Polish or leave alone?

[Glosstritium]

So I posted this on a earlier thread and now I need your humble opinion...

What you guys suggest? Send it to get its chamfers back or keep wearing it as is... Funny though after only 2 times this watch ever had a movement service in 35 years it would get a slight polish and before the internet days I never paid attention to chamfers just enjoyed as is... This model was not like the old 1680 with huge chamfers, these 16800 and newer had such a slight chamfer that was easy to polish away even if you breath on it lol..

If I do decide to put chamfers on I just would want to make the line on the side and brushed top, wouldn't want anything else polished... But then I feel like it takes away from the authenticity if I recut it or you guys think it won't and i should do it? Thanks...

Originally Posted by Glosstritium

Been with me and the family from day one 35 years ago, bought at a Rolex dealer in 1984 reference 16800 with the gloss dial... All original and movement serviced only twice at a family friend who is a watchmaker and never was sent to Rolex.. Serviced in 94 and again Sept 2018.. Running +.89 seconds a day...

Pic at the office...




Pic with original crystal with alot of corner chips and insert scuffed up from the bangs..




Pic swimming in the pool...

[faimag]

You talk about chamfers but nowhere in your pics can we see them in order to give you our opinion!!!

[Dan S]

This is going to be entirely a matter of you own personal taste.

[Hub6152]

Dong obsess with minor things. Leave well alone. Too many messed about with watches appearing everywhere lately. Nothing is original anymore!!

[swish77]

The watch has already been polished several times, so it wouldn't hurt to do a case restoration. If it were my watch, I would have no problem sending it to LAWW to have them try to "fix" the case.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by faimag

You talk about chamfers but nowhere in your pics can we see them in order to give you our opinion!!!

The first two pictures give a great angle showing where the chamfers are/were.

[BigBlue1]

Balls in your court. Personally I would just send it to LAWW get their opinion and go with that unless of course you know what you want.
They do a fantastic job and I trust their input.
I have already had a watch serviced by them and another currently being serviced at their spa.
Depends on what you want the watch to represent. Do you want it to talk or do you want it to pop?
Any who. Whatever you choose I agree.

[STEELINOX]

Restore "just" the chamfer and leave the lug decks alone.


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[Glosstritium]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Restore "just" the chamfer and leave the lug decks alone.


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Please explain what lug decks are just curious

[77T]

He is referring to the tops.

At 5’ it doesn’t matter. But if it’s bothering you go ahead and use RSC if you want factory spec’d work.


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[rmlovett1]

I’d leave and enjoy...

[Franks07]

Start with the reality that the vast majority of vintage Rolex have been polished at least once in their lifetime as a by-product of a servicing by Rolex or anyone else
The issue then becomes how invasive or incompetent the previous polishing(s) were and how much metal is left to possibly correct the previous work (I.e. restore chamfers).
To me it doesn’t make sense to just leave a previous poor polishing job as is anymore than say leaving a poorly executed hair styling as is if there is plenty of hair left to have corrective work done.
Each to their own of course on this highly controversial issue of polishing or not.
Pictured is my Submariner 5513 MK1 that had previously been poorly polished (likely only once) with the chamfers being lost BUT very thick lugs remaining. After consultation with Beau and Edvi at LAWW I decided to go with a correct polishing (not a “case recut”) to restore the original case geometry (chamfers) and am extremely happy with the outcome.



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[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Glosstritium

Please explain what lug decks are just curious

The top part of the lugs...


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[Tom1675]

I haven't read any responses and only read the headline and looked at one pic. Do not polish. I dont have anything against an expertly applied light polish but only wen necessary. I dont think you're there. Chamfers only at most.

[1665fan]

No polish

[Mrpupsi]

Originally Posted by Franks07

Start with the reality that the vast majority of vintage Rolex have been polished at least once in their lifetime as a by-product of a servicing by Rolex or anyone else
The issue then becomes how invasive or incompetent the previous polishing(s) were and how much metal is left to possibly correct the previous work (I.e. restore chamfers).
To me it doesn’t make sense to just leave a previous poor polishing job as is anymore than say leaving a poorly executed hair styling as is if there is plenty of hair left to have corrective work done.
Each to their own of course on this highly controversial issue of polishing or not.
Pictured is my Submariner 5513 MK1 that had previously been poorly polished (likely only once) with the chamfers being lost BUT very thick lugs remaining. After consultation with Beau and Edvi at LAWW I decided to go with a correct polishing (not a “case recut”) to restore the original case geometry (chamfers) and am extremely happy with the outcome.



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If you don’t mind me asking, what do LAWW charge for something like that?

[springer]

This is an individual choice. Contrary to all the "no polish" freaks around here and elsewhere, I can attest from my many years of collecting/selling that very few individuals like ratty old watch cases or even dials with ratty old hands.

What all the "no polish" freaks never tell you is the "no polish" watches in above average to excellent condition are watches that sell, which is what the collectors want. Not many of these "unpolished" for sale watches fit this definition of being in above average to excellent condition.

Unpolished watches in below average condition, especially the classics, don't sell well and don't bring too many smiles to anyone's lips. While some sellers offer them at premium prices, that price is rarely if ever attained during a sale.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a polished watch. Everyone wants a perfect watch, and if someone says they don't, they're only fooling themselves.

You can believe whomever you choose - but in the end, it's your decision and your watch.

One last comment. The proper terminology is, and should be, "refinishing" the case not polishing the case. Most cases when "polished" are returned to or close as possible to the original condition as when new i.e. refinished not polished.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by springer

This is an individual choice. Contrary to all the "no polish" freaks around here and elsewhere, I can attest from my many years of collecting/selling that very few individuals like ratty old watch cases or even dials with ratty old hands.

What all the "no polish" freaks never tell you is the "no polish" watches in above average to excellent condition are watches that sell, which is what the collectors want. Not many of these "unpolished" for sale watches fit this definition of being in above average to excellent condition.

Unpolished watches in below average condition, especially the classics, don't sell well and don't bring too many smiles to anyone's lips. while some sellers offer them at premium prices, that price is rarely if ever attained during a sale.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a polished watch. Everyone wants a perfect watch, and if someone says they don't, they're only fooling themselves.

You can believe whomever you choose - but in the end, it's your decision and your watch.

This is a great post! Along with the silliness the Rolex market has experienced over the last few years, has come this silliness regarding polishing and restoration. Most of the people discussing and advising against polishing are referring to beat up, non “investment grade” pieces.
I find many of the old watches which have been freshened up to be much more appealing to the eye than some of the neglected pieces which people are afraid to clean up.

[tkc324]

I would totally leave that alone. Doesn't look bad to me and still can see a very slight chamfer...

[stewester]

Entirely your decision. I don’t see an issue with giving an already-polished watch a better polish/refinish. Just make sure you use someone who really knows what they’re doing.

[roh123]

I’d rather spend that money getting an untouched piece with a case of your liking. Sell this and take your refinish money on top and I think you can find a perfect watch that you like.

I understand the will to have it fixed but in the end I think you would enjoy that perfect one much more than your fixed one. Money shouldn’t be much different on such a 16800. It is just a bit of extra work selling your old one and finding a new one. Great examples of this reference is not an impossible find.

Best of luck!

[116710er]

Originally Posted by Franks07

Start with the reality that the vast majority of vintage Rolex have been polished at least once in their lifetime as a by-product of a servicing by Rolex or anyone else
The issue then becomes how invasive or incompetent the previous polishing(s) were and how much metal is left to possibly correct the previous work (I.e. restore chamfers).
To me it doesn’t make sense to just leave a previous poor polishing job as is anymore than say leaving a poorly executed hair styling as is if there is plenty of hair left to have corrective work done.
Each to their own of course on this highly controversial issue of polishing or not.

Originally Posted by springer

This is an individual choice. Contrary to all the "no polish" freaks around here and elsewhere, I can attest from my many years of collecting/selling that very few individuals like ratty old watch cases or even dials with ratty old hands.

What all the "no polish" freaks never tell you is the "no polish" watches in above average to excellent condition are watches that sell, which is what the collectors want. Not many of these "unpolished" for sale watches fit this definition of being in above average to excellent condition.

Unpolished watches in below average condition, especially the classics, don't sell well and don't bring too many smiles to anyone's lips. While some sellers offer them at premium prices, that price is rarely if ever attained during a sale.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a polished watch. Everyone wants a perfect watch, and if someone says they don't, they're only fooling themselves.

You can believe whomever you choose - but in the end, it's your decision and your watch.

Some very good points here. I too see no reason to not polished a previously polished watch or an overly ratty one. I would definitely avoid any place that does heavy handed polishing but places like LAWW can do incredible polishing jobs (from light to full case angle correction). I think the "no polish evaaarrrrrrrr!" crowd is a little over the top.

[Glosstritium]

Originally Posted by roh123

I’d rather spend that money getting an untouched piece with a case of your liking. Sell this and take your refinish money on top and I think you can find a perfect watch that you like.

I understand the will to have it fixed but in the end I think you would enjoy that perfect one much more than your fixed one. Money shouldn’t be much different on such a 16800. It is just a bit of extra work selling your old one and finding a new one. Great examples of this reference is not an impossible find.

Best of luck!

Did you read my post its been 35 years since brand new with the family and I inherited it 25 years ago , you think I should still sell it and get another?

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Glosstritium

Did you read my post its been 35 years since brand new with the family and I inherited it 25 years ago , you think I should still sell it and get another?

No, keep it; and finding a "perfect example" is preposterous!

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by springer

This is an individual choice. Contrary to all the "no polish" freaks around here and elsewhere, I can attest from my many years of collecting/selling that very few individuals like ratty old watch cases or even dials with ratty old hands.

What all the "no polish" freaks never tell you is the "no polish" watches in above average to excellent condition are watches that sell, which is what the collectors want. Not many of these "unpolished" for sale watches fit this definition of being in above average to excellent condition.

Unpolished watches in below average condition, especially the classics, don't sell well and don't bring too many smiles to anyone's lips. While some sellers offer them at premium prices, that price is rarely if ever attained during a sale.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a polished watch. Everyone wants a perfect watch, and if someone says they don't, they're only fooling themselves.

You can believe whomever you choose - but in the end, it's your decision and your watch.

One last comment. The proper terminology is, and should be, "refinishing" the case not polishing the case. Most cases when "polished" are returned to or close as possible to the original condition as when new i.e. refinished not polished.

Touche JP .. That only makes perfect sense

[JoMills]

I would leave it as is and enjoy.