To Refinish or Not Refinish a Rare Sub?

[AdamW]

My friend just inherited a very low production "Swiss" only 14060 Sub from his dad. It's pretty beat up and likely has never been serviced.

He is going to send it to Rolex to have it serviced, but due to the scarcity of this model, (only made from 1998-1999), would you also have Rolex replace the bezel and insert and refinish the watch? Would that affect the value? or is it better to just have it serviced so it runs well and leave the blemishes? I don't know if he would ever sell it but just wondering which would best allow the watch to retain its value?

He hasn't sent the watch in yet for an estimate but I'm guessing it would take a fair amount to get it looking good.

Thoughts? Unfortunately this is the only photo he sent me.

[BobtheViking]

If it was me, I'd send it to someone for a movement service and nothing else.

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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by BobtheViking

If it was me, I'd send it to someone for a movement service and nothing else.

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I agree.

[Tools]

There is nothing wrong with a proper refinish during service and it never affects value, regardless of some naysayers views, excepting some extremely rare collector pieces.

A badly refinished job would affect initial value until corrected.

A 14060 is not a particularly rare watch and it is a stretch to say that the last runs with the Swiss dial would be any more valuable than any other. All Rolex models used Swiss dials during the changeover era.

Refinishing has become more personal in recent years with some vowing that they would never do such a thing. If it were mine I would have an RSC service done, along with a refinish, and begin it's life with me in the best condition possible, while keeping the original dial and hands.

If the bracelet is excessively loose I would send it to one of the very well respected bracelet shops such as Rolliworks in California.

[joli160]

I’d keep the bezel, dial and hands and ask for a sympathetic polish

[Nodzex]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I agree.

Agree

[Laszlo]

Please keep this in it’s original condition and only get the movement serviced.

[HHIslander]

If you want to keep it all original, don’t ever send to an RSC. Try someone local.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by AdamW

My friend just inherited a very low production "Swiss" only 14060 Sub from his dad. It's pretty beat up and likely has never been serviced.

He is going to send it to Rolex to have it serviced, but due to the scarcity of this model, (only made from 1998-1999), would you also have Rolex replace the bezel and insert and refinish the watch? Would that affect the value? or is it better to just have it serviced so it runs well and leave the blemishes? I don't know if he would ever sell it but just wondering which would best allow the watch to retain its value?

He hasn't sent the watch in yet for an estimate but I'm guessing it would take a fair amount to get it looking good.

Thoughts? Unfortunately this is the only photo he sent me.

Its hardly a rare watch and much like any 14060 or 14060M, and Swiss only dials ran FROM 1998 into 2000, it was only to mark the change from Tritium to luminover lume dials. And a good service and polish by the RSC would not effect its value whether Swiss, or Swiss Made bottom of dial, as for the bezel insert its just a around £40 insert like on most all 14060 or 14060M subs.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by BobtheViking

If it was me, I'd send it to someone for a movement service and nothing else.

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I agree and would do just the same. A tritium dial 14060 is not rare by any means. The run I think was from 1990 up to 1996 or 1998. If it has never been serviced it probably has never been polished. Don’t replace the bezel, just service the movement. Don’t have Rolex service this watch because they will polish it and replace anything else they consider that has to be replaced regardless of your wishes. Don’t send neo vintage or vintage Rolex to Rolex for service.

[Oryz]

Originally Posted by Tools

A 14060 is not a particularly rare watch and it is a stretch to say that the last runs with the Swiss dial would be any more valuable than any other. All Rolex models used Swiss dials during the changeover era.

This was my initial thought; they're less common than T25 or Swiss Made dials, but I never got the impression that they were auction-house rare.

If it's a gift from a father, I don't think I'd ever really look to sell anyways unless in extreme financial straits. Thus, I think however he wants it is fine - I can see arguments for both getting it refinished to craft your own patina-story, or just adding to the one his father started for him.

[GradyPhilpott]

There are good reasons on both sides of the issue, but it is my personal belief that one should just let a watch age gracefully.

When I buy a used watch from a dealer, I know that it has been refinished, but that doesn't bother me, because that's just the way it goes.

But for my own watches, I prefer to not get them refinished and if I inherited a family member's watch, I would feel the same way.

It's a personal decision and it has nothing to do with value, as once a watch is mine, it's mine. It's not going anywhere, anyway.

[Mendota]

Nice sub. Not rare, so clean it up and enjoy it. They will make it look like a brand new watch, fully serviced and under fresh new warranty.

We all fall into this trap, myself included, of thinking these are somehow magical and mystical relics and that it will somehow offend the gods if we touch these things.

I am going to pass along my watches to my boys after I depart. It is just a hunk of metal. The memories we had together and photographs, shared experiences, are what matter.

Clean it up and have it start over fresh for the second generation to use and enjoy and put their own scratches and life experiences on it.

[MasonDixon]

Originally Posted by AdamW

would you also have Rolex replace the bezel and insert and refinish the watch?

Nope, not on a watch that I inherited from my father. A good cleaning and full movement service is all that I would do.

[stockae92]

don't refinish. thats your watch, your scratches, your history. :)

the only time I want to take a scratch out is its on the crystal and distract from reading the time.

but I am not the kind of guy that cries over a scratch. YMMV :)

[Meyrin]

I would first just have the watch cleaned (not polished for the moment!) and the movement serviced...cleaned, oiled, new gaskets and seals, regulation and pressure testing. Your friend can then later decide whether or not to spend the extra money and have the watch finished and returned to a pristine, like-new condition.

[Anthony808]

Personal preference. I'd service the movement only because I like my watches looking like I wear them. I'm less concerned about resale value.

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by BobtheViking

If it was me, I'd send it to someone for a movement service and nothing else.

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Good advice. I’d use a reputable Watchmaker with a Rolex parts account only and be very specific.

[GolfJunkie]

Just a strange thread IMO. Does value retention really matter?

If my dad gave me his watch it would be priceless. Under no circumstances would i ever sell it and the value of the watch would be my last thought.

[BobtheViking]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

Just a strange thread IMO. Does value retention really matter?

If my dad gave me his watch it would be priceless. Under no circumstances would i ever sell it and the value of the watch would be my last thought.

My response had nothing to do with resale value.

Every part of that watch belonged to his father, why replace or polish that away?

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[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by BobtheViking

My response had nothing to do with resale value.

Every part of that watch belonged to his father, why replace or polish that away?

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My comments had nothing to do with your post

[jerseydan31]

Why is everyone affected by the stigma of the resale value? Polishing a Sub is nothing short of magnificent! Please look at LAWW or Rolliworks and the stuff that they've done...some of their pieces look better than factory!

Now if this piece is going to be used a selling fodder (or just to know that in the future it will be as good as cash) then by all means please do not polish. Leave it as is....

[gerry100]

wash and wear

[BobtheViking]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

My comments had nothing to do with your post

Fair enough, you just assume when someone questions it you have resale value in mind. Like you say, it's not going anywhere

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[rogerrabbit168]

Originally Posted by gerry100

wash and wear

agree

[SS Oyster]

I would get it fully service, asking them to keep all original parts. This path ensures every part of the bracelet is disassembled, cleaned, sympathetically polished or brushed and reassembled with new pins, screws and loctite to ensure it is the best it can be.

I would get it done at RSC, where I have had excellent experience with numerous watches, because of certainty of fully to spec, warranty and provenance. Plus, you know everything is done with the latest Rolex approved lubricants and parts if required for repair (not for appearance).

This will cost you a bit more than local watchmaker, but IMO well worth it. Plus you will get a nice Rolex green faux-suede service pouch for your watch.


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[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by jerseydan31

Why is everyone affected by the stigma of the resale value? Polishing a Sub is nothing short of magnificent! Please look at LAWW or Rolliworks and the stuff that they've done...some of their pieces look better than factory!

Now if this piece is going to be used a selling fodder (or just to know that in the future it will be as good as cash) then by all means please do not polish. Leave it as is....

If that’s the case, then why do grey dealers polish all but the uber-rare watches?


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[TimeLord2]

Had the same question. Responses pretty much in line with what you see here. Either way the best advice is to have it sympathetically (keep the bits that are important, dial, hands, and insert) serviced and perhaps the crystal replaced, enjoy it for a while and think about the rest over time. Good luck to your friend on that beauty.

[m j b]

We don't know the circumstances of the person that inherited the watch, if it came from a loved one or a distant relative (OK, you get the house, she get the cars and what's-his-name can have my old watch that doesn't run any more) and the financial position of the recipient. Most of us here can afford to keep a watch forever. He may need to make a house payment and get the kid some braces.

Just sayin'.

Realistically, if the new owner is primarily concerned with retaining future value, then he should just tuck it away somewhere and not risk wearing it.

[karleone]

Just a service and please make in writing that you don’t want the watch to be polished.