Is polishing a bad thing?

[brickbroker]

I see the words "never polished" quite a bit on watches as if it is a positive thing for buyers. Are there reasons behind why people don't like to have their bracelets polished? Wont the RSC always polish/refinish a bracelet when a watch goes in for a service unless otherwise specified? Just curious...

[MinMay]

The term "never polish" - for collectors ONLY if it's in MINT condition.

If the watch is all scratch up and look like POS, then "never polish" means nothing...nobody wants it.

Therefore, if you have a jacked up watch, then it's better to polish it.

It's the same analogy for any collectors of any kind....ie cars...collectors do not like any modification from the original.

[denmanproject]

It’s not the bracelet they are concerned with, it’s all about preserving the original case lines and lug / crown guard thickness

[imgook]

Originally Posted by MinMay

The term "never polish" - for collectors ONLY if it's in MINT condition.

If the watch is all scratch up and look like POS, then "never polish" means nothing...nobody wants it.

Therefore, if you have a jacked up watch, then it's better to polish it.

It's the same analogy for any collectors of any kind....ie cars...collectors do not like any modification from the original.

Great explanation! =)

[RJRJRJ]

A light polish by somebody who knows what they're doing is fine, but after too many polishes over so many years, you eventually lose enough metal that you can start to see it missing.

[dubins930]

Its a bad thing if a vintage piece in reasonable condition before polishing, or if you decide to wing it and do it yourself haha

[SearChart]

No, polishing is not a bad thing.

[Seibei]

Polishing is bad when it is obvious. If it is done in a skillful and sensitive way that preserves the original sharpness of a case, then it is fine. The trouble is that sometimes polishing is done poorly and the case is wrecked. Some sellers have the cheek to say that such a watch has never been polished, so buyer beware.

For my watch I prefer to keep it the way it is. If I want a watch with no scratches I suppose I will just buy a new watch.

I don't really understand why a buyer would prefer a polished watch over a watch that has signs of normal wear and tear. If the buyer wants the watch polished, then he or she is always free to have that done.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SearChart

No, polishing is not a bad thing.

Have to agree Bas your a expert on Rolex servicing, myself quite knowledgeable about the history and the Rolex brand over the past 40 odd years of being around Rolex watches.But on the internet it's been deemed bad punishable by death to polish any Rolex watch.You know it, I know it, this is complete and utter boswellocks, but today whatever is on the net is always right.What ruins a watch is those wanting to polish every time they see the slightest scratch.But normal routine RSC service every 5-8 years on today's mainly pampered watches will have little effect on lugs case bracelet for at least 5 full services 40 years of wearing.

[watchmavan]

Always a bad thing


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[minute_man]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Always a bad thing


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No offence but I just don't get it.
Especially in regards to contemporary models.
Of course polishing every time there is a scratch is bad and makes zero sense as many more will result from normal wear.
But, granted that a watch is actually being worn, what about a decade or more down the road? Who likes to wear a beat up watch that looks like s..t when it could be restored to it's original look?
That's just lack of proper care & maintenance imo.
Having a watch polished by RSC during service is the best practice.

[tyler1980]

polishing is a good thing because thinking it is harmful just encourages people to obsess about scratches and put stickers all over their watches and not wear them.

A regular RSC polish done by RSC at service is fine. Dont polish it every day, thats different.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by minute_man

No offence but I just don't get it.
Especially in regards to contemporary models.
Of course polishing every time there is a scratch is bad and makes zero sense as many more will result from normal wear.
But, granted that a watch is actually being worn, what about a decade or more down the road? Who likes to wear a beat up watch that looks like s..t when it could be restored to it's original look?
That's just lack of proper care & maintenance imo.
Having a watch polished by RSC during service is the best practice.

No offense taken. Some will like others not. For me there are more downsides than up. Poster will know he's getting both opinions. I'm on the no side. Seen too many issues with it.


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[minute_man]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Seen too many issues with it.

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Agreed. When poorly done it's nothing short of vandalism.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

No offense taken. Some will like others not. For me there are more downsides than up. Poster will know he's getting both opinions. I'm on the no side. Seen too many issues with it.


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I think that we all need to be more specific here.

A very light polish of the smooth areas and careful refinishing of the brushed parts will be completely unnoticeable. You can guarantee that every TS on here will carefully refinish each and every pre worn watch they sell with zero impact on case shape and overall finish.

Significant case reworking to remove deeper scratches and damage is a different matter altogether and soft, rounded edges are often the result of poor quality work.

A light refinish of a modern watch will only be noticeable becasue the watch will look like new.

A bad reworking of an older watch is to be avoided like the plague.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I think that we all need to be more specific here.



A very light polish of the smooth areas and careful refinishing of the brushed parts will be completely unnoticeable. You can guarantee that every TS on here will carefully refinish each and every pre worn watch they sell with zero impact on case shape and overall finish.



Significant case reworking to remove deeper scratches and damage is a different matter altogether and soft, rounded edges are often the result of poor quality work.



A light refinish of a modern watch will only be noticeable becasue the watch will look like new.



A bad reworking of an older watch is to be avoided like the plague.

To each their own. But I would say that if it's unnoticeable... why do it?


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[Speedbird-1]

I suspect that polishing a Rolex, is like a lot of
things in life, it's all about the degree, and balance.

[LuminousMaximus]

I have learned here not to polish. I used to poish everything in sight...
I mean I don't even wipe down my watches anymore. I may wash in light liquid soap, when in the tub and rinse, but no towel, just air dry.

Does that make me bad...?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Always a bad thing


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Please enlighten me on your knowledge about polishing modern day Rolex watches.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by padi56

Please enlighten me on your knowledge about polishing modern day Rolex watches.

Oh a modern maxi-case I'd definitely polish. Right down to old shape.

But in seriousness, there are many examples of "polish" that goes beyond with lines either disappearing or moving. The potential risk imo is not worth the temporary gain. Note I'm not referring to the removal and repair of damage.


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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Oh a modern maxi-case I'd definitely polish. Right down to old shape.

But in seriousness, there are many examples of "polish" that goes beyond with lines either disappearing or moving. The potential risk imo is not worth the temporary gain. Note I'm not referring to the removal and repair of damage.


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there are also many examples of bad 3rd party polishes. Dont know enough about what Rolex owners do to their watches, but its completely obvious on the AP forum when someone cuts corners and gets an AP serviced and polished by someone who has no business touching that watch.

There needs to be more discussion on who is doing this work and less about the idea that its always bad.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

there are also many examples of bad 3rd party polishes. Dont know enough about what Rolex owners do to their watches, but its completely obvious on the AP forum when someone cuts corners and gets an AP serviced and polished by someone who has no business touching that watch.



There needs to be more discussion on who is doing this work and less about the idea that its always bad.

Yes. Agree. But if people want to do it that's fine with me, it's not my watch.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Oh a modern maxi-case I'd definitely polish. Right down to old shape.

But in seriousness, there are many examples of "polish" that goes beyond with lines either disappearing or moving. The potential risk imo is not worth the temporary gain. Note I'm not referring to the removal and repair of damage.


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So you have no real knowledge, or experience of proper routine service polish by a RSC, only hearsay on the net without experience and actual had a RSC polish how can you state polish is always a bad thing.

[Fat_ninja]

Who likes wearing ugly beaten down watches? I vote yes for polishing

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

To each their own. But I would say that if it's unnoticeable... why do it?


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Don't ask me - ask all the trusted sellers.

I know the answer. And I suspect you do too.

An "as new" watch with no hairline scratches or light wear marks sells for more than one with even light signs of wear.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by padi56

So you have no real knowledge, or experience of proper routine service polish by a RSC, only hearsay on the net without experience and actual had a RSC polish how can you state polish is always a bad thing.

Well I can state my preference and give an optinion just like everyone else. I've even prefaced this with stating there are posters on both sides. I've also said that people should feel free to do it. I would not and have not for any of my watches including Rolex. But if we need to be registered with you to have an opinion I also don't feel strongly enough about someone else polishing their watch to make a big deal of it as you seem to be. Otherwise you wouldn't have posted such an aggressive response to an opinion. Chill bud.


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[Eric-London]

To quote someone on these forums, worrying about a light polishing now and again is like worrying your rooms will get smaller after a few coats of fresh paint.

Nothing wrong with having minty watches

[padi56]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Well I can state my preference and give an optinion just like everyone else. I've even prefaced this with stating there are posters on both sides. I've also said that people should feel free to do it. I would not and have not for any of my watches including Rolex. But if we need to be registered with you to have an opinion I also don't feel strongly enough about someone else polishing their watch to make a big deal of it as you seem to be. Otherwise you wouldn't have posted such an aggressive response to an opinion. Chill bud.


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No it's you that wants chill with comments like Always a bad thing without any experience of RSC polish

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by padi56

No it's you that wants chill with comments like Always a bad thing without any experience of RSC polish

Then why have you made up a statement with no knowledge? I have stated a personal opinion whereas you have said I have no experience of RSC. I have both personal experience and have been in direct contact with many who also have. So again I would say... Chill. I cannot believe that you are a moderator. How do you moderate yourself? You're telling me what experience I have and haven't had and that I'm not allowed a stated personal opinion! You are a joke.


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[jezza17]

I’ve had watches that have been over polished in the past so I am reluctant to allow it.