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Hiflyin20 · 22 June 2018, 01:54 AM

Hi guys. Just curious how often you guys get your stainless models polished. I bought my SD43 to wear everyday. No matter how careful you are it picks up scratches. I know gold and other PM are a lot softer and shouldn’t be polished often. Is once a year for a stainless model too much?

gooter · 22 June 2018, 01:55 AM

never (maybe at service)

Urosfan · 22 June 2018, 01:56 AM

For me never, unless it was so beat up that I couldn’t stand to look at it

Bigblu10 · 22 June 2018, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

Hi guys. Just curious how often you guys get your stainless models polished. I bought my SD43 to wear everyday. No matter how careful you are it picks up scratches. I know gold and other PM are a lot softer and shouldn’t be polished often. Is once a year for a stainless model too much?

Yes! In time you will ruin the edges of the watch. Only should be re-finished at service time 5-10 years whichever time frame you choose. Scratches are just part of the game, if you choose to wear it. I wear gold mostly and you would be surprised, it wears almost as well as SS. The PCL's are the part that show the most fine scratches.

Rolex85 · 22 June 2018, 02:01 AM

I wouldn't worry about the scratches so much. The first few are always the hardest as they just "stick out" to you and also the watch is still new so they bother you more. Once it settles in and you pick up more scratches they actually become quite nice and the watch is now "yours" and has its own "fingerprints" that make it unique to you and your life. These are watches. meant to be used. They aren't paintings being hung on a wall to forever be admired but untouched. these are "moving art" let it age my buddy let it age!

max.wells · 22 June 2018, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolex85

I wouldn't worry about the scratches so much. The first few are always the hardest as they just "stick out" to you and also the watch is still new so they bother you more. Once it settles in and you pick up more scratches they actually become quite nice and the watch is now "yours" and has its own "fingerprints" that make it unique to you and your life. These are watches. meant to be used. They aren't paintings being hung on a wall to forever be admired but untouched. these are "moving art" let it age my buddy let it age!

Moving art. I love it!

Max Wells
Orlando, FL

Rolex85 · 22 June 2018, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max.wells

Moving art. I love it!

Max Wells
Orlando, FL

904VT · 22 June 2018, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

Hi guys. Just curious how often you guys get your stainless models polished. I bought my SD43 to wear everyday. No matter how careful you are it picks up scratches. I know gold and other PM are a lot softer and shouldn’t be polished often. Is once a year for a stainless model too much?

Once a year is way too much. You'll destroy the lines of your watch or end up with SD43 that looks like a 5 digit!

With the dive watches you have no need to worry much about upkeep. The brushed surfaces pick up small scratches, but the longer you wear, the more those scratches fade by "re-brushing" themselves from abrasion. Gashes are different though, but I wouldn't consider them normal wear and tear.

kingSubTT · 22 June 2018, 02:13 AM

What about capecod? Is that considered polishing?

Quicksilver · 22 June 2018, 02:15 AM

Every service, so about 5 to 6 years. But I will only ever allow Rolex to do the polishing.

joli160 · 22 June 2018, 02:18 AM

Yes, way too much.
When your watch stops working correctly it may be time for a service. That's the only time you should have it polished imo.
No amateurs, only via the official RSC.

Bigblu10 · 22 June 2018, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingSubTT

What about capecod? Is that considered polishing?

Yes, and it is not for Rolex brushed finish. Only mirror polished surface, but once you start chasing every scratch, you are heading down the "slippery slope"

Hiflyin20 · 22 June 2018, 02:30 AM

Got it! Thanks guys! Yeah the first few scratches hurt, lol

J!m · 22 June 2018, 03:19 AM

Just as general information:

I have seen some watches polished by some RSCs that were really quite bad.

For a vintage piece in particular, I would only allow polishing by a specialist- ABC watchworks comes to mind, and I believe LA watch works (a spin-off I believe) also do the work with the necessary care and attention needed.

Just throwing that out there as there were a few "RSC only" comments. And I'm sure this does not apply to all centers either, so PLEASE research before you send a watch to be polished- by anyone!

gt0279a · 22 June 2018, 03:48 AM

I think it also depends on the reference.

You could probably polish a 116610 Sub ten times and the lugs would still be fat.

Cp827 · 22 June 2018, 04:00 AM

Never for me

faz · 22 June 2018, 04:13 AM

Som will say never. But for me, a slight polish is good as part of maintenance, when the watch goes to RSC or your favorite maintenance shop, every 5-7 years or so.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

beshannon · 22 June 2018, 04:21 AM

Never

chronoman · 22 June 2018, 04:51 AM

Rolex's stainless steel alloy is severely hard. What passes for a scratch to me, look extremely fine, and truly hard for me to see. What I call a gash are too deep to buff out so there's nothing I can do about them, so no polishing for me. When I do wipe off the schmutz, I use a soft cotton cloth. Just like the sapphire crystal, the case is hard material.

m j b · 22 June 2018, 05:18 AM

The OCD scratch-retentive crowd on this forum would have you believe that if you look at a Rolex bracelet too intently, it will round-off the edges and the watch is ruined.

I say, it's your watch, polish it as much as you want. Preferably do it yourself with a capecod and just be reasonable about it, don't sit there for 30 minutes with your body weight pressing down.

And of course, tape off the brushed portions - you don't want to polish those. Or the crystal.

I've found great results by just using a good cleaner, like Varaet and/or a subsonic bath (bracelet only). It doesn't get rid of scratches, but the watch looks so much better that you don't notice them so much.

SearChart · 22 June 2018, 06:01 AM

Polishing a watch is only allowed during a complete service. I follow the Rolex way (or I'll lose my job

)

SearChart · 22 June 2018, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

Got it! Thanks guys! Yeah the first few scratches hurt, lol

Depends on the scratch

I got the first scratch on my new OP34 while putting on my parachute, I like that memory/scratch.

(During training, I didn't wear it during the free fall)

SubMarine · 22 June 2018, 06:23 AM

If you polish your watch enough, it will vanish into thin air. Then, you won't have a watch anymore! Before it vanishes, it will turn "bubbly" and lose its lines.

Jason71 · 22 June 2018, 06:30 AM

Read my signature

Nikrnic · 22 June 2018, 12:51 PM

I can see going very lightly on PCLs once in a great while but I'd be afraid to polish my stainless, I definitely wouldn't want it to get shiney.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Jacky88_99 · 22 June 2018, 12:59 PM

never for me but wifes pasha yes

sensui · 22 June 2018, 01:00 PM

Never.

CHOSEN1 · 22 June 2018, 01:38 PM

Not for me

22 June 2018, 01:54 AM	#1
Hiflyin20 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: South Florida Posts: 18	Polishing Hi guys. Just curious how often you guys get your stainless models polished. I bought my SD43 to wear everyday. No matter how careful you are it picks up scratches. I know gold and other PM are a lot softer and shouldn’t be polished often. Is once a year for a stainless model too much?

22 June 2018, 02:13 AM	#9
kingSubTT "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA Watch: SmurfDaytonaBLNR Posts: 682	What about capecod? Is that considered polishing? __________________ White Daytona 116520, Sub 116619LB, GMT II BLNR

22 June 2018, 02:15 AM	#10
Quicksilver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: David Location: London+Guangzhou Watch: ing watches Posts: 2,603	Every service, so about 5 to 6 years. But I will only ever allow Rolex to do the polishing. __________________ Rolex Sea Dweller 116600, GMT Master II 16710 (Pepsi) and 116710 BLNR, Daytona 116500LN, Submariner 14060M.

22 June 2018, 02:18 AM	#11
joli160 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,342	Yes, way too much. When your watch stops working correctly it may be time for a service. That's the only time you should have it polished imo. No amateurs, only via the official RSC. __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

22 June 2018, 03:48 AM	#15
gt0279a "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: Georgia Watch: All of them Posts: 569	I think it also depends on the reference. You could probably polish a 116610 Sub ten times and the lugs would still be fat. __________________ Current: Rolex Daytona 116500 \| Rolex Submariner 116610 \| Zenith El Primero 03.2150.400/69 Past: Rolex Sea Dweller 126600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 116600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 16600 \| Rolex Submariner 16610 \| Rolex Submariner 1680

22 June 2018, 01:55 AM	#2
gooter "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 157	never (maybe at service)

22 June 2018, 01:56 AM	#3
Urosfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Watch: Me now Posts: 19,184	For me never, unless it was so beat up that I couldn’t stand to look at it

22 June 2018, 02:01 AM	#5
Rolex85 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 602	I wouldn't worry about the scratches so much. The first few are always the hardest as they just "stick out" to you and also the watch is still new so they bother you more. Once it settles in and you pick up more scratches they actually become quite nice and the watch is now "yours" and has its own "fingerprints" that make it unique to you and your life. These are watches. meant to be used. They aren't paintings being hung on a wall to forever be admired but untouched. these are "moving art" let it age my buddy let it age!

22 June 2018, 02:30 AM	#13
Hiflyin20 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: South Florida Posts: 18	Got it! Thanks guys! Yeah the first few scratches hurt, lol

22 June 2018, 03:19 AM	#14
J!m "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Jim Location: Connecticut Watch: this! Hold my beer Posts: 2,813	Just as general information: I have seen some watches polished by some RSCs that were really quite bad. For a vintage piece in particular, I would only allow polishing by a specialist- ABC watchworks comes to mind, and I believe LA watch works (a spin-off I believe) also do the work with the necessary care and attention needed. Just throwing that out there as there were a few "RSC only" comments. And I'm sure this does not apply to all centers either, so PLEASE research before you send a watch to be polished- by anyone!

22 June 2018, 04:00 AM	#16
Cp827 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Chicago Posts: 210	Never for me

22 June 2018, 04:13 AM	#17
faz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Real Name: Faz Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: like'em all Posts: 4,655	Som will say never. But for me, a slight polish is good as part of maintenance, when the watch goes to RSC or your favorite maintenance shop, every 5-7 years or so. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ -Faz Instagram @fazmoto

22 June 2018, 04:21 AM	#18
beshannon "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Brian Location: Northern Virginia Watch: One of Not Many Posts: 17,895	Never __________________ Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, Glashutte PanoInverse, Glashutte SeaQ Panorama Date, Omega Aqua Terra 150, Omega CK 859, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonwatch, Glashutte Senator Exellence, Rolex 116710 GMT Master II BLNR, Breitling Superocean Steelfish, JLC Atmos Transparent

22 June 2018, 04:51 AM	#19
chronoman "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest, U.S.A. Watch: 116520 & 3570.50 Posts: 255	Rolex's stainless steel alloy is severely hard. What passes for a scratch to me, look extremely fine, and truly hard for me to see. What I call a gash are too deep to buff out so there's nothing I can do about them, so no polishing for me. When I do wipe off the schmutz, I use a soft cotton cloth. Just like the sapphire crystal, the case is hard material.

22 June 2018, 05:18 AM	#20
m j b "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Michael Location: RTP, NC, USA Watch: ♕& Ω Posts: 5,090	The OCD scratch-retentive crowd on this forum would have you believe that if you look at a Rolex bracelet too intently, it will round-off the edges and the watch is ruined. I say, it's your watch, polish it as much as you want. Preferably do it yourself with a capecod and just be reasonable about it, don't sit there for 30 minutes with your body weight pressing down. And of course, tape off the brushed portions - you don't want to polish those. Or the crystal. I've found great results by just using a good cleaner, like Varaet and/or a subsonic bath (bracelet only). It doesn't get rid of scratches, but the watch looks so much better that you don't notice them so much. __________________ Enjoy life - it has an expiration date. Disclaimer: Please note that the avatar is not an accurate representation of how I look. The camera adds 10 pounds...

22 June 2018, 06:23 AM	#23
SubMarine Banned Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Douglas Location: London, UK & USA Watch: Submariner 16610 Posts: 723	If you polish your watch enough, it will vanish into thin air. Then, you won't have a watch anymore! Before it vanishes, it will turn "bubbly" and lose its lines.

22 June 2018, 06:30 AM	#24
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	Read my signature __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

22 June 2018, 12:51 PM	#25
Nikrnic "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: Louis Nick Ric Location: Michigan, USA Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs, Posts: 10,158	I can see going very lightly on PCLs once in a great while but I'd be afraid to polish my stainless, I definitely wouldn't want it to get shiney. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

22 June 2018, 12:59 PM	#26
Jacky88_99 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Taiwan KHH Watch: 114270 Posts: 82	never for me but wifes pasha yes

22 June 2018, 01:00 PM	#27
sensui 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,356	Never.

22 June 2018, 01:38 PM	#28
CHOSEN1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: space Posts: 510	Not for me

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