Want an opinion on whether my 1680 can use a refinish

[citanest]

My 1680 is not a virgin. Although it has ok lug size and nice battle scars, I do love those sharp edges from factory finish or aftermarket refinish. I just do not know if mine will have enough lug width to bring the sharpness back without looking overly polished or having tiny lugs. I hope to get a second opinion before proceeding. Any input is welcome.










This is what I hope it will look like after the refinish but I am not sure if it is possible. My lack of experience does not help.






Thanks.

[stevedssd]

Personally I'd leave it as is

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

Personally I'd leave it as is

Same here, leave it alone.

[watchcrank]

Its only original unpolished once. I'd never polish that watch. It has so much charm as
a survivor. m

[1675-David]

love it as it is! Don't do it!!!

[Wesley Crusher]

Yes, I'd leave it. Your watch has tons of character.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Yes, I'd leave it. Your watch has tons of character.

Agreed

[citanest]

Thanks for the input. I cannot agree more about the watch having a lot of character. There are just a few spots which I hoped to "fix" to make it look more "factory spec". I started buying new before I bought vintage. I am very much used to sharp clean lines. After seeing those premium Rolex sellers polishing their watches to factory spec and made it look phenomenal before selling, it just made me want to do the same. You are guys are really talking me out of it.

[Gecko10]

Let it proudly show its battle scars.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by citanest

Thanks for the input. I cannot agree more about the watch having a lot of character. There are just a few spots which I hoped to "fix" to make it look more "factory spec". I started buying new before I bought vintage. I am very much used to sharp clean lines. After seeing those premium Rolex sellers polishing their watches to factory spec and made it look phenomenal before selling, it just made me want to do the same. You are guys are really talking me out of it.

It took 40+ years for your watch to develop that character. If you ding it or add a few scratches, it won't take away from the aesthetic and you probably won't even notice. If you polish the watch, any dings or scratches will bother you and you will want to repolish the watch even more since the dings/scratches will be very obvious. I would just leave it. Truly, it looks awesome as-is.

Food for thought...

[citanest]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

It took 40+ years for your watch to develop that character. If you ding it or add a few scratches, it won't take away from the aesthetic and you probably won't even notice. If you polish the watch, any dings or scratches will bother you and you will want to repolish the watch even more since the dings/scratches will be very obvious. I would just leave it. Truly, it looks awesome as-is.

Food for thought...

Very good point. I guess I may need to keep repolishing it once I have it refinished. Still interested in hearing from those who did it. I saw many members refinishing their case through LAWW or ABC with great results. LAWW said the lugs are thick enough to make it look great. Obviously, they would be a little biased. I just think that the chamfers look very wide and "fake". That is what bothered me the most.

[theflywrist]

Dont do it!!!
That case looks incredible. Honest wear, as a 40+ year old watch should have!

Think this through and take your time because you can always get the work done whenever you want.
You can't reverse the work though, and who knows the charm in an honest beaten case may grow on you, as it did on me and many others that are encouraging against refinishing.

[japenney]

I had my 1675 done by LA watch works (to return next week). I only did it because the watch had some bad polish jobs over the years by your average watchmaker and it just looked rounded and the lug holes were blown out a bit.

However if it was an all original beauty like that sub I would never touch it.

[michaelodonnell123]

I personally hate watches that look like crap and are all beat up (which is why I always buy new). I would have it polished up and enjoy a minty looking watch. Rolex offers the service precisely so that you can have a great looking watch again.

[sfc rick]

I tend to agree about restoring the case back to a polished luster. It's your watch and if a ragged looking timepiece suits you then leave it alone, if not then polish it. If you just want an investment leave it alone so your surviving family members can sell it off for about 10% of the value. Or what ever a pawn shop will offer them. Not saying they will, but things happen that are not under your control. Mine is polished and for a 40+year old Sub it stuns most casual observers. There is excellent advice here so best wishes on what you do either way.

[1William]

I would leave it alone. If I needed a less scared watch I would buy another watch and have two.

[77T]

It appears to me from your pictures that the case's lugs were refinished before. The outer edges do not have the same factory chamfering at the tips (where the angle broadens in a factory finish).

So in one sense, you won't be ruining an original piece. But I agree with the others who say leave it alone. One reason is you can't predict what dings are in your future.

If you refinish now and if a really bad one came along a year later - or even a day later - you'd have less metal for the watchmaker to work with.

While it looks scarred, it has true character.


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[citanest]

Originally Posted by 77T

It appears to me from your pictures that the case's lugs were refinished before. The outer edges do not have the same factory chamfering at the tips (where the angle broadens in a factory finish).

So in one sense, you won't be ruining an original piece. But I agree with the others who say leave it alone. One reason is you can't predict what dings are in your future.

If you refinish now and if a really bad one came along a year later - or even a day later - you'd have less metal for the watchmaker to work with.

While it looks scarred, it has true character.


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Very good eyes. That is actually the part that bothers me. The chamfer is lost as it approaches the grown guard. I wish it is still there.


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[citanest]

Originally Posted by citanest

Very good eyes. That is actually the part that bothers me. The chamfer is lost as it approaches the grown guard. I wish it is still there.


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A little more clear shot. Hoping to bring the chamfer back.





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[sensui]

I'd leave it alone myself since it looks good. Still sharp and has most of original cuts/recut. I'd sing a different tune if corners looked more rounded.

[joli160]

A pro can fix it without messing it up

[swish77]

Speak to LAWW. They should be able to even out the chamfers toward the ends of the lugs without a full refinish. Either way, I wouldn't touch the sides of the case and especially not those nice fat crown guards. Overall, that's a fantastic case.