16710 Polished or Not

[baamvino]

Hi guys, could you guys help me if this 16710 has been polished or not.
The seller claimed that it has never been polished, but wanted to ask ya'll opinions to make sure.

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8622C2FD-35EE-4A8E-9CBD-4C53ED58102C-45203-0000109D548ECC8A.JPG

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1C0A4AF1-E63E-4329-B10D-102BC5DB6A29-45203-0000109D7789470C.JPG

[rushca01]

I would say it’s been lightly touched in the past, but not bad AT ALL. The lugs don’t appear to have the chamfers present, but the watch still looks good and the lugs have plenty of meat on them.

[Meyrin]

The chamfers seem to have gone, but the riffles on the bezel still look nice and "sharp". Maybe just lightly polished once...?

[baamvino]

I did some research on this and I've heard that some of the late 5 digit references have no chamfers on the lugs

[Boaters]

Looks great maybe a quick touch up not a deal breaker

[1665fan]

You need more side pics....

[lamkinpark]

It is lightly polished, and late 16710 model still a have slim chamfer along the edge

[Onequik135i]

More side pics needed. Keep in mind this is a No holes case in which chamfers are not as pronounced as the earlier models with holes on the sides of the cases.

[214270Explorer]

Polished or not, it is a very nice example

[Off Script]

Does anyone have an example that definitely has not been polished as a comparison.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by Off Script

Does anyone have an example that definitely has not been polished as a comparison.

https://www.sdwatches.com/product-ca...ter-ii/page/2/

[Off Script]

Originally Posted by rushca01

https://www.sdwatches.com/product-ca...ter-ii/page/2/

Thanks for the link. I was thinking more along the lines of a personally owned 5 digit GMT that you know for a fact has never been polished.

Originally Posted by lamkinpark

It is lightly polished, and late 16710 model still a have slim chamfer along the edge

Just to get a more clear picture of what the chamfers should look like.Thanks for the question OP, I'm curious about this too.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by Off Script

Thanks for the link. I was thinking more along the lines of a personally owned 5 digit GMT that you know for a fact has never been polished.
Just to get a more clear picture of what the chamfers should look like.Thanks for the question OP, I'm curious about this too.

This is new.... https://www.sdwatches.com/product/ro...186-nib-nos-2/

[Off Script]

Yes. Now I can definitely see the difference. Thank you.

[PJ843]

I can’t decide on how I feel about polished

[Freshtothetoes]

What’s the big deal about polishing it? Rookie I know

[Off Script]

Originally Posted by PJ843

I can’t decide on how I feel about polished

I can definitely see the difference, but I don't think it's a big deal really. I think whatever was done to that watch was done skillfully and tastefully. I know some collectors make a fuss over polished vs unpolished but I would just buy it, wear it and enjoy it. That's what I did.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

Polished or not, it is a very nice example

Agree

[watchaser]

I personally prefer my case crisp..:-)

[89Sem]

The main question is does it affect the wearability? Are you buying it to put in a museum?Odds are that with age it’s been polished, but so what? Still a Rolex, still a Pepsi, still a great looking watch. Keep in mind there is a difference between refinished by a skilled tech vs a hack job by a doofus with a polishing wheel.

Unless you have $35,000 to buy the NOS that’s been posted. Get this one an enjoy the heck out of it. I think it looks great.

[EEpro]

Take a really close look at the SEL center link. You can't fake a sharp center link and this plus the bezel teeth lead me to believe it has not seen a professional refinish with a wheel and if so, it was a very very light one. Looks really good.

[Tools]

Here is one of mine.. Never polished and you can see that the edges are a bit more crisp.

GMT II Stick by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

[TempoKing]

I have been wearing a Rolex for a little over 50 years
In the past I was called a market maker, a guru, the guy knows his Rolees etc etc

I had never bothered if my Rolex had chamfers, riffles, sharpness, Etc..
You are missing the bigger picture if you worry about a Rolex that has been polished or not
Let’s see now...
You are offered a great looking Daytona Manual wind with an exotic dial (Paul Newman)
for $25.000 ? ....and let’s assume you had the money to buy it....but you can clearly see
it has been Polished.....would you say NO thanks because of that ?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Freshtothetoes

What’s the big deal about polishing it? Rookie I know

Some folks don't want to lose their edges.... If done right, a refinishing maintains the geometry of a case, and any chamfers etc. Of course, the size of the case has to decrease...you cannot polish / brush without taking metal off.

That said, there are plenty of watches which have been so over polished that the lugs are thin, and uneven...or polished/shiny surfaces are brushed and vice versa.

[Andad]

Unpolished M.

[Recaro18]

My Z-Serial


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[Yess]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

I have been wearing a Rolex for a little over 50 years
In the past I was called a market maker, a guru, the guy knows his Rolees etc etc

Yeah? And you don't know that the rappers call them Rollies?

(This is in complete jest!)

[Onikage]

Chamfers look to be still there to me. Forget this polish madness.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Chamfers look to be still there to me. Forget this polish madness.

Asking if a watch has been polished is madness?

[meyers]

I'm no expert but would agree with others who have said that it looks lightly polished

Reference-wise, you've made an excellent choice