Maintaining Rolex Originality

[majidessa]

Hi,

I know that the community usually like to maintain the originality of most SS Rolex sport models like Subs, GMT, Daytona ...etc. In order to do so only movement is serviced and no parts are changed even if they show old age like dial, hands, bezels with no polishing of the case.

The above is not mandatory and is more applicable to vintage / neo vintage pieces, while some might do for modern pieces.

However, what about other models, like two tones and PM pieces such as TT sub or Daytona. The reason I'm asking is because the purpose of these watches is to be flashy and more of a jewelry piece while SS models were considered to be tool watches although this is now debatable.

So wearing a scratched up piece with defects on dial/ hands, whether its TT or PM does not look as good or convincing, I might be wrong, but I would like to know the community take on this

[joli160]

Scratched up pieces and damaged dials never look good. Not on SS and not on PM watches imho

[thesharkfactor]

I think scratched up looks infintely better than over polished with rounded edges like a used bar of soap.

[Joearch]

Super subjective topic. No correct answers here for me. I wear them and treat them the same.

[SVH]

Whether you like to keep them mint or show their age/experience, every Rolex is flashy jewelry by design. But it's up to you how you want to wear it.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

The older I get the more inclined I’ve become to running my equipment in its standard configuration. Whether a vehicle or a watch I keep it clean, I don’t stress about the patina, I service it as advised and I enjoy using it. I ain’t as pretty as I used to be either.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

The older I get the more inclined I’ve become to running my equipment in its standard configuration. Whether a vehicle or a watch I keep it clean, I don’t stress about the patina, I service it as advised and I enjoy using it. I ain’t as pretty as I used to be either.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by majidessa

Hi,

I know that the community usually like to maintain the originality of most SS Rolex sport models like Subs, GMT, Daytona ...etc. In order to do so only movement is serviced and no parts are changed even if they show old age like dial, hands, bezels with no polishing of the case.

. . .

Some folks like smooth customs and some like rat-rods. Some like "character", while others just see an old, tired watch.

I would say that most folks do not service movement only and never change parts. SS, TT, or PM all need to have damaged parts replaced and the shiny parts refinished from time to time. Scuffs and scratches are simply more noticed on TT and PM.

Do what you want, not what you think somebody else wants.

[KatGirl]

I like my watches to look as good as they can, so will request a light polish, when it’s time for service. In the meantime, I just keep them clean. I have so many watches, none of them ever get too banged up, despite being a lefty, and wearing them on my left wrist.

Kat


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[Calatrava r]

I think worn out or discolored parts should be replaced. But some prefer them and that is fine with me.

[Justso]

Originally Posted by majidessa

Hi,

I know that the community usually like to maintain the originality of most SS Rolex sport models like Subs, GMT, Daytona ...etc. In order to do so only movement is serviced and no parts are changed even if they show old age like dial, hands, bezels with no polishing of the case.

So wearing a scratched up piece with defects on dial/ hands, whether its TT or PM does not look as good or convincing, I might be wrong, but I would like to know the community take on this

This is purely subjective and there is no right or wrong answer. I don't think stainless or precious metal/two tone really makes any difference in the calculus of how far to take the restoration or servicing of a watch.

I know people who buy a watch brand new and start its lifecycle and let it experience the bruises and scars show the wear/tear of ownership. When it gets serviced/overhauled, they don't want any polishing or parts replacement beyond that which the watchmaker requires for an overhaul because they want the watch to have character.

Others will want the RSC treatment of the watch being restored to as close to factory original as it can possibly get each time the watch goes in for an overhaul. This means they want everything possible done to it, up to replacing cosmetic parts like dials, bezels, hands all the way up to laser welding and re-beveling the case to its original factory specifications.

Neither is right and neither is wrong, it's really up to the individual and should be respected.

[ChronoZach]

Tomato, tomatoo , potato , potatoo, depends on the user, for some its patina not just on the dial, some wear is fine for me, just not beat to hell especially on a TT or PM piece.
I agree that they aren’t just a tool piece and are more like jewelry piece.

Wear your watches and enjoy them as you are the only one that understands them and what they mean to us but be mindful of what you are doing with them on. After all of the grief we go through to even buy one, to trash them is criminal. Accidents will happen for some of us. A loose crown in the water or loss of a pin on the bracelet or something else.

Cheers,

[PenDelicate]

If it were true that people prefer "no parts are changed even if they show old age like dial, hands, bezels with no polishing of the case" for SS models, but prefer re-finished/replaced parts for PM models, then grey-market values would reflect this.

But I don't think they do.

What people pay highest for is not "original parts for SS but re-finished parts for PM," but instead, new old-stock for both SS and PM. That is: all original, unpolished, unworn.

After that, the best prices I think tend to be for "original parts, signs of wear" for both SS and PM.

And lastly is "replaced parts/repolished" for both SS and PM.

So no: I don't think SS and PM are treated differently in this matter.

But I really don't know.

[vinny84]

As most have stated here, it's subjective based on preferences. I don't mind scratches on my watch and I wouldn't replace my bezel or dial because of blemishes.

I like to think certain watches age like fine wine, similar to a classic car. It's going to have scratches on it but once you detail it, it's still going to look good driving down the road along with the memories of enjoying it.

[Sublovin]

The notion of not having the watch properly serviced is foolish. 99%of people who feel this way are wearing dime a dozen pieces like a Sub. Wear the watch and when it's time for service, get it serviced by Rolex. All replacement parts will be genuine and the watch will look and run as intended.

[majidessa]

Thanks for all the replies, the reason I'm asking is usually because the SS pieces are mostly the ones that are talked about in terms of their significance and value. Rolex aficionados appreciate these watches to remain as orginal as possible with all the patina. However, all the examples that I have read or seen are mostly SS sport models like Zenith Daytonas

[0nly5iv3Digits]

With any "mechanical" consumer-good that is intended to see consistent use, you're going to run into "wearable" components that degrade with time and use.... like the oil in your car... tyres etc... That said, I am in the group of passionate people who likes to take care of my things. If something has been abused and is worn out, then a replacement is the right choice - regardless of rarity/value etc. (imho) - unless for sentimental reasons one should choose the otherwise... but I digress. If things are in good/well-maintained order, no need to make alterations.

[inadeje]

I consider a polish every 5 or so years at service time equivalent to an occasional spa

[NigeG]

I get it when folk want to maintain originality of some vintage pieces. I also get it when all worn out parts get replaced so the watch looks like new again. The challenge I guess it where you draw the line.

I do like to see something like an old 5513 and it’s showing 50+ years of wear n tear. I prefer it to have the original hands and dial but I don’t mind seeing it if it’s got service hands and dial providing they still are Tritium finished.

I did see a guy I was working with a few years back with the most beat up 16610. It really did look as if he’d driven over it a few times. It looked terrible. Abused rather than just bearing the scars.

I have a Breitling Colt Quartz that I bought new 30 years ago. I wore it everyday for around 20 years apart from when it went for battery changes. About ten years ago Breitling insisted on a full service and refinishing rather than battery and reseal. Part of the mandatory work was new hands. When I received it back it looked brand new; they’d done an amazing job until I looked at the face. New Luminova hands against an aged, creamy tritium dial. It looks awful. So now it sits in the watch box, unworn. I wished they’d have changed the dial too if they had to change the hands.

Lastly, if I’d got hold of a modern GMT Master II with polished PCL’s the first thing I’d do is have them brushed to reduce the scratch magnet tendency


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[georgekart]

Originally Posted by majidessa

So wearing a scratched up piece with defects on dial/ hands, whether its TT or PM does not look as good or convincing, I might be wrong, but I would like to know the community take on this

It really depends on the piece. Some pieces will age gracefully and some won't. And how scratched up and defective it looks. We all love to see old tropical dials, old creamy lume plots, faded bezels, etc. On gold watches as well, because if you want a perfect piece, you can just go modern. A part of vintage appeal is that all of them are effectively piece unique. Not because they came out of the factory as unique, but because time made them unique. Similarly scratches sort of add character, first scratch looks bad, but as you get more and more scratches it starts to look more and more cohesive. It's sort of like (and many guys on here will agree) when you first start growing a beard out that first week or two is the weirdest part where you have a bit of an uneven stubble and your immediate idea is shave it. But you can't get to a beard without going through that stage. Same thing with vintage pieces. A good thing is that modern pieces won't really age so you might as well restore them to perfect condition by giving them a light polish, but if it's an older piece, allow it to get scratches, develop patina, have the dial and hands lume turn creamy due to lume decay, etc.