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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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Polishing... Before and after.
I know there is an anti-polishing sentiment out there at the moment, however, I would love to see some before and after RSC service/polish pictures.
I'm not really for or against. I understand both 'camps' (but probably for different reasons). I know there are exceptions to the rule, but do these watches come back from RSC like new, ie unable to tell it's been polished? Again, I am not in any camp I'm simply curious. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Real Name: Montemayor
Location: Madrid
Posts: 425
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Try google. You will get a better idea there than some random guy writing a few sentences.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...MygKegUIARD-AQ .
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You never actually own a Rolex. Eventually your son inherits your place on the waiting list. |
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Real Name: Montemayor
Location: Madrid
Posts: 425
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There are other stuff in youtube..
.
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You never actually own a Rolex. Eventually your son inherits your place on the waiting list. |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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Yeah, appreciate that, but I was hoping for more of a discussion/information on peoples' experiences...
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#5 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Real Name: Montemayor
Location: Madrid
Posts: 425
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Quote:
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You never actually own a Rolex. Eventually your son inherits your place on the waiting list. |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 832
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Leave it scratchy
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Real Name: Vetracer
Location: London
Watch: Daytona 116500LN
Posts: 583
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If you're planning on keeping the watch and wear it for a long time, what's the point in polishing it? It's going to get scratches anyway.
If you're a careful wearer, it will just develop hair-line scratches and maybe some deeper ones on the clasp. My 2008 Submariner date has a lovely hair line patina (no dents) and I absolutely love it's neo-vintage look. |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: TRF
Posts: 2,266
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I wouldn’t trust RSC with a polish. I’d go to LAWW or another known trusted polisher.
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#9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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Quote:
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Real Name: Chris
Location: Austin
Watch: 6 digit Rolex+APRO
Posts: 1,548
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You can’t undo a bad polish. I’ve read way too many stories on here about bad polishing jobs and some were from Rolex. In both of my times sending a watch to RSC, I specified not to polish the watch or bracelet. If a Rolex has its original finish, no matter how old or used, it looks better than a bad polish job.
So, wear and enjoy the watch. I’ve found that the more worn out a watch is, the more likely I am to wear it, and that’s what they are for. |
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: MD/NC
Watch: 114060
Posts: 2,591
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I am not an expert on this and I can only speak to my experiences, but I do own a polished watch. My Sub had a full cosmetic restoration from LAWW before I bought it and I am pretty sure it got some laser welding done to it. With the exception of a scratch on the ceramic bezel and on the sapphire, IMHO it looked pretty close to a new watch (a year later it obviously has some marks on it). Holding it next to a factory new Explorer, the brushed finishes looked nearly identical. Further, the angles are all still sharp, and the reflection in the polished areas are true (where as poorly polished watches sometimes have rounded angles and wavy reflections).
I am all for cosmetically refinishing watches, but I agree with those that note that it is REALLY dependent on who is doing the work, and a really poor polishing job isn't something you can just press CTRL+Z on. Here are some pics showing some close up areas. I was (and am) happy with it. YMMV. |
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#12 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: TRF
Posts: 2,266
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Quote:
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,017
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Quote:
It took them 6 weeks and when it came back on first glance it looked practically brand new. I could not believe it, because I remember there was a really bad ding on the bezel and it's gone. I was very satisfied with the result and would send all my other watches to RSC in the future. I can still tell it's used though, I just didn't know they could restore the watch to this level of condition because I really abused the watch... BEFORE: ![]() AFTER: ![]() ![]() TODAY (one year after polish): ![]()
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#14 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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Iamjacky, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, enjoyed those pictures and love this watch!!
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#16 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,193
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#17 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NorCal
Watch: Yes!
Posts: 6,560
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No pics to share, as I don't have a before and after, but when I first got my pre-owned 16710 in 2010, one of the first things I did was get it polished. When it comes to scratches, my thoughts are that you should do what makes you happy.
I don't baby my watches but I do wear them with care (e.g. I take them to the beach but I'm not slamming my wrists on the asphalt changing tires / working on engines); they're going to get scratched here and there, so you live with it. Now, if there's a gigantic gash that makes me cringe every time I look at it or it's beat to death like the DJ above (no offense!), then I'm definitely getting it polished. It just wouldn't make me happy to see it in that condition each time I strapped it on. If you're buying these things for resale, then don't polish. Again, that's not generally my stance but as I said above - do what makes you happy!
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#18 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 4,639
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Their maxi case or modern watch polishing, is solid. It would be hard to cut a maxi case and make it look super thin. I had them polish a 16570, and they absolutely hammered it. Even after I said no polish. So modern, yes. Neo vintage or vintage, I personally would never let them touch it.
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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Yeah, was thinking with the much 'squarer' cases it must be an easier job to polish.
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#20 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: New England
Posts: 1,801
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I found this forum when I was searching for whether or not to have my watch polished when sending it in to the RSC for service after 18 years of daily wear. I was mostly sending it in to replace the gaskets since I used it often in salt water. I really had no idea of the differin opinion on this topic until I began going through all the threads.
In the end I had them polish it with the service. No regrets as it was like buying the watch all over again. It will slowly get scratched up again and I will do the same in another decade with my other watches. Personal preference… |
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 13
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I wouldn't worry too much - if you want a watch that looks close to new, go for it. Worst case scenario, the master craftsmen at Rolliworks or similar reputable business can undo literally anything that might happen to your watch whether it be a bad polish, or worse (much worse!).
Here's my 1992 16710 Pepsi that Rolliworks restored for me a couple years ago. I now operate on the assumption that I can do whatever the heck I want with my watches, there's nothing that can't be undone with modern technology and a skilled craftsman behind the equipment. |
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#22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 204
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: MD/NC
Watch: 114060
Posts: 2,591
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#24 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southeast
Watch: Divers, GMT
Posts: 2,147
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#25 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 13
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Quote:
If you like the look of a minty new watch, I say go for an RSC polish if just normal scratches or send to a proper restoration shop if there's chunks of metal missing (or if RSC lets the apprentice polish your watch). I never got the appeal of beat up old watches left in beat up old condition. Much like classic cars, they're better off restored to their original glory IMO! Beware 'NOS' and 'never polished, mint condition' watch sales ![]() When I acquired it vs now: IMG_20200203_123058.jpg Photo Resizer 2022_02_09_09_08_12.jpg |
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#26 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,017
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#27 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Watch: OP36 Blue 3-6-9
Posts: 2,193
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Quote:
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk |
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#28 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Fred
Location: KY, USA
Watch: GMT-Master II
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Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group |
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#29 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: US, SG, DK, GR
Watch: Reverso
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#30 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brisbane
Watch: DSSD
Posts: 7,964
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Quote:
If there are minor swirls and a little marring on the polished surfaces and no gouges anywhere else then the prospects are excellent that it will be touched up to look exactly like new. Any dings and gouges will skew the results in the other direction depending on severity. In summary, it all depends ![]() |
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