ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
10 July 2018, 06:32 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 32
|
How big of an issue is polishing?
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 |
10 July 2018, 06:40 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Germany
Watch: Speedmaster Pro
Posts: 1,023
|
I wouldn’t buy a polished piece. There are some here that would. It’s personal preference really.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
10 July 2018, 06:45 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Brandon
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Watch: Yes Please!
Posts: 6,690
|
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.
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN Panerai PAM 359 Audemars Piguet RO 15300OR Follow me on Instagram: @b_jakobovich |
10 July 2018, 06:59 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: U.S.A
Watch: Only Rolex & Patek
Posts: 3,345
|
If it been polished by Patek Philippe Service Center during service then I would not have any problem....
__________________
Rolex Forum: Mainly Rolex & Benz pictures...!!! Click the above link to join the club...^^^... "SL BRABUS" aka BenzWorld Undercover Moderator |
10 July 2018, 10:17 AM | #5 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Thomas
Location: Midwest USA
Watch: AP PP Rolex
Posts: 3,301
|
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. |
10 July 2018, 11:16 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Jersey
Watch: PP 5712/1A
Posts: 518
|
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. |
10 July 2018, 11:57 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Not 2 far from u
Posts: 3,457
|
This
__________________
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018 |
10 July 2018, 01:08 PM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Real Name: Charlie
Location: Miami
Posts: 1,534
|
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 have all the grails I could ever want, but the hunt will always continue . |
10 July 2018, 01:12 PM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Chicago
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 5,385
|
I can't tell if you are joking or serious? Seems a little over-the-top.
__________________
Datejust w/black Tapestry dial (1985) / Daytona (2016) |
10 July 2018, 01:16 PM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Real Name: Charlie
Location: Miami
Posts: 1,534
|
Quote:
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.
__________________
I have all the grails I could ever want, but the hunt will always continue . |
|
10 July 2018, 01:16 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2018
Real Name: Kevin
Location: San Francisco
Watch: None Yet....
Posts: 47
|
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?
|
10 July 2018, 01:34 PM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Jersey
Watch: PP 5712/1A
Posts: 518
|
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.
|
10 July 2018, 01:43 PM | #13 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: USA
Watch: addiction issues
Posts: 36,864
|
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.
__________________
|
10 July 2018, 05:56 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Real Name: Enrique
Location: MNL x FFM x YVR
Watch: All that I own
Posts: 81
|
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.
|
10 July 2018, 11:48 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Chicago
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 5,385
|
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.
__________________
Datejust w/black Tapestry dial (1985) / Daytona (2016) |
11 July 2018, 12:12 AM | #16 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2017
Real Name: Anthony Farrer
Location: Dallas, TX
Watch: 116613LN Bluesy
Posts: 1,994
|
Appreciate the feed. I've been curious about this topic as well.
|
11 July 2018, 07:17 AM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 32
|
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...
|
23 March 2019, 11:28 AM | #18 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: DC
Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN
Posts: 1,015
|
Only polishing by Patek can be trusted.
|
23 March 2019, 11:37 AM | #19 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2018
Real Name: Jonathan
Location: USA
Watch: P-01
Posts: 11,772
|
|
23 March 2019, 12:01 PM | #20 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Here, everywhere
Posts: 1,244
|
Would a polishing by an authorized service center/dealer (not Geneva or New York) be something considered acceptable?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
23 March 2019, 01:44 PM | #21 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Chicago
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 5,385
|
Quote:
__________________
Datejust w/black Tapestry dial (1985) / Daytona (2016) |
|
23 March 2019, 01:51 PM | #22 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: DC
Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN
Posts: 1,015
|
Yes, because anything an authorized service center does is in accordance with Patek's guidelines and standard s.
|
23 March 2019, 02:20 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: California
Watch: Patek, Journe
Posts: 37
|
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. |
23 March 2019, 02:51 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Real Name: Josh
Location: Lost in time
Watch: Me Nae Nae
Posts: 9,821
|
I wouldn’t have a problem with a well done light polish.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
"Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter |
23 March 2019, 09:36 PM | #25 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2018
Real Name: Jonathan
Location: USA
Watch: P-01
Posts: 11,772
|
Quote:
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 |
|
24 March 2019, 03:53 AM | #26 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,049
|
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.
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.