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Old 22 February 2018, 01:17 AM   #1
zimv20ca
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to polish or not polish

my new-to-me 16570 Polar Explorer II is at RSC right now. looks like it's never been serviced, and i have a quote for some normal service (movement servicing, new crown, timing, etc.) that includes polishing.

i've put the question to them about the engraving (not mine), if that can be removed with a polish or if a new caseback is needed.

they're awaiting my approval. my inclination is to not do the polish, but i wanted to get some opinions.

i'm linking offsite to hi-res photos. i hope these provide enough clarity, and sorry for my poor photography skills.

back

bracelet

9 side

crown side

front
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:19 AM   #2
stratguy
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I would leave it as is. I prefer a well-loved look. It's going to get like that again anyway.

Good luck.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:20 AM   #3
herts9
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don't polish. signs of wear = signs of love
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:22 AM   #4
c41006
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I'd probably not have it polished. If it is going to be your daily watch it's just going to get scratched up again anyways. That being said, a polish won't hurt if the scratches bother you.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:23 AM   #5
997
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the only thing I wouldn't polish is a watch I wore myself for several years, and a vintage watch that's 20+ years old. Other than that, POLISH.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:25 AM   #6
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I’d give it the full treatment.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:25 AM   #7
zimv20ca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 997 View Post
the only thing I wouldn't polish is a watch I wore myself for several years, and a vintage watch that's 20+ years old. Other than that, POLISH.
there is some appeal to me of getting the watch back like new, as if i had bought it new in 2008. and then, as you indicate, putting on my own wear.

i suppose i'm a little gunshy about them doing a bad job / overpolishing.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:28 AM   #8
Andrejb
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Replace the case back. Leave unpolished


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Old 22 February 2018, 01:30 AM   #9
997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zimv20ca View Post
there is some appeal to me of getting the watch back like new, as if i had bought it new in 2008. and then, as you indicate, putting on my own wear.

i suppose i'm a little gunshy about them doing a bad job / overpolishing.
yeah man, put your own mark on the watch.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:33 AM   #10
cop414
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I’d have them remove the engraving and do a LIGHT polish, then make your own patina.
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:45 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cop414 View Post
I’d have them remove the engraving and do a LIGHT polish, then make your own patina.
I concur with this, get rid of the engraving and lightly polish, build your own patina/wabi and enjoy
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:47 AM   #12
DoctorA
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I personally wouldn’t polish! I like the character of the watch!
I don’t like plastic surgery and don’t like polishing lol
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Old 22 February 2018, 01:58 AM   #13
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Polish or replace case back only... leave all else.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:01 AM   #14
Mrcoach32
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If I were to purchase a used vehicle, I'd have it pristinely cleaned. I don't want the previous owners fingerprints on the door handle and I don't want the outlines of his/her dirty shoes on the mats.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:05 AM   #15
Colin10101
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I’d have them remove the engraving and do a LIGHT polish, then make your own patina.
Yup, I’d do this as well.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:11 AM   #16
zimv20ca
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If I were to purchase a used vehicle, I'd have it pristinely cleaned. I don't want the previous owners fingerprints on the door handle and I don't want the outlines of his/her dirty shoes on the mats.
i was assuming a complete case and bracelet cleaning would be done regardless, but i don't know for certain. does anyone know?
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:19 AM   #17
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Oh, my. Sigh. Was your watch worn by General Patton in Africa and every scar on the case and bracelet is a war wound...? Was it worn by Einstein and each scratch on the case and bracelet is the result of the watch banging against the blackboard in his Princeton classroom...? Is your watch a special watch built for Sigmund Freud as a gift from Hans Wildorf...? Maybe not, in which case keeping the watch looking like crap is not worthwhile.

Rolex manufactures some million watches a year, every year for the past many years. So, unless the watch has a special sentimental value for you you might as well keep it looking sharp. Maybe if you bought the watch new and then the watch lived with you thru years of adventure in the Sahara or Iraq or Angola or rough times serving time in a Soviet prison, then you might want to keep the scratches and dings as memories of something or another.

Otherwise just have the watch serviced properly, have it cleaned up and enjoy the darn thing. I assure you that keeping that watch looking worn and tired won't make you a millionaire. I promise.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:22 AM   #18
Juantxo
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Originally Posted by zimv20ca View Post
i was assuming a complete case and bracelet cleaning would be done regardless, but i don't know for certain. does anyone know?
They will do it unless you tell them, erroneously, not to. Just approve the full job and you'll be happy when the watch is returned looking like new.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:33 AM   #19
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I personally like my watches looking good. I would go with a very light polish there are lots that are totally against it and I do respect that but what it really boils down to is what do you want.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:36 AM   #20
rudegar
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Do the whole rehab = New watch. Then make your own trail. All the scratches will be yours!
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:40 AM   #21
abozz
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Donn't polish and replace the caseback is my opinion.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:42 AM   #22
duc888
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I would only replace the case back for the rest leave it as it is.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:42 AM   #23
JM0127
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Light to no polish if it were me. I like character. Each ding or scratch makes it mine and carries a story.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:48 AM   #24
Sky21
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The watch is at an RSC according to your OP, have them do the full service, including the polish, and the watch will come back to you looking brand new. Then wear the heck out of it without a worry and put your own marks on it. The watch will be scuffed up in no time anyway and won't look "polished" anymore. The obsession with not touching any used watches is a bit off-putting, especially with a mass produced watch from 2008.
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Old 22 February 2018, 02:50 AM   #25
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People keep saying to do a light polish. I’ve never had a watch serviced at the RSC. Do they give an option as to what level of polish they will preform. I assumed it was a binary yes/no to the polish service, or can you specifically request light/heavy levels of polishing?


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Old 22 February 2018, 03:41 AM   #26
DaveDhc
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Agree with others, remove the engraving. I consider it damage to the watch and would have the damage repaired.
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Old 22 February 2018, 03:43 AM   #27
Etschell
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id polish off that monogram caseback. otherwise dont touch it.
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Old 22 February 2018, 03:44 AM   #28
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id polish off that monogram caseback. otherwise dont touch it.
I’m with you Eliot
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Old 22 February 2018, 03:54 AM   #29
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I have a 16710 Coke and my dads 1972 Datejust in with them right now. This is now 4 watches I have put through them since owning them and I have had each polished.
My view is this is now YOUR new watch and you don’t want to be wearing the marks left by previous owners. Let them do the complimentary case refurb...they use jigs to do it so it’s done as best as it can ever be done.
It will come back like the day it was new out the box all those years ago, ready for you and it to start making your own history together.
You’ll be pleased you had it done, trust me.
There’s too much emphasis on the pros and cons of polishing amongst us WIS types.
If it were a 1960’s sub or the like in fairly good but used condition I would maybe be more hesitant, as a watch that vintage would be better off being left alone.
I’d also get the case back replaced with a new one. No point is polishing out the old one, just have them replace with new.
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Old 22 February 2018, 04:25 AM   #30
Colin10101
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People keep saying to do a light polish. I’ve never had a watch serviced at the RSC. Do they give an option as to what level of polish they will preform. I assumed it was a binary yes/no to the polish service, or can you specifically request light/heavy levels of polishing?


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I’m not sure if it made a difference, but I specified a light polishing and my RSC service quote I was given specifically states under case refinishing “LIGHT polish”. Came back looking pretty darn sharp.

But who knows what really goes on under the hood.
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