged again plus shipping etc. I was so glad to have my watch back after not having it for a month. I said I'd pass.

[Onikage]

Depth of the marks plays a large part. Polishing = Removal of surrounding metal to at least the depth of the deepest scratch or ding.

[DLRIDES]

1) Polishing SHOULD only remove base material to the depth of an indentation. What was the pre-polish condition ?

2) Never send a 40 year old watch to an RSC, they will suggest replacing (or may have replaced)some original parts that will de-value the watch. If this happened, I wouldn’t worry about the “polish”, but the original parts that are lost forever.

[traxla]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

1) Polishing SHOULD only remove base material to the depth of an indentation. What was the pre-polish condition ?

2) Never send a 40 year old watch to an RSC, they will suggest replacing (or may have replaced)some original parts that will de-value the watch. If this happened, I wouldn’t worry about the “polish”, but the original parts that are lost forever.

Can't you decline or instruct the RSC not to replace the dial, hands and other parts?

I'll be sending my '74 DJ to the Dallas RSC before year end and I want to make sure they won't replace any of the external parts, or the dial and hands.

[Tools]

The crown side lugs are slimmer than the non-crown side. Are you sure that you are not simply over-analyzing your freshly Serviced watch.

[GTS Dean]

He could be, but RSC Dallas unforgivably botched my 27 year old OysterQuartz's first-ever service refinish. Previous to that, they did an absolutely stellar job on my 16520. I will not use them again except for warranty work. I'd much rather use the services of one of the expert independents on TRF.

[Dsmith1974]

The crown lugs are thinner to begin with - you will see this if you look closely at a new watch (eg any ad/stock photo).

You only need to worry when the lugs are the same width.

Not sure if this was true 40 years ago, but it’s been like that for a long time.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by traxla

Can't you decline or instruct the RSC not to replace the dial, hands and other parts?

I'll be sending my '74 DJ to the Dallas RSC before year end and I want to make sure they won't replace any of the external parts, or the dial and hands.

Send it to LAWW, Rikki, ABC, or other vintage specialists around. If not, we’ll be reading your post of ruination.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by joli160

Lug width is different on crown side, designed like that

Learned something new today!

[mikkolopez]

If you specified only movement service then they would do just that ... after going through the motion getting you to agree to replace this or that. The last pitch would be polishing.

When I had my DJ services, I said movement only and I will not sign for or pay for anything else, that set them right.

Sadly if you hadn’t made that clear then it’s a free for all for RSC.


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by traxla

Can't you decline or instruct the RSC not to replace the dial, hands and other parts?

I'll be sending my '74 DJ to the Dallas RSC before year end and I want to make sure they won't replace any of the external parts, or the dial and hands.

No RSC!! Big mistake. Find a reputable independent to service a watch this age!!

[Andad]

See posts 5 and 12.

[m j b]

I think that anyone who plans to send their watch to an RSC should measure all applicable areas with a micrometer and take lots of detailed high resolution pictures before packing it up. Then when these questions arise, they can measure everything and realize that nothing actually happened to the watch, and you cannot take off a measurable amount of metal with a cloth buffing wheel.