ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
30 October 2020, 11:14 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Rolex Datejust to polish or not...
Hi,
I bought my first Rolex a month ago and I am super happy with it. Unfortunatly it has been polished a couple of times and the case lost it's sharp edges. Now im thinking about getting it polished to get it in to shape a bit more. The polisher told me he could get it more in to shape without making the lugs any thinner. The big question is to polish or not to polish? If done well I think its going to add more value. What do you guys think? Thanks! |
30 October 2020, 11:33 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,419
|
You would really need to trust the polisher to not make it any thinner. However it would look nice properly cleaned up with crisper lines.
__________________
- Rolex Explorer - 214270 - Tudor Black Bay - 79230B - Tudor Chronograph - 79270P - Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv. - Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype |
30 October 2020, 11:38 PM | #3 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,789
|
I'd leave it alone. Maybe have the tops of the lugs rebrushed if you feel the need to jazz it up a little, but I think the lugs are already so thin I wouldn't recommend risking them getting even thinner. Any amount of polish will remove more metal, despite what your watchmaker says.
And in terms of increasing value, not sure I'd worry about that aspect on this Datejust. As cool as vintage DJs are, there are few that reach big money anyway. |
30 October 2020, 11:49 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Mitch
Location: UAE
Watch: Big Ben
Posts: 2,451
|
It has been polished a few time and lugs are rounded.
I’d leave it alone, although if you find a good guy who can restore the top of the lugs finish...I’d fancy that!
__________________
IG: @watch_idiot_savant |
31 October 2020, 12:03 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Thanks! I think by rebrushing it will look sharper already because of more contrast between the side and top right?
|
31 October 2020, 12:19 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,192
|
Does RSC offer to replace the mid case if the watch has been over-polished, or will they only replace it if there is significant damage? Just wondering if that could ever be an option if a watch has been over-polished past the point of no return.
|
31 October 2020, 02:03 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Isn't is possible to only flatten the top of the lug a bit? that way the lines could get a little sharper without making the lug optically thinner...
|
31 October 2020, 05:27 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: michigan
Posts: 2,286
|
Yes but it usually leaves a flat spot on the lugs where there previously would be rounding which is equally if not more irritating
|
31 October 2020, 05:45 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Ok. Do you guys think by rebrushing it the edges wil look a bit sharper?
|
31 October 2020, 05:58 AM | #10 | |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,039
|
Quote:
First, a flat brushing finish across the top will lesson the look of rounded edges, if that is what you want. Second, a small chamfer across the edge where the polish and the brush finish meet will "square" everything up. It's up to you. Over time all edges and squares break down.
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
|
31 October 2020, 06:05 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Thank you very much! That’s helpfull, have you seen chamfers on datejusts?
|
31 October 2020, 06:28 AM | #12 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,789
|
Quote:
Here's my former DJ (5 mil. serial) with what I'm fairly confident is/was an unpolished case. If the OP just had the tops of the lugs re-brushed, I bet it would be a big improvement to the overall look of the case. |
|
31 October 2020, 06:32 AM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Beautiful! I think the chamfer for my datejust would be a bit bigger because of the edges being so round. Brushing the top is the best option I guess.
|
7 November 2020, 01:56 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Hi Guys,
Here's a little update. I had it touched up by my watchmaker. Brushed on the top of the lugs and polished the jubilee. Really happy with the outcome. Thaks for all your advice. |
7 November 2020, 09:35 AM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2020
Real Name: Luke
Location: San Francisco
Watch: 1972 ref. 1601
Posts: 126
|
Dude! Your watch looks EPIC with the work you had done. Good call and enjoy tf out of it! A DJ was my first and I love it.
|
7 November 2020, 10:53 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,344
|
Awesome. Love the vintage feel of that worn-in Jubilee bracelet.
|
7 November 2020, 10:55 AM | #17 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,344
|
Quote:
|
|
7 November 2020, 07:41 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
Thanks! No I didn't sell it. The thin lugs annoy me a bit but for now i'm going to enjoy it. It looks so good! Here's a wrist shot!
|
7 November 2020, 10:11 PM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,344
|
|
7 November 2020, 10:37 PM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Mitch
Location: UAE
Watch: Big Ben
Posts: 2,451
|
It came out good, I like it!
While the lugs are on the thin side, at least they have the right finish!
__________________
IG: @watch_idiot_savant |
8 November 2020, 12:10 AM | #21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,789
|
Thanks, and sadly, yes, I did sell it, but to a buddy, so I’ll get to see it again. It’s actually a 1603. I had a 1600 bezel that I used to swap on it occasionally to mix up the look. I would also swap the crystal for a domed look, but I think a classic DJ looks better with a cyclops.
|
8 November 2020, 08:33 AM | #22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,344
|
Quote:
|
|
8 November 2020, 01:16 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 115
|
Great thread!
I’m in the same boat with my DJ, it’s from 69 so it’s old. The condition is understandable but since it’s my first Rolex I’m attached. Thinking of sending it off to mike at Rolliworks to have him bring the case back to Rolex speck, even if that means laser welding. And yes I’m aware that’ll take away from its value Thoughts? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
8 November 2020, 10:11 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 19
|
I would not worrie about the value too much. If done well why would it increase in value? I’ve seen really good examples. On the other hand, if it really bugs you, why don’t you sell it and use the money you would spend on the welding and buy one in better condition?
|
8 November 2020, 10:53 PM | #25 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 115
|
Quote:
I’ve also thought about selling it but given that it’s my first Rolex I’m attached to it , it’s also a complete kit which would be hard to replace for the price I paid. I talked to mike and he said the tips are where the welding will probably take place, but that a simple polish would fix it right up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
8 November 2020, 11:23 PM | #26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Real Name: Pete
Location: Toronto, Canada
Watch: 1016.
Posts: 687
|
I had LAWW laser-weld my 5513 (beater bought off Jacek yonks ago, WGS and service bezel so calm down vicar) and it went from zero to hero, well worth the cost IMO, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But IDC about originality in my non-rare watches, I buy mine to wear and will replace/restore as necessary, as long as everything's authentic and by-Rolex-standards correct.
LAWW or Rolliworks can bring that case back to new condition. Or at least, close enough for guys like us who don't examine cases with eddy current arrays etc. Noting that the Rolex museum won't be banging on your door begging for your DJ in future - it's a nice watch but not rare or unusual - I'd consider getting it done. Good luck! |
8 November 2020, 11:42 PM | #27 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 115
|
Quote:
That’s kinda what I was thinking too. Although, LAWW said they wouldn’t do it and therefore didn’t even give me a quote. Rolliworks gladly gave me a quote so I’ll probably stick with them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
9 November 2020, 03:23 AM | #28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Mitch
Location: UAE
Watch: Big Ben
Posts: 2,451
|
Why not source a new case?
__________________
IG: @watch_idiot_savant |
9 November 2020, 04:13 AM | #29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 115
|
|
9 November 2020, 04:54 AM | #30 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Mitch
Location: UAE
Watch: Big Ben
Posts: 2,451
|
Quote:
And to be honest, papers are nice to have but what its really important is the condition of the watch. If you want to improve the case you have 2 options: laser welding or a new case. I would much prefer a new case, maybe try get one via RSC which would be documented....
__________________
IG: @watch_idiot_savant |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.