why no polishing is recommended

[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

[Slider817]

This topic has been discussed many times before on this forum. Use the search feature, really comes down to value retention and personal preferences.

[GolfPunk]

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

[RJRJRJ]

There is nothing wrong with a light polish on a modern Rolex. Those that preach otherwise are speaking as though they have a rare vintage piece.

[JodyHighroller]

I agree that nothing is wrong with a light polish during RSC service. I believe it's more important that the watchmaker who is doing the work is competent.

[burnthesehills]

I would probably wait several years until the first Rolex service and then have them do a polish with the service. I would not polish it yourself or have someone else do it. It does wear down the steel after awhile. And with a brused stainless bracelet, what’s the point? It’s just going to develop scratches almost immediately but not as noticeable on brushed vs polished.

If you have PCL’s I can see you wanting to polish them once in a while. But the less the better.

[ronricks]

If a watch is correctly polished you can’t even tell.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I agree that nothing is wrong with a light polish during RSC service. I believe it's more important that the watchmaker who is doing the work is competent.

Agree with your statement. Is that a Black Series in your avatar?

[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Agree with your statement. Is that a Black Series in your avatar?

Sure is! It’s for sale too.

[bp1000]

Scratches always come back.

All polishing does is give temporary visual appeal at the expense of altering the shape of the case.

[superstarmar]

A polish by RSC in it's correct service time is acceptable if it's even needed
or necessary.
The problem is some people polish every time there's a little
scratch and or scuff and it alters the shape of the watch if it's not
done properly by a professional and could
possibly devalue the timepiece.

[codecow]

Polishing removes material. If you remove material over time at some point it becomes obvious.

[ronricks]

I will also add that polishing on the 5 digit models can be an issue because of the already slim lugs it is easier to butcher a 5 digit case. 6 digit models hold a polish much better and you would have to polish it many times before one could really notice.

[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.

[CDNWatchNut]

Rolex polishes and finishes a watch when it’s manufactured...so, I would think that a light polish/refinish by RSC at service using the right processes and in the right hands should do no perceptible harm to the case geometry, and the owner enjoys a close to new looking and feeling watch again.
For true vintage watches and patina preservation, I totally understand the concept of leaving it be. For modern watches, the owner is wearing it to enjoy today, and likely not thinking or caring about the future collectibility for the person who happens to own it in 50 years.

[nikesupremedunk]

I’ve never had a watch polished by RSC but did have it polished by a very reputable shop whose name pops up all the time here. They did do a good job on it, but I was able to tell immediately the thinner lugs and overall altered case shape. It stuck out to me so much that I no longer enjoyed wearing the watch so I ended up selling it. That was after 1 “light” polish so I don’t believe that “you can’t even tell” argument.

I will no longer polish my watch and like everyone says, each scratch adds character and now they don’t even bother me. I rather keep the original razor sharp lines of my watch than a polished one with no scratches.

[Hodog16]

I won't bother with polishes because after about a month of wear it'll look just like you started with. Rather have sharp edges than a pristine watch for a day or two.

[Roll X]

Originally Posted by nikesupremedunk

I’ve never had a watch polished by RSC but did have it polished by a very reputable shop whose name pops up all the time here. They did do a good job on it, but I was able to tell immediately the thinner lugs and overall altered case shape. It stuck out to me so much that I no longer enjoyed wearing the watch so I ended up selling it. That was after 1 “light” polish so I don’t believe that “you can’t even tell” argument.

I will no longer polish my watch and like everyone says, each scratch adds character and now they don’t even bother me. I rather keep the original razor sharp lines of my watch than a polished one with no scratches.

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"?

[sillo]

Because what's the point when you're just going to get it scratched up again while removing those nice sharp edges (and chamfers on older pieces) that are present when new and unpolished.

[Shamorai]

Polishing removes all the character that you give it over time.

[Roll X]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Because what's the point when you're just going to get it scratched up again while removing those nice sharp edges (and chamfers on older pieces) that are present when new and unpolished.

Because some people don't like scratches on their watches.
And a scratch free watch is more important to them than a factory perfect edge.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Roll X

Because some people don't like scratches on their watches.
And a scratch free watch is more important to them than a factory perfect edge.

So you're going to polish the watch every single time it gets a scratch?

[Roll X]

Originally Posted by Shamorai

Polishing removes all the character that you give it over time.

If you accidentally push your grocery cart into the door of your 500SL, is that a ding...or is it "character"?

[JodyHighroller]

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"?

100% agree!

The same could be said for when purchasing used cars. I've never seen anyone shop for a car loaded with scratches/damage because they want extra character from the previous owner.

[Roll X]

Originally Posted by sillo38

So you're going to polish the watch every single time it gets a scratch?

Polishing your watch every time you scratch it is a rather large stretch from having it polished at service.

[RolieKid]

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.

How does one tell time on that thing?

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Roll X

Polishing your watch every time you scratch it is a rather large stretch from having it polished at service.

My bad, misread your post. You're right though, it's up to the owner and there's nothing wrong with polishing especially when done by Rolex.

Originally Posted by RolieKid

How does one tell time on that thing?

A new crystal will go a long way there. Don't think polywatch will do the trick.

[Roll X]

Originally Posted by sillo38

My bad, misread your post. You're right though, it's up to the owner and there's nothing wrong with polishing especially when done by Rolex.



A new crystal will go a long way there. Don't think polywatch will do the trick.

No worries my friend. :)

[doctoryellow]

I agree that polishing is not a good idea. Just buy a new watch

[Shamorai]

Originally Posted by Roll X

If you accidentally push your grocery cart into the door of your 500SL, is that a ding...or is it "character"?

A car is not a watch.