To polish or not polish during service?

[Mystro]

All do respect, if your showing a polishing done by an unskilled butcher on an old watch, that’s not exactly the same as a light RSC polishing touch up on a modern Rolex.
If you let your watch get beat all to hell before you do it’s first polishing, they would have to remove significantly more metal as opposed to light touch ups along the way of ownership and then a light buffing the time of routine servicing. A skilled detailer can produce a watch with crisp factory lines providing your watch wasn’t used as a hockey puck pre buffing. I guess what I am saying is there is no free ride if you don’t keep up your watch reasonably good over your ownership.

[Jerrocop]

I'd lean towards polishing it. I think that 2-3 polishes in the life of a steel sports watch is okay. Of course you hope that it'll be done right, there is a bit of risk involved even with RSC.

[illiguy]

No polish!

[KatGirl]

I’d have a light polish, if needed, when serviced. I’m pretty sure RSC knows what they’re doing.

Kat


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[Carbon Brakes]

I would polish.

[Fanofsteel]

I would not. I spent the first 6 months of new watch ownership agonizing over every little scratch (even on the clasp, which is insane). Glad that phase is over. Also, the worn look finally appeals to my eyes. If you’re gonna actually wear the watch, IMO it makes no sense to polish it, knowing the scratches will return in no time, and you risk a subpar polishing job (rounded edges, etc).

[Stan Cooper]

I'm in the "have them polished when you send them in for service" camp; it's part of the RSC service. They always look like new when I get them back.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by tmaynard

My BLNR is approaching 9 years of age, and has accumulated a plethora of dings and scratches over time that I've more or less come to accept (with a couple that irk me).

The rotor started making noise a couple days ago, so it is being sent for service (first time).

What's the current consensus on polishing?

On one hand, would be nice to have the watch in like-new condition. On the other, I can't "undo" the polishing job (if i come to regret the decision) and may lose the "original shape" of the case. I'd also get to go through the anxiety of re-scratching the watch all over again.

Heavily leaning towards not polishing, but would like to hear from others who had to make the same decision.

The watch has sentimental meaning and will eventually be passed down to my kids.

Do it. Modern Rolex polishes are not noticeable at all. Plus it’s part of the experience of a time-based Rolex service. No brainer in my eyes.

[PenDelicate]

The No-Polishers seem more passionate than the Polishers.

So if you just want to piss people off (and who doesn't?) ... polish that baby and post pics!

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

The No-Polishers seem more passionate than the Polishers.

So if you just want to piss people off (and who doesn't?) ... polish that baby and post pics!

I don't think any is going to care.

Polish it. Oh look it's scratched again. Pointless.

[Calatrava r]

On second thought, I would have a very lightly marked watch polished to restore the original luster. The polish would be very light and really improve the overall appearance of the watch with virtually no metal loss. On a well-worn heavily marked watch, I would leave it alone as the marks will just come back and many times, they cannot go down deep enough remove all the marks thoroughly, so the watch just looks weird at that point.

[nighthawk77]

I've not had to send mine back for service yet, but would likely be in the camp of polish.

[kieselguhr]

I would polish. Especially a modern reference. The RSC polishing service are NOT the same as the guys around the corner with a jool tool. As evidenced by the spectacular work shown by Bass our resident Rolex certified watchmaker. Also all of Peter’s watches, some of which are older than most of you that have undergone several RSC service with a polish and still look brand new. Despite being worn through 100s of dives in between…

[JDPNY2023]

Don't polish, leave be IMO.

[Phil8352]

Can we set up a poll on this?

[mikea]

I’m in the okay to polish camp, specifically on modern references


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[173rdabn]

Make it look new. Use an RSC, they do great work.

[Wrathchild]

Flip a coin…..

[SBR]

Does anyone have a general idea what the cost of laser welding is? Hairline scratches don't bother me but I have a couple of dings on the lugs that I would like to have repaired if it makes sense.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by SBR

Does anyone have a general idea what the cost of laser welding is? Hairline scratches don't bother me but I have a couple of dings on the lugs that I would like to have repaired if it makes sense.

I've heard $300 when done with a service.

[tmaynard]

Reading strong cases being made for both sides doesn't make this any easier!

What I'm hearing from some, and hadn't considered, was that delaying a first polish could increase the odds of a polish in the future (when there are even more scratches and dings) having a more significant impact on case shape, edges, etc.

I don't have deep attachment to the current imperfections of my watch, but when I go through the pains of accumulating new ones, it will be as though the first 9 years of ownership were erased ... Talking about overthinking it.

I had hoped RSC would be open to a light touch up on part of the clasp and case side, but the service was presented as "all or nothing".

[sierra11b]

Depends.

I normally opt no polish for all brushed watches. Beat to crap Milgauss GV (and any PCL) could use a tasteful polish imho.

[trout_thumper21]

I do bracelet polish only.

[Arid]

Always have mine polished during every other service

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Polishing is done by hand... which means you're at the behest of the polisher. No guarantees as to whether or not your watch will come back looking factory fresh or like hell. Sure, it'll be shiny and blemish-free, but will very likely lose the original presence and dimensionality of the case.

Up to you, but I don't polish any of my pieces. Treat them decently and there's no reason to be accumulating nasty dings.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

This seems like a fear unfounded in reality as seemingly everyone who has had the RSC polish their watch has been thrilled with the results…?

No, not happy at all with the state of the lugs on my 16030.

[SBR]

Originally Posted by EEpro

I've heard $300 when done with a service.

Thank you

[Sandwich]

Not a popular opinion but why not:
1. Apply a layer of high quality protective film that’s barely discernible.
2. Be more mindful when wearing it.

I travel across Asia, namely: Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan and what I’ve noticed is the proportionally higher number of people who have such film applications done on their watches.

It’s not 100% foolproof but it does lessen the amount of wear and tear you get from daily-ing it.

Over here in Singapore, a number of friends who have huge collections have some sort of film on their pieces.

A daily or weekly rinse is more than enough to keep the watch clean and the current generation of protection film that’s available for purchase in Singapore hold up pretty well and don’t peel at the edges or trap dirt as bad as it’s being made to seem online.

Here’s a picture of mine with film applied on both the case as well as every individual Jubilee link. It’s really not that bad.

[gr33n]

A filmed Rolex ? Never thought it would go that far
I prefer them nude, but to each their own Very nice model (and photo), by the way.

If I can add something :

1. If you do not polish it, you will perhaps regret one day ;
2. If you polish it, you will perhaps regret one day.... but it is not reversible

Ah ah. Rich world problems, we should be happy to have this discussion

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by gr33n

A filmed Rolex ? Never thought it would go that far
I prefer them nude, but to each their own Very nice model (and photo), by the way.

If I can add something :

1. If you do not polish it, you will perhaps regret one day ;
2. If you polish it, you will perhaps regret one day.... but it is not reversible

Ah ah. Rich world problems, we should be happy to have this discussion

Indeed