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Old 30 November 2021, 07:41 AM   #1
Fabi2000
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Bezel Polish - Big Deal?

Hi guys,

as you might have read before I am about to purchase a DJ 116233 with white stick dial and roulette date - exactly my "dream combination".

Bracelet is alright, case looks good to me and the price is in my opinion really good - especially taking into account that I didn't come across too many white stick dials. It doesn't come with box and papers, but I rather prefer to have "no box, no papers" and pay less as I want to actually wear it and not resell it any time soon.

The bezel has been polished, questions are

1) is it too bad for a 17 year old DJ?
2) should I bother if the price is good and I like the overall appearance (part. the combination in this price range)?

What are your opinions?

Help is as always much appreciated
Fabi
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:21 AM   #2
garyk
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Looks great from the photos
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:24 AM   #3
teager
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Not just the bezel, looks to me like the case and bracelet have also been polished too. I maybe wrong of course.
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:36 AM   #4
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Not just the bezel, looks to me like the case and bracelet have also been polished too. I maybe wrong of course.
I agree with this assessment. The whole thing looks like it's been refinished.

Whether that bothers the OP is up to him. My only input there is to make sure the price reflects the condition.
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:45 AM   #5
nollie85
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The problem when the bezel is polished on the fluted is that it loses all its sharp lines and edges.

Look how flat that bezel looks. You can get it laser cut to make it like factory but thats a hassle.

I can ALWAYS tell when a bezel has been polished. Its never as sharp as original.
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:46 AM   #6
kieselguhr
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That fluted bezel is rather blunt. I would personally wait for one in better condition.

A polished watch doesn’t bother me, a badly polished one however would bug me every time I look at the watch.
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Old 30 November 2021, 08:52 AM   #7
rmagoo57
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Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

Find the same watch for sale in NOS condition and make a comparison to this one. What is the asking price for NOS? How does that compare to yours? Plenty of 116233 for sale out there, no need to rush into a purchase. Happy hunting!
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Old 30 November 2021, 09:03 AM   #8
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You must answer your question, is the price is right and can you live with it?
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Old 30 November 2021, 09:56 AM   #9
sportsfan0704
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Definitely polished. Too much for your tolerance? Only you can say. One thing I’ll say is this: if it’s your dream watch and you’re already asking the polish question, you’ll never be able to unsee it.
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Old 30 November 2021, 10:23 AM   #10
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I would pass. The polished fluted bezel looks awful to my eyes.
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Old 30 November 2021, 10:48 AM   #11
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Have it serviced at the RSC Koln and buy a new bezel from them.
It will set you back a few thousands, but it will look new.

There is always a reason why you could buy this watch for a good price
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Old 30 November 2021, 10:55 AM   #12
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Polishing a fluted bezel is not "standard" practice is it?
Just replace?
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Old 30 November 2021, 11:32 AM   #13
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Quote:
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Polishing a fluted bezel is not "standard" practice is it?
Just replace?
Replacing the gold fluted bezel is gonna run a few thousands
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Old 30 November 2021, 01:13 PM   #14
nollie85
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Polishing a fluted bezel is not "standard" practice is it?
Just replace?
It is standard practice and some ppl can polish them awesome so the flutes are still sharp and crisp. I think LA Watch works does them perfectly and maybe Rolliworks.

Replacement of a bezel is going to cost 2k+, polishing of a bezel is going to cost $200 or less.
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Old 30 November 2021, 02:59 PM   #15
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I like the natural look.. but nothing wrong wiht a light polished every 5 years.
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Old 30 November 2021, 03:05 PM   #16
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It is an awfully polished bezel! And that is half of the watch appearance! If i were you and anyhow decide to make the purchase, would definitely change the bezel. It should be within the abilities of any AD. The faucets of bezel and their sparkling is as beautiful as hell! And now you do not have it!
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Old 30 November 2021, 03:10 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Have it serviced at the RSC Koln and buy a new bezel from them.
It will set you back a few thousands, but it will look new.

There is always a reason why you could buy this watch for a good price
Exactly

And since it comes without box and papers, I would further recommend you to get a service quote prior purchasing, provided that you'll be covering the expenses, if any. Seller should have NO problem with that. If he does, just move on. But to answer your question, the watch looks good enough and a service right now or later down the road will breathe new life in it.
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Old 1 December 2021, 01:28 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teager View Post
Not just the bezel, looks to me like the case and bracelet have also been polished too. I maybe wrong of course.
A simple fact if any watch of this age has been correctly serviced it would have been polished at least twice. And gold being a softer metal especially gold bezels with constant rubbing on cloths when worn regular they do wear.
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Old 1 December 2021, 01:56 AM   #19
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It has been polished and not in the best way... The bezel dents are not sharp at all and we can see from the lugs it has been repolished and it doesn't look factory polish. I would pass and find a better condition one.
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:05 AM   #20
Fabi2000
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Thank you guys for all the comments!

So opinions range from "walk away", through "go for it if the price is right (and maybe change bezel later)" to "it looks alright".

I have done quite a lot research over the last months, talking to dealers and checking online market places.

- white stick dials and roulette date seem to be a rare combination for 116233. At the moment at chrono24 and some dealers I've got on my short list that would be more than 1400 to 2400 EUR more (+ customs) for that very combination.

- similar priced watches with bezel in better condition that I could later change to roulette date and white dial (and also hands if the watch doesn't have luminous hands) cost between 400 and 800 EUR more: Add to that the price for dial, date disc and change and I would end up also about 1100 to 1500 EUR more. Plus the hassle finding the the right parts or the buying at retail prices.

- 116233's I found with roulette date where I would need to change only the dial would be with dial and installation also more than 1300 EUR more and then the bezel is still not perfect.

So what I am thinking about is the following:

Get this watch now for a fair price. Do a service once needed and get some minor things done if necessary. And one day (e.g. for a special occasion like a birthday) I'll treat myself with a brand new bezel. I would end up with about 500 to 1000 EUR more if I decided to actually change the bezel. In the meantime I can enjoy "my" combination and be happy that someone else bumped the watch and I got a reduced price instead of me (or my baby son) bumping a better and more expensive one at my cost.

Viable strategy or not a good idea?
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:10 AM   #21
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Pass.
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:23 AM   #22
kieselguhr
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Bezel Polish - Big Deal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabi2000 View Post
Thank you guys for all the comments!

So opinions range from "walk away", through "go for it if the price is right (and maybe change bezel later)" to "it looks alright".

I have done quite a lot research over the last months, talking to dealers and checking online market places.

- white stick dials and roulette date seem to be a rare combination for 116233. At the moment at chrono24 and some dealers I've got on my short list that would be more than 1400 to 2400 EUR more (+ customs) for that very combination.

- similar priced watches with bezel in better condition that I could later change to roulette date and white dial (and also hands if the watch doesn't have luminous hands) cost between 400 and 800 EUR more: Add to that the price for dial, date disc and change and I would end up also about 1100 to 1500 EUR more. Plus the hassle finding the the right parts or the buying at retail prices.

- 116233's I found with roulette date where I would need to change only the dial would be with dial and installation also more than 1300 EUR more and then the bezel is still not perfect.

So what I am thinking about is the following:

Get this watch now for a fair price. Do a service once needed and get some minor things done if necessary. And one day (e.g. for a special occasion like a birthday) I'll treat myself with a brand new bezel. I would end up with about 500 to 1000 EUR more if I decided to actually change the bezel. In the meantime I can enjoy "my" combination and be happy that someone else bumped the watch and I got a reduced price instead of me (or my baby son) bumping a better and more expensive one at my cost.

Viable strategy or not a good idea?

Sounds like you have strategized this thoroughly. You do not need anyone’s approval. Trust your decision making friend.

If the watch is what you want and it’s at an acceptable price point then it should be a no brainer.
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:40 AM   #23
karleone
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The bezel is full gold I think it will be substantially more than 500 bucks…
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:46 AM   #24
Fabi2000
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The bezel is full gold I think it will be substantially more than 500 bucks…
I was refering to as compared with buying now a better white dial one or a different combo and changing it. That would be 1100 to 1500 more. Compared to that a new bezel safes the 1100 but costs e.g. 2400 makes a difference of 1500.
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:49 AM   #25
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If your happy with the provenance and are going to enjoy rather than just invest then the next service can be topped up you like.
It's a watch on your wrist only you have to look at it.
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Old 1 December 2021, 05:54 AM   #26
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I prefer my bezels crisp.
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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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Old 1 December 2021, 06:15 AM   #27
Auto16610
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Hard pass.

Take your time. No box. No papers. Non crisp bezel. Need more red flags?
Also, take a picture holding the watch head with the bracelet extended. I bet we would see a lot of stretch. One more red flag.
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Old 1 December 2021, 06:50 AM   #28
Henrimontgomery
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Way too much polish.
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Old 1 December 2021, 07:04 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabi2000 View Post
. . .
So what I am thinking about is the following:

Get this watch now for a fair price. Do a service once needed and get some minor things done if necessary. And one day (e.g. for a special occasion like a birthday) I'll treat myself with a brand new bezel. I would end up with about 500 to 1000 EUR more if I decided to actually change the bezel. In the meantime I can enjoy "my" combination and be happy that someone else bumped the watch and I got a reduced price instead of me (or my baby son) bumping a better and more expensive one at my cost.

Viable strategy or not a good idea?
Sounds good.

It's a 20 year old watch, so expecting the bezel, or anything else, to be "crisp" is a very long shot.

It's been prepped to look good for sale, and it does that.
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Old 1 December 2021, 07:10 AM   #30
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I'd wear it...
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