Patek Phillipe Nautilus 3800/1J Vintage 1984 - To Polish or Not To Polish?

[Shawnhak]

Hi TRF members,

Wanted to get some input on whether or not I should polish my Patek Phillipe Nautilus 3800/1J with gilt dial. It’s a 1984 model that is in pretty good condition but has a few scratches on the bezel and bracelet that could use a tune up. I’m thinking of sending it in to Patek for authorized service in NYC and polishing it when I send it in for service.

Goal is to wear the timepiece and enjoy it for a year or so and potentially sell down the road, so I want to ensure being able to enjoy the timepiece while also preserving its value as a vintage work of art. Feedback or opinions are always appreciated, thank you!

Would also love to know if anyone has seen similar models and has an idea of the current market value of this model in its current condition as is.

Cheers,
Shawn

[Chewbacca]

Certainly polish it if PP will do it. That watch needs to look fine or it just looks off.

[sxdcfv911]

I would polish it.

[aa909]

I would polish it, but just know that you're literally losing a layer of gold. IMO I would give them clear directions to do a minimal polish to return it to 90% condition, otherwise they're going to go relatively deep to completely remove some of those scratches on the bezel.

[Rebel]

I don't polish my Submariner but, I would polish that reference.

[Llamathurst]

I would say have them do a sympathetic polish and maintain the character.

[Daytonaman799]

I would clean it up

[jfriedkin]

My thought is that if you plan on selling it in a year or two. DON'T polish it. Why take the chance that a buyer is against polishing. Wear it and put a few more scratches in it.

If you plan on keeping it, I would service and polish the watch.

However, being that this watch is 25years+ old it will go back to Geneva for service and service time may be longer.

[1William]

Great watch and I like the current way it looks. I typically would say have it cleaned up but for this reference and the age what is wrong with just leaving it alone? For the time and expense to get this done it would not work for me. If I owned this watch I don't know that it would be off my wrist much. Let us know what you decide.

[Shawnhak]

Verdict is in- having Patek do a light polish on the timepiece to preserve character while also buffing out some of the imperfections to restore the timepiece to its beauty!

[aa909]

Originally Posted by Shawnhak

Verdict is in- having Patek do a light polish on the timepiece to preserve character while also buffing out some of the imperfections to restore the timepiece to its beauty!

good choice, and post pics once it's back on your wrist.