Polishing A Nautilus

[fsprow]

I would certainly trust Patek to do the laser welding correctly, but I have seen some poor jobs by others, where the replacement material is not a perfect match for the original.

[quiksilv3r]

Originally Posted by gqmagic

Where are the pictures of these scratches? You couldn’t have had the watch that long.

I haven’t had it for long, picked it up preowned from my dealer. The watch is a 5726a-001 dated 2012 which was loved and worn by the former owner. I’ll post some photos soon, when I figure out to compress them on my iPad:D

[azizu]

Originally Posted by gqmagic

They don’t do any fillings, laser or otherwise.

I was talking about Geneva, i only send my watches there

[DavidSB]

A bit off topic but can an Aquanaut bezel be replaced or is it part of the case?
Thanks

[quiksilv3r]

Update: I decided on not sending the watch for service as Patek has told my AD that it would take at least 9 months just for the service, and could take another 3 months for the polishing due to the pandemic. Will consider once the timelines are better. Thanks for the advice y’all!

[quiksilv3r]

Update: My AD did some magic with Patek Service Centre after my last post and sent it in for service and light valet. I just got it back am really happy with the results.

I’ll post photos in the next post


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[quiksilv3r]

Update: My AD did some magic with Patek Service Centre after my last post and sent it in for service and light valet. I just got it back am really happy with the results. See the before and after pic in the next posts


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[quiksilv3r]

Apologies to admins if this a repost. My new posts don’t seem to go through on this thread.

Update: My AD worked out some magic and got my watch set to Patek service Centre in HK for a service and valet. Just got it back and it was a great experience. Really happy with the result. Pls see the before and after pics in the next post. Thanks y’all!


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[quiksilv3r]

Before:






After:






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[Humble michael]

Perfect as I would expect - only from Patek. I can’t imagine sending a piece to PP for service and not having them polish- makes it as brand new! Just my experience and opinion, james in San Antonio Tx :-)

[sxdcfv911]

Polish away if you want. It’s your watch, you don’t need anyone’s permission if approval but if you want it- I’m giving you both. I personally like my watch pristine.


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[l_chissle]

I think as long as they can restore it to the original look, polishing is definitely a good option

[bob101]

I wouldn’t polish the bezel as is never the same and too thin looking. Perhaps a slight valet from Patek and Patek only.
When polished too much, the outer polished edge is also too shiny and rounded, loses original shape. Easy to spot as many used Nautilus for sale are all over polished.

Maybe I’m too fussy but if the watch is well worn or too many dings on bezel I’d just request Patek replace the bezel at service. It will cost around 3K including service (I know because I’ve requested it done before) so probably best to do after got some wearing out of it.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by bob101

I wouldn’t polish the bezel as is never the same and too thin looking. Perhaps a slight valet from Patek and Patek only.
When polished too much, the outer polished edge is also too shiny and rounded, loses original shape. Easy to spot as many used Nautilus for sale are all over polished.

Maybe I’m too fussy but if the watch is well worn or too many dings on bezel I’d just request Patek replace the bezel at service. It will cost around 3K including service (I know because I’ve requested it done before) so probably best to do after got some wearing out of it.

Agree.

Many Nautilus bezels that have been polished exhibit an enlarged angled (polished) surface at cost of a narrower brushed top section (even if not polished round completely).

[Humble michael]

The problem with polished bezels has occurred by people other than PP doing the polishing.

[bob101]

Originally Posted by james272

The problem with polished bezels has occurred by people other than PP doing the polishing.

Not necessarily. I’ve had polishes from Patek I wasn’t happy with. Generally once it’s been polished / valet once don’t bother next time, just get bezel replaced if too damaged after that or just leave it as it is.

[m3tek44]

Originally Posted by quiksilv3r

Before:






After:






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When you sent the watch to be service is polishing part of the service? If not, do you recall how much they charge additional fee?

[soundserious]

Never. Ever.

If scratches bother you then either learn to appreciate them or sell the watch. Most savvy buyers will avoid watches polished in any way, especially Aquanaut and Nautilus.

An honest watch is always preferable to a polished one, regardless of if Patek themselves did the work or not.

[Xerxes77]

Picture before it’s how year passed…. Every scratch have a story….. when you polish your watch it’s like you erase all history…..
Of course we want our watch to look perfect …… how good are be if we can polished our years too….

[quiksilv3r]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

When you sent the watch to be service is polishing part of the service? If not, do you recall how much they charge additional fee?

Yes, light valet is part of the service. In total I spent around USD 1500


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[mrmoto88]

Worked a treat. 5990 back from PP UK after service(losing time at four years) and full case/ bracelet polish-looks like new. Took 4 months….


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[mrmoto88]

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[quiksilv3r]

Originally Posted by mrmoto88

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Looks incredible. Congrats!


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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by herts9

most of these, i like the before pictures way more than the after

[mrmoto88]

Originally Posted by quiksilv3r

Looks incredible. Congrats!


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Thanks,
Really like a new one again!


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[cascavel]

It's funny how everyone wants their watches to look new. Even the vintage guys want their watches to look new. In the Vintage Rolex Forum, here, half the stories (half of the ones worth reading, anyway) are about old watches that vintage watch lovers bought and sent away to be made to look new again; nicely polished, bevels cut on the lugs, crown guards fattened up, bracelet stretch eliminated. They look like new watches with patinaed dials, hands and, most importantly, bezel inserts.
Nowearman syndrome.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by herts9

most of these, i like the before pictures way more than the after

Another vote for this.