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Old 9 November 2017, 12:32 PM   #1
05carbondrz
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Icon4 Thoughts on recutting Cases?

I noticed most of the bigger Vintage Rolex Dealers send their Cases to LAWW to get them recut.What is everyone’s thoughts on this? Would you prefer a recut case or an original case that’s been polished over the Years? It seems pretty obvious buyers prefer the recut Cases otherwise the Dealers wouldn’t spend the time and money to have the work done.
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Old 9 November 2017, 01:02 PM   #2
SAAS
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If a case has been poorly polished I’d prefer it be recut. If the case has softened from age or has natural patina I’d prefer to leave it be. It’s all about personal preference
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Old 9 November 2017, 01:10 PM   #3
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I say case peace. Let them be...... no more cutting, welding, polishing, or refinishing. ... Let them be. If your 50 year watch has been serviced six times and polished at each service.... Let it be.
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Old 9 November 2017, 01:54 PM   #4
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I struggled with this question when I bought my gilt GMT. The case was fat but it had been polished in the past and the lugs were soft and round. I ultimately decided to have it recut thinking its been polished before whats the harm in having it done correctly.

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Old 10 November 2017, 02:18 AM   #5
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just let the watch show its story and age.
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Old 10 November 2017, 03:22 AM   #6
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On many vintage watches where the case has been overly polished or improperly refinished in the past, refinishing the case with the proper lines and finish can bring an old, worn-out case back to life. Many enjoy them and it is personal taste.
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Old 10 November 2017, 08:33 AM   #7
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2 things that bug me the most...flared spring bar holed and rounded sides and edges.

If the holes aren't REALLY flared badly this will go away with proper lapping.

If I had to live with a case like tha,t I'd pass on the watch.

So...if you fixed the same watch with a nice recut properly done without "augmentation" and it wasn't toothpick lugs...I'd be WAY more enthralled with the watch than if I was forced to live with it knowing it had been done badly in the past.

jmho.
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Old 10 November 2017, 09:54 AM   #8
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Some very good insights thus far,I appreciate all the responses.
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Old 10 November 2017, 05:19 PM   #9
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a 60's watch with a recut case is like a 60 year old with a facelift.
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Old 10 November 2017, 11:49 PM   #10
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a 60's watch with a recut case is like a 60 year old with a facelift.
Hah! You know, the one exception I saw on here recently was someone's YG Sub, he'd had the case redone, and the watch looked NOS, lovely. But that would've been a safe queen anyway and I agreed with the poster a luxury watch should look luxe.

The SS sports watches look fine with a few dings, the 5513 I'm wearing today has been around longer than I have, I can always buy a new Sub-C if I want a shiny Sub.
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Old 14 November 2017, 09:14 AM   #11
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Sent my 1961 gmt to LAWW last month and I am thrilled with the result. I guesss it's just a personal preference.



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Old 14 November 2017, 10:16 AM   #12
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Thoughts on recutting Cases?

That looks great^^^^beautiful watch!

Depends on the watch and state of current case. Really a personal preference. I debated having my 50 year old gilt Sub re cut but decided against it as the case was in great shape with nice patina. Wanted to keep that one all original. But even a well aged “fat” case loses some of the lug grain and bevel over time.
We did cut a 5513 Maxi and it came out looking NOS and I loved that watch. This was before the Maxi price explosion and they were pretty easy to find at the time.
I guess I like both looks and I am no help...
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Old 14 November 2017, 05:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
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Sent my 1961 gmt to LAWW last month and I am thrilled with the result. I guesss it's just a personal preference.
That looks amazing, great job done
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Old 14 November 2017, 06:26 PM   #14
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I guess I like both looks and I am no help...
One of each it is then, good choice Sir.
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Old 14 November 2017, 07:56 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Blakerhodes View Post
Sent my 1961 gmt to LAWW last month and I am thrilled with the result. I guesss it's just a personal preference.



Wonderful job. Congrats to you and to LAWW.
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Old 14 November 2017, 08:17 PM   #16
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Sorry for interrupting, can you spend some time to answer me - what is the site of LAWW (I googled it, but it gives links to threads on this forum...)?
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Old 14 November 2017, 08:51 PM   #17
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Sorry for interrupting, can you spend some time to answer me - what is the site of LAWW (I googled it, but it gives links to threads on this forum...)?

http://www.lawatchworks.com
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Old 14 November 2017, 10:30 PM   #18
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Wow!! I just checked their Instagram page out..

How much does such a refinishing cost? do they take watches from abroad?
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Old 14 November 2017, 10:55 PM   #19
HERITAGE82
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Wow!! I just checked their Instagram page out..

How much does such a refinishing cost? do they take watches from abroad?
They have different levels of refinishing starting at $100-500.
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Old 15 November 2017, 01:48 AM   #20
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Thoughts on recutting Cases?

Quote:
Originally Posted by francoiscevert View Post
Wow!! I just checked their Instagram page out..

How much does such a refinishing cost? do they take watches from abroad?


Recut of case is $500USD


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Old 15 November 2017, 02:23 AM   #21
Blakerhodes
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Recut of case is $500USD


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Maybe they have raised their prices, I paid 750 and it took about 5-6 weeks.
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Old 15 November 2017, 03:31 AM   #22
mattedialdoc
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Maybe they have raised their prices, I paid 750 and it took about 5-6 weeks.

I’m sure there is a range of cost based on complexity of the casework. Your watch is amazing btw!!


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Old 15 November 2017, 03:40 AM   #23
harry in montreal
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I have a sub with a badly damaged lug. I would never recut it. I think it like touching up a dial. I would avoid them if I was buying.
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Old 15 November 2017, 05:30 AM   #24
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Wonderful job. Congrats to you and to LAWW.
Looks great. Do you have any pictures of the case prior to the recut?
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Old 15 November 2017, 12:25 PM   #25
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There is a definite premium on unpolished cases, I wonder if there will be a premium on uncut cases in the future. Based on the vintage car market I'd bet so.
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Old 16 November 2017, 07:49 PM   #26
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Looks great. Do you have any pictures of the case prior to the recut?
Yes, before and after would be great!
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Old 19 November 2017, 11:01 AM   #27
rusty427
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Thoughts on recutting Cases?

How do they recut a case? Is it with a lapping machine that has the angles set to factory specifications?
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Old 19 November 2017, 11:06 AM   #28
05carbondrz
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How do they recut a case? Is it with a lapping machine that has the angles set to factory specifications?
That is my understanding.
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Old 19 November 2017, 11:14 AM   #29
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Thanks^^
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Old 19 November 2017, 11:04 PM   #30
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I say leave it alone. Remember old baseball cards that had bent corners? You just accepted that was the condition....you never cut the card
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