Brushing a bracelet - Yes or no?

[stolpioni]

I have a GMT Master II with a polished bracelet. I want to brush it so that it looks like a Submariner bracelet. I called my nearest Rolex AD (only one within a three hour drive), and they told me:

1."If you brush it you cannot re-polish it, and it will hurt resale value"
2. "Therefore we don't do this anymore"

So does anyone have experience doing this? Where did you do it, how much did it cost, and have you ever re-polished your bracelet again? How did it look?

[jamesthejeweller]

When you say polished. Do you mean centre link polished or whole bracelet polished?

I never change or modify outside of OEM, you'll hurt the value if you do.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[904VT]

Some people do it, but I'm not a fan. For me with Rolex it's original or nothing

[stolpioni]

Originally Posted by jamesthejeweller

When you say polished. Do you mean centre link polished or whole bracelet polished?

I never change or modify outside of OEM, you'll hurt the value if you do.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

Yes, center link is currently polished (like how it is when you buy it new). Either way, I am not planning to sell the watch so I am fine with hurting the resale value a bit. Wonder about the best place to get it done though. Do all official Rolex ADs refuse to modify Rolex watches? Perhaps it is a rule from Rolex itself.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by 904vt

some people do it, but i'm not a fan. For me with rolex it's original or nothing

+1

[ZeGerman11]

A handful of people have done it, both on the LN and the various colored bezels. I don’t have any pictures at hand, but a Google search of “GMT LN brushed bracelet” or something to that effect should get you results.

There are a couple places I’ve heard of from this forum that will do it for you - LA Watch Works and Rollieworks (sp?) I believe. I’m sure you can find someone local to you as well.

I don’t see why it wouldn’t be reversible. I bet the place you’d send it to brush it could polish back for you if you choose, as could any of the Rolex service centers.

[jamesthejeweller]

Originally Posted by stolpioni

Yes, center link is currently polished (like how it is when you buy it new). Either way, I am not planning to sell the watch so I am fine with hurting the resale value a bit. Wonder about the best place to get it done though. Do all official Rolex ADs refuse to modify Rolex watches? Perhaps it is a rule from Rolex itself.

There are people who can do Rolex mods, I know a few in Switzerland, but because it's something I'd never do, I cannot send any recommendations. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Tools]

A lot of folks do not like the polished links and brush them. I don't know of a single instance where that has caused a drop in the market price.

As to re-polishing again, it's no different than refinishing any bracelet that has been used or scuffed over time.

It's your watch, wear it, and finish it, the way that you want to wear and enjoy it. I wouldn't wear a watch I didn't like, or because somebody on an Internet Forum might be offended.

[Nikrnic]

Your title is more or less askiing for opinions which im sure most will disagree in having this done. Ive thought about this myself but i dont think i could bring myself to it, Id most likely try to source another braceltet, although it can be done professionally with good results as per other forum members with experience in doing so and also having it reversed. Sorry though i cant help you with any leads or reviews but there out there.

[jaroush]

Polished center links don't belong on a sports watch and they look sketchy after a year or two of regular wear. Get it brushed. The GMT's look much better this way.

[Tangier11]

I think it looks like hell personally. I like the watches the way Rolex makes them....

[904VT]

Originally Posted by jaroush

Polished center links don't belong on a sports watch and they look sketchy after a year or two of regular wear. Get it brushed. The GMT's look much better this way.

I don’t know, mine still look brand new. So long as you have a little bit of wrist awareness I really find no durability increase. It’s tougher to see some hairlines on brushed bracelets but beyond they stick out like a sore thumb too

[TswaneNguni]

Rolex Original

[Bigblu10]

I love the PCL's on my gold Sub. It distinguishes it from the SS models and brushing the bracelet would be dumb.

[Likestheshiny]

I like the PCLs personally, although I understand why some don't.

Refinishing to a brushed surface is relatively easy. Re-polishing it back to the original finish is also relatively easy. Do it if you like. It won't hurt the value of your watch any more than a regular polishing would (which, for the bracelet, is negligible).

[sillo]

You can absolutely re-polish the center links after they've been brushed. That's a load of BS, brushing them doesn't somehow change the psychical properties of stainless steel.

It's also easily reversible so it won't hurt value anymore then refinishing any bracelet.

It's your watch, if it's something you really want to do just send it. I personally like it, it's how all the steel GMTs came before.

[rolexRV]

I used to hate polished center links but now I love them

crazy hobby

[beshannon]

I like the PCL, you should do what you want

[KingKitega]

Buy a brushed bracelet if you can. I got mine via my AD.. 97200 with glidelock too.

[Boaters]

It is your watch do what makes you happy

[stolpioni]

Yes I am going to brush it. Just have to see if I can find a location that is willing to do it. Worst case I'll have to go to one of the smaller corner watch shops that sell Seiko etc. It'll probably not turn out perfectly but should be better than if I attempted it myself.

Buying a brushed bracelet is tough. I only found one for sale on Chrono24 currently and it's 3000 dollars.

KingKitega: Very nice! It looks so much better than with the original polished link.

[pickettt]

I’ve got 3+ years on all of my PCLs and they all look good. Somehow, all of the scratches are on the brushed links

[joli160]

Originally Posted by stolpioni

Yes I am going to brush it. Just have to see if I can find a location that is willing to do it. Worst case I'll have to go to one of the smaller corner watch shops that sell Seiko etc. It'll probably not turn out perfectly but should be better than if I attempted it myself.

Buying a brushed bracelet is tough. I only found one for sale on Chrono24 currently and it's 3000 dollars.

KingKitega: Very nice! It looks so much better than with the original polished link.

You should really give it a try yourself. It's very easy and I believe there is even a post on TRF how to refinish a bracelet.

The AD is talking BS, it's easily reversible though that is something I would only trust a pro to do.

Personally I prefer the PCL's but make it your own

[dba]

Originally Posted by stolpioni

I have a GMT Master II with a polished bracelet. I want to brush it so that it looks like a Submariner bracelet. I called my nearest Rolex AD (only one within a three hour drive), and they told me:

1."If you brush it you cannot re-polish it, and it will hurt resale value"
2. "Therefore we don't do this anymore"

So does anyone have experience doing this? Where did you do it, how much did it cost, and have you ever re-polished your bracelet again? How did it look?

1. They're wrong.
2. My AD did it on the spot, for free and told me it's very reversable. Sorry for the crappy photos. When I flipped it, the new owner wanted it left as I had it.

[Jona]

I am strongly considering brushing the PCL's on my MG. I would NOT do so on my YG Sub nor on the TT SkyD.

If I did the MG bracelet I'd want to have the whole case done as well as the bezel, IOW all brushed. I'll wait til first service and find a SC to do it, won't be RSC of course.

[Grapenut]

Originally Posted by KingKitega

Buy a brushed bracelet if you can. I got mine via my AD.. 97200 with glidelock too.

This route all the way. I didn't go through an AD, but was able to source a new 97200 w/ glidelock for my BLNR. Perfect look and the PCL band is in the box if needed.

[replicator]

Whatever you like, but I personally would not. I’d rather sell it and grab a submariner if I wanted a brushed bracelet.

[snyde]

Originally Posted by Grapenut

This route all the way. I didn't go through an AD, but was able to source a new 97200 w/ glidelock for my BLNR. Perfect look and the PCL band is in the box if needed.

The glidelock is a game changer. I use it almost every day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[E16520kimm]

I personally would not touch it. If you really want a brushed bracelet, buy a second one and swap it out. Then you have two options and can always resell someday as original

[bigfatpauli]

Your AD doesn't know what they are talking about.


1."If you brush it you cannot re-polish it, and it will hurt resale value"

BS. Yes, you can re-polish it. Does it hurt re-sale vale? Maybe, but so does getting it serviced by Rolex and they do their normal polishing.


2. "Therefore we don't do this anymore"

What they mean is, "I'm new here and I've never heard of this but I've formed an opinion already. Also, my friend Dunning–Kruger is here."