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Old 8 August 2023, 04:56 AM   #1
Ale93am
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Rolex datejust 16203 polished or not ?

Hi to all members,
I got this datejust 16203,It has 20 years old.
Should i polish It or not ?


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Old 8 August 2023, 04:59 AM   #2
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Old 8 August 2023, 04:59 AM   #3
springer
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Totally your choice. If it is looking pretty ratty right now, maybe.
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Old 8 August 2023, 05:05 AM   #4
Ale93am
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I'm confused right now...

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Totally your choice. If it is looking pretty ratty right now, maybe.
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Old 8 August 2023, 05:44 AM   #5
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I had my 30 year old 16203 polished with a RSC service in the US (not sure which one - AD sent it off) and could not be more pleased. Not overdone in the slightest, IMO. YMMV.
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Old 8 August 2023, 05:51 AM   #6
77T
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Rolex datejust 16203 polished or not ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ale93am View Post
I'm confused right now...

Don’t be.
I don’t see anything wrong in those pictures that cry out for polishing.

I think the other comments are about preferences because many owners don’t want any polishing no matter what.


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Old 8 August 2023, 08:13 AM   #7
Ale93am
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Can you post a pics? Thanks

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Originally Posted by doyall View Post
I had my 30 year old 16203 polished with a RSC service in the US (not sure which one - AD sent it off) and could not be more pleased. Not overdone in the slightest, IMO. YMMV.
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Old 8 August 2023, 08:15 AM   #8
pk552502
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Looks good to me as is. I like a little visible wear & tear.
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Old 8 August 2023, 10:31 AM   #9
L.K Johnson
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I got a box of these from my AD:s watch smith and they are great to use to “refresh” polish parts in a watch without going for a full polish:

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Old 8 August 2023, 10:33 AM   #10
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From the pictures you uploaded, I see no reason why it should be polished.
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Old 8 August 2023, 10:57 AM   #11
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OP, please come back in about ten/fifteen years.

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Old 9 August 2023, 09:07 AM   #12
Ale93am
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I'll hold like as well as ��
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Old 9 August 2023, 03:20 PM   #13
996marty
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If it was me I’d be leaving it as is
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Old 9 August 2023, 03:34 PM   #14
Dr.Smellody
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Looks like new to me. I'd give it another 50 years.
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Old 9 August 2023, 07:45 PM   #15
robinmgb
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I’d definitely polish it, as long as it’s done by an expert, will look good as new and retain case shape/lugs etc.
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Old 9 August 2023, 10:38 PM   #16
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I can't see anything in the photos that would lead me to think it needs polishing, but I don't mind small hairline scratches and swirls. If you want the watch to look new, get it polished.

By the way, this is not a vintage watch IMO. Just a pre-owned DJ from the modern era, so no need to worry about preserving collectible value.
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Old 9 August 2023, 11:35 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan S View Post
I can't see anything in the photos that would lead me to think it needs polishing, but I don't mind small hairline scratches and swirls. If you want the watch to look new, get it polished.

By the way, this is not a vintage watch IMO. Just a pre-owned DJ from the modern era, so no need to worry about preserving collectible value.
I agree with all that.

Your last sentence made me recall the discourse merely a decade ago with chaps on the forum.

Many of whom argued that 90's Subs and GMTs wouldn't ever be collectable...like below....

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16 April 2012, 09:36 PM
well, by that logic wont the 16610 be the 1680?

i mean, they are all nice watches..i would base it on my own preferences rather than future collectible value - there are way too many 16610's and 14060's for either to be collectible in my mind.

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Well he got that right didn't he ..... !! Rgds Paul
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Old 9 August 2023, 11:51 PM   #18
Dan S
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TuRo View Post
I agree with all that.

Your last sentence made me recall the discourse merely a decade ago with chaps on the forum.

Many of whom argued that 90's Subs and GMTs wouldn't ever be collectable...like below....

____________________________________________

16 April 2012, 09:36 PM
well, by that logic wont the 16610 be the 1680?

i mean, they are all nice watches..i would base it on my own preferences rather than future collectible value - there are way too many 16610's and 14060's for either to be collectible in my mind.

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Well he got that right didn't he ..... !! Rgds Paul
I guess that's true, and I can remember when people said the same about 5513s.
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Old 10 August 2023, 01:56 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ale93am View Post
Can you post a pics? Thanks

Before and after: (Had to re-size down - may have to blow-up for detail. Bezel still has some residual scratches.)


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Rolex post service resize.jpg

But seriously, yours does not look bad compared to how mine was. It was a daily wearer for 15+ years.
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Old 10 August 2023, 03:18 AM   #20
doyall
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... By the way, this is not a vintage watch IMO. ...
Some call 30YO watches neo-vintage. Does that count?
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Old 7 September 2023, 06:57 PM   #21
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I have a 16203, it was my dads, I keep thinking to get it polished as it is quite scratched but at the same time, my dad made most of the scratches so I decided against getting it done.

If you have just bought the watch and it has no sentimental value, polish it.
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Old 7 September 2023, 09:43 PM   #22
crowncollection
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Why not if you like the new watch look


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Old 9 September 2023, 10:54 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doyall View Post
Some call 30YO watches neo-vintage. Does that count?
Some do, but I would not. "Neo-vintage" is a silly term, adjacent to an even sillier concept.

As an owner of an almost 30 year-old Rolex, I have the best combo of case and lug shape, crystal material and link composition (not the end links, they're still hollow, if that matters). Best of all, I didn't have to enter an AD to get it. It does not need additional approval from a curator. lol
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Old 9 September 2023, 01:58 PM   #24
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looking good to me though
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Old 10 September 2023, 04:22 AM   #25
watchluvr4ever
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Don’t look too bad to me, just some honest wear…gives it some character.
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