Freccione Advice

[Mick P]

Chaps

I have just bought a Freccione and to be honest the pic makes it look worse than what it is in real life.

It seems reasonably original but at 36 years of age, who knows for sure.

I am going to take it into the local AD to get it serviced and the question I would like to ask is- should I leave the bezel or should I have it replaced or refurbished.

The body and bracelet are all nice and shiny with hardly any scratches so I am tempted to only have the mechanism serviced.

Does anyone have any advice or comments ?

Regards

Mick



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[lhanddds]

I know the bezel is supposed to be brushed but it doesn't bother me. A good cleaning and no polishing and you are good to go. If you prefer a restored watch then you can certainly accomplish that easily.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Congrats on a nice mk 5 1655.
One of the keys to vintage is to have the watch look consistent throughout. Having a perfect brushed bezel would look out of place in a watch with wear consistent with age.
Go with your heart. Good luck.

[CharlieMae]

I completely disagree. The bezel is supposed to be brushed, so have it removed and brushed. To do so requires removing almost no material and should not have any effect on the sharpness of the engravings.

It looks like an overpolished mess and that isnt what a naturally existing watch should look like. Someone put that thing on a wheel.

[Mick P]

Chaps

Opinion seems roughly equally divided, do anymore of you hold a view ?

Mick

[mattmcmhn]

Someone polished the crap out of that thing, and whoever did it didn't know what they were doing. If it was banged up but unpolished, or at least polished but correctly, I'd say leave it, but as is I would do a proper refinish and service at someplace like ABC Watchwerks. They do amazing things with vintage pieces, and will do everything to your specification.

[Old Expat Beast]

Mick, did you post that here before you bought it?

[springer]

Originally Posted by CharlieMae

I completely disagree. The bezel is supposed to be brushed, so have it removed and brushed. To do so requires removing almost no material and should not have any effect on the sharpness of the engravings.

It looks like an overpolished mess and that isnt what a naturally existing watch should look like. Someone put that thing on a wheel.

I would disagree and agree with Beaumont Miller. Nice, worn original watches, 40 or 50-years-old, are not all matted and "pretty." They become shiny after years of wear, caused by a polishing affect from the watch rubbing against sweaters, jackets, long sleeve shirts, gloves etc.

It always puts a smile on my face when someone posts an old and original watch here on the forum and I see the pundits respond and describe how over-polished it is - when in fact, in all probability, it is original.

If the owner chooses to keep it original, then so be it. Adding matte finishes where they originally were would definitely detract from an original appearance if one wants to keep it original. There are collectors for both "original" finish watches and refinished watches - although the greatest majority would definitely be those that prefer the correct type of finish on their vintage Rolex.

It is hard to tell here, from one photo, if the watch was over-polished, or is a result of some polishing exacerbated by years of wear.
One thing is for certain, based on the condition of the watch head and bracelet stretch, it has seen many years of wear. While the bracelet appears to have a recent matte polish, the head has not.

[Vincent65]

I'd say it you have any of it refinished (bezel) do the tops of the lugs as well.

[Mick P]

Chaps

Thanks for the replies, it is all good stuff and even knowledgeable chaps like you seem divided showing that there is no right or wrong way.

Adam - I took the pic after buying the watch. I like the watch and do not have the slightest trace of buyers remorse. This watch will be a keeper because I genuinely like it. The pic makes it look more shiny than what it is in real life and my inclination is now to either to leave the bezel as it is or have it replaced on the condition I am allowed to keep the old one for future use.

I will be taking it into my local AD later today and I know from previous discussions that he likes sympathetic restoration rather than renewing bits.

I suppose in all honesty I would be quite happy to leave the watch totally unrestored externally and just have the calibre serviced.

Once again many thanks for your comments, it really is appreciated.

Regards

Mick

[Mick P]

Chaps

The watch is now in the hands of the AD for a service and should be ready for collection in about 5 weeks from now.

The good news is that it is all original and the advice from the shop owner was to leave the bezel and case as it is and just to replace the plexi glass.

So once again, thanks for your advice.

Regards

Mick

[JerimiahLee]

Originally Posted by mattmcmhn

Someone polished the crap out of that thing, and whoever did it didn't know what they were doing. If it was banged up but unpolished, or at least polished but correctly, I'd say leave it, but as is I would do a proper refinish and service at someplace like ABC Watchwerks. They do amazing things with vintage pieces, and will do everything to your specification.

I have to disagree based on this one photo. Often times that polish your referring to and Springer noted as well is often called "Sleeve Worn". This is caused by years of honest wear on someones wrist makes the tops/sides of the lugs nice and shiny, but still leaves them thick and even.

Without more photos of the profile of the individual lugs it would be hard to tell if it was "over polished" or not.

[playmore009]

Congrats on an excellent watch!

Really great info from the rest of you guys.

[mattmcmhn]

Originally Posted by JerimiahLee

I have to disagree based on this one photo. Often times that polish your referring to and Springer noted as well is often called "Sleeve Worn". This is caused by years of honest wear on someones wrist makes the tops/sides of the lugs nice and shiny, but still leaves them thick and even.

Without more photos of the profile of the individual lugs it would be hard to tell if it was "over polished" or not.

Yup that's true, and actually I think might be correct because they do look thick. I think polished or worn I would still do a full service and refinish on it to make it "mine".

[Robbyvm]

I love it the way it is.... Enjoy the hell out of this honest vintage beauty !

[thomaspp]

Gorgeous, but too bad about the bezel being so polished like that....

Probably not the popular answer here, but I'd have the bezel replaced.

[PoderEsBueno]

Congrats nice watch