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koufax80 · 13 January 2017, 01:10 PM

May be a dumb question, but when looking at preowned watches, occasionally I'll notice that the brushed finish seems to have two different tones, one on the majority of the surface and a different shade or hue next to where it appears it wouldn't be easy to refinish. Is this a sign that the watch has been refinished? If so, is it of any concern? Am I making any sense???

JP Chestnut · 13 January 2017, 01:25 PM

Judging finish based on great pictures, which that isn't, is hard. You really need to both know what you're looking for AND be able to check it out at a bunch of angles in different light. With that said - if you're buying from a trusted dealer and it's not NIB or "unpolished" you can be almost certain the watch has been hit with a wheel at some point.

koufax80 · 13 January 2017, 01:31 PM

Thanks, that helps. Is it "common" for trusted sellers to touch up watches they receive?

Sublover2166 · 13 January 2017, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koufax80

Thanks, that helps. Is it "common" for trusted sellers to touch up watches they receive?

Depends. Some pieces are listed as unpolished. Best thing to do is ASK! These sellers reputations are only as good as their last happy client. IMO, they will go the extra mile to make you happy far more than a salesman at an AD that you have never met. My AD buying days are over. Trusted sellers are my preferred method to purchase a watch.

joli160 · 13 January 2017, 05:07 PM

Any used watch with a clasp that looks like your picture has been refinished or has hardly ever been worn.

Anthon · 13 January 2017, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joli160

Any used watch with a clasp that looks like your picture has been refinished or has hardly ever been worn.

This.

crowncollection · 13 January 2017, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joli160

Any used watch with a clasp that looks like your picture has been refinished or has hardly ever been worn.

Exactly cheers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Vinny 1966 · 13 January 2017, 08:40 PM

Polish them good and hard, You can not wear off metal with hand polishing.

mannyv11 · 13 January 2017, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

Polish them good and hard, You can not wear off metal with hand polishing.

yes you absolutely can.

sco · 14 January 2017, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

Polish them good and hard, You can not wear off metal with hand polishing.

Totally false. Removing metal so the surface is even to "remove" scratches is exactly how polishing works. Even by hand.

Vinny 1966 · 14 January 2017, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sco

Totally false. Removing metal so the surface is even to "remove" scratches is exactly how polishing works. Even by hand.

you would need to polish for years to wear any metal off, polishing once a week is fine.

mannyv11 · 14 January 2017, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

you would need to polish for years to wear any metal off, polishing once a week is fine.

again that is completely false. If you polish even by hand to remove a scratch metal is being removed. The scratch doesn't just magically go away.

JP Chestnut · 14 January 2017, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koufax80

Thanks, that helps. Is it "common" for trusted sellers to touch up watches they receive?

Common? Almost certain outside of the two exceptions I mentioned.

JP Chestnut · 14 January 2017, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

you would need to polish for years to wear any metal off, polishing once a week is fine.

Wrong - just stop. Someone mirror finished a sub using those stupid cape cod cloths. He rubbed it down gently once a week to "clean" it.

joli160 · 14 January 2017, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Common? Almost certain outside of the two exceptions I mentioned.

Yes 99% of second hand watches on the market are polished, otherwise they don't sell.
Not really an issue, if done properly you can hardly tell, hence many sellers use the term "unworn" or "unpolished".
On any watch after a month of normal daily wear you'll find scratches, swirls and other traces of use. In absence of these marks you'll have to assume it has been rejuvenated whatever the sales pitch of the seller.

Vinny 1966 · 14 January 2017, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Wrong - just stop. Someone mirror finished a sub using those stupid cape cod cloths. He rubbed it down gently once a week to "clean" it.

You only use a cape cod on polished surfaces, NOT BRUSHED

mannyv11 · 14 January 2017, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

You only use a cape cod on polished surfaces, NOT BRUSHED

yes and it still removes metal.

Vinny 1966 · 14 January 2017, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyv11

yes and it still removes metal.

Yeah after about 10 years of rubbing very hard

JP Chestnut · 14 January 2017, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

Yeah after about 10 years of rubbing very hard

You're really dense. I don't need an emoji to express it for me.

OP - ignore this guy. I'm out of this thread. Shoot me a PM if you need further help.

Orangejoe · 14 January 2017, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

You're really dense. I don't need an emoji to express it for me.

OP - ignore this guy. I'm out of this thread. Shoot me a PM if you need further help.

I'm usually against mods banning members, but Vinny is really making me reconsider my ways.

I have to wonder how does he think polishing works if not by removing metal? Hmm.

beer · 14 January 2017, 03:36 AM

it could be that the easier to reach areas were scuffed more during use and so required more thorough polishing

the polisher may have decided to leave the less worn areas as untouched as possible

Hodog16 · 14 January 2017, 03:41 AM

Yup I imagine most preowned watches are polished in some way. Just ask the seller, they will tell you the status.

WS9D · 14 January 2017, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangejoe

I'm usually against mods banning members, but Vinny is really making me reconsider my ways.

I have to wonder how does he think polishing works if not by removing metal? Hmm.

Maybe he's confusing SS with platinum? Lol.... nawwww

Etschell · 14 January 2017, 03:50 AM

note to self, do not let Vinny polish my watch.

behardt · 14 January 2017, 04:44 AM

OP, be aware that 5 digit sports models (brand new) could have different levels of "brushed" surfaces and appear fairly different because the angles. Ex: the lugs on 5 digit submariners sometimes had a little bolder "brushing" that the bracelet. Because it was on a different angle, it looked even more pronounced. If that's some of what you're seeing - may be perfectly normal. This changed on the 6 digit C models.

Lordofrolex · 14 January 2017, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Judging finish based on great pictures, which that isn't, is hard. You really need to both know what you're looking for AND be able to check it out at a bunch of angles in different light. With that said - if you're buying from a trusted dealer and it's not NIB or "unpolished" you can be almost certain the watch has been hit with a wheel at some point.

x2

daveo5 · 14 January 2017, 05:33 AM

When it comes to polishing, go to the best. Rolex knows which model and bracelet get type needed.

treblarefils · 14 January 2017, 05:44 AM

Nothing wrong with that polish job in that picture. It just appears it has oil from handling or polishing debris in the brushing. If you have ever used a polish on metal of any sort you know its kind of greasy in a way and it will stick to the brushing. It just needs a good soap and water cleaning.

Old Expat Beast · 14 January 2017, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

you would need to polish for years to wear any metal off, polishing once a week is fine.

You weren't so sure last week.

www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=514305

cda555 · 14 January 2017, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You weren't so sure last week.

www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=514305

13 January 2017, 01:10 PM	#1
koufax80 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 64	Poor polishing? May be a dumb question, but when looking at preowned watches, occasionally I'll notice that the brushed finish seems to have two different tones, one on the majority of the surface and a different shade or hue next to where it appears it wouldn't be easy to refinish. Is this a sign that the watch has been refinished? If so, is it of any concern? Am I making any sense???

13 January 2017, 05:07 PM	#5
joli160 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,355	Any used watch with a clasp that looks like your picture has been refinished or has hardly ever been worn. __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

14 January 2017, 03:36 AM	#21
beer "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Watch Dealer atm! Watch: all Posts: 2,800	it could be that the easier to reach areas were scuffed more during use and so required more thorough polishing the polisher may have decided to leave the less worn areas as untouched as possible __________________

14 January 2017, 03:50 AM	#24
Etschell "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL Watch: platinum sub Posts: 15,884	note to self, do not let Vinny polish my watch. __________________ If you wind it, they will run. 25 or 6 to 4.

14 January 2017, 04:44 AM	#25
behardt "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Real Name: Yoda Location: USA Posts: 468	OP, be aware that 5 digit sports models (brand new) could have different levels of "brushed" surfaces and appear fairly different because the angles. Ex: the lugs on 5 digit submariners sometimes had a little bolder "brushing" that the bracelet. Because it was on a different angle, it looked even more pronounced. If that's some of what you're seeing - may be perfectly normal. This changed on the 6 digit C models. __________________ "The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker." Voltaire

13 January 2017, 01:25 PM	#2
JP Chestnut Banned Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ann Arbor MI Watch: Rolex Ref 16600 Posts: 3,908	Judging finish based on great pictures, which that isn't, is hard. You really need to both know what you're looking for AND be able to check it out at a bunch of angles in different light. With that said - if you're buying from a trusted dealer and it's not NIB or "unpolished" you can be almost certain the watch has been hit with a wheel at some point.

13 January 2017, 01:31 PM	#3
koufax80 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 64	Thanks, that helps. Is it "common" for trusted sellers to touch up watches they receive?

13 January 2017, 08:40 PM	#8
Vinny 1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Real Name: Paul Location: Guernsey Watch: Datejust 11 Posts: 96	Polish them good and hard, You can not wear off metal with hand polishing.

14 January 2017, 03:41 AM	#22
Hodog16 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Jason Location: NC Watch: RG Olive DD40 Posts: 1,711	Yup I imagine most preowned watches are polished in some way. Just ask the seller, they will tell you the status.

14 January 2017, 05:33 AM	#27
daveo5 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Las Vegas NV Watch: 14060M COSC Posts: 1,329	When it comes to polishing, go to the best. Rolex knows which model and bracelet get type needed.

14 January 2017, 05:44 AM	#28
treblarefils "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: ILLST8 Posts: 209	Nothing wrong with that polish job in that picture. It just appears it has oil from handling or polishing debris in the brushing. If you have ever used a polish on metal of any sort you know its kind of greasy in a way and it will stick to the brushing. It just needs a good soap and water cleaning.

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