How big of an issue is polishing?

[dannyboy2233]

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of purchasing a "like-new" Patek 5035-P annual calendar. I asked the woman I've been communicating with whether or not the watch has been polished, and she said "the watch has been polished slightly. All the edges are still crisp. Most watches have been polished. That only makes a difference when looking to buy a vintage piece."

Is she right? Or would it be best to hold off until I can find a piece that hasn't been polished? For what it's worth, the watch appears to be in great condition and its edges do look crisp.

The watch also comes with a two-day no-questions-asked return period, so if I do end up purchasing it, I'll have two days to assess. What should I look out for in particular when it comes to polishing? Thanks in advance,

Danny

[Heff]

I wouldn’t buy a polished piece. There are some here that would. It’s personal preference really.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lordofrolex]

Its a personal preference. Also its hard to prove if it has ever been polished or not. Its only determined by the edges. If the polishing was done by Rolex and done very well 10 years from now you wouldn't known if it was polished.

With that being said unless you buy it new. You'll never truly know.

[SL BRABUS]

If it been polished by Patek Philippe Service Center during service then I would not have any problem....

[gummy]

If any polishing has been done I would want to know who did the work...

If anyone other that Patek...I’d pass.

Same for AP.

[Pimpsy]

In most cases (no pun intended...) a light polish done by PP wouldn't trouble me at all. I'm sure I'll have the desk rash scrubbed off both the bracelet and the case when my 5712 is eventually serviced.

In fact, in the "real world" I think most would prefer to buy a perfect looking recently serviced and polished piece than a serviced but not polished equivalent.

[kneedeep]

Originally Posted by gummy

If any polishing has been done I would want to know who did the work...

If anyone other that Patek...I’d pass.

Same for AP.

This

[watchtabs]

It is a big deal. You should RUN away from such a snake of a sales-person. That is absolutely not true. Also PP will not fix your watch if anyone else touched it.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by watchtabs

It is a big deal. You should RUN away from such a snake of a sales-person. That is absolutely not true. Also PP will not fix your watch if anyone else touched it.

I can't tell if you are joking or serious? Seems a little over-the-top.

[watchtabs]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I can't tell if you are joking or serious? Seems a little over-the-top.

I'm dead serious. Buying a watch from someone who claims "its ok, because most watches are polished" is asking for trouble. Why would you buy a 35k watch from a person like this? Imagine if I was trying to sell you my 'ding'd up car "Well, most cars have dings, its no big deal".

If you're asking about PP? PP will not fix a botched polishing by a 3rd party. There's a recent thread here about a badly polished 5164 that won't get touched by PP.

[gringtito514]

I see ppls concerns about buying polished vs not polished but is it possible to even tell by looking at a timepiece and determine if it has been polished?

[Pimpsy]

I think it should be considered that a salesperson's definition of "polished" may not be the same as that of a watchmaker or WIS.

[GB-man]

Get some pictures and post them here. A polish is not unusual on a pre owned 5035 in my opinion. If it’s truly light and done well I wouldn’t be concerned.

If your watch wasn’t bought new by you then you just can’t say it’s unpolished.

[guffyboy92]

To echo the above sentiments, I'd pass on it if it was polished by a third party. While it may be hard to tell at initial glance, if someone other than Patek polished it, even lightly, it can imo completely ruin the watch. One of the things people buy a Patek for is the high level of finishing; work done by a third party compromises that and a lot of the times upon close scrutiny it becomes extremely apparent where the polishing was done. And yes, to reiterate, Patek will not repair a polish job, so you'll essentially be stuck with an unfixable problem. I'd take my money somewhere else if I were you, OP.

[Chiboy]

As a service to this board, I will buy your lightly polished Pateks for 5% of MSRP, assuming they pass my not-too-rigorous inspection.

[timepiecegentleman]

Appreciate the feed. I've been curious about this topic as well.

[dannyboy2233]

Thanks for the responses, all. It looks like there's no way to trace this polishing to a Patek dealer (since the watch's service history is incomplete), meaning it could have been done by a third party. I don't think I have an experienced enough eye to tell in person whether or not "too much" polishing has been done. It's starting to seem like I should avoid this piece, right? It fits all my other criteria, which is a bit of a shame, but I'd rather be patient than end up with a subpar watch...

[jag32]

Only polishing by Patek can be trusted.

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

As a service to this board, I will buy your lightly polished Pateks for 5% of MSRP, assuming they pass my not-too-rigorous inspection.

Can i sell you my 5524G? 5% discount...done

[glimmer]

Would a polishing by an authorized service center/dealer (not Geneva or New York) be something considered acceptable?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

As a service to this board, I will buy your lightly polished Pateks for 5% of MSRP, assuming they pass my not-too-rigorous inspection.

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Can i sell you my 5524G? 5% discount...done

That post was a while ago, it I’ll still give you 5% of MSRP, even for your 5524. That’s under $3k, but I’ll round it up because I’m a good guy.

[jag32]

Originally Posted by glimmer

Would a polishing by an authorized service center/dealer (not Geneva or New York) be something considered acceptable?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, because anything an authorized service center does is in accordance with Patek's guidelines and standard s.

[gpwhite]

There is a reason why watchmakers, including Patek, AP, Journe, etc., ask if you want case polishing at time of service.

Any polishing after new removes metal from the original case condition. Whether that matters to you is a personal decision.

[jrs146]

I wouldn’t have a problem with a well done light polish.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

That post was a while ago, it I’ll still give you 5% of MSRP, even for your 5524. That’s under $3k, but I’ll round it up because I’m a good guy.

Lol i didnt see time stamp.. the new guy bumping old threads is throwing me off.

. If u gave me 3k less, id be taking advantage of u and since im also a good guy i cant do that to u. The 2ndary mkt is at 35k-37k. Im going to move thisninto the 5212. Lol

[Tools]

There is nothing wrong with a properly refinished watch; the recent fad of "polish is a deal-breaker for me" is just nuts.

A butchered or deformed case is a completely different animal.