What’s up with being polished ?

[Rolexoman]

Since joining here a few months back I have heard several members comment about whether a watch case and or bracelet has been polished and a few say pass or a polished one so.

What’s the big deal with it being polished if it’s been done correctly or even the term I have heard is Capecodded, does this somehow affect resale, I could see if it was polished badly but I can’t see how lightly polishing the case or bracelet clasp lightly could hurt so can someone explain.

[Juan Luis]

A good light polish in my opinion, is unnoticeable. I find it's good to find an unpolished watch cause then you know all the metal is there so one can go ahead and have it polished professionally to looking spank new again. In my experience, a lightly polished watch does not affect market value.

[ArtNouveau]

35 year Rolex owner here, NOT in the antipolishing contingent. I don’t believe in breaking out the polishing equipment every time there’s a hairline scratch, but also see nothing wrong with a well done touch up when needed.
There are certainly polishing hack jobs out there but one done properly by a skilled user does not render the watch junk to me.
PS: when buying a used watch take “unpolished” with a grain of salt. Pretty much all resellers do a bit of touch up before listing.

[The Libertine]

Because some feel inclined to polish each and every time there is a scratch, and because not all polishing jobs are done right; eventually the case lines are ruined.

Ultimately, there are those of us who like to keep original finish and factory polish.

[illiguy]

I think we have a lot of speculative investors who think their watch loses value if polished/polished poorly.

[sillo]

Refinishing isn't bad. Poor refinishing is.

[2001jesper]

Significant overreaction on the forum and almost a perspective now that a polished watch is a ruined watch - Certainly not the case. Agree that its getting out of hand

[77T]

There are a couple of reasons people take the polishing point to an extreme.

One is the recent trend of “untouched” models in the market and frivolous focus on resale value.

The other is genuine love of the watches and concern that a set of bad polishing jobs would be a travesty.

Either reason can be taken to an extreme and you see that in some of the more ridiculous posts over the past few years.


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[Rolexoman]

I doubt I will sell any of my pieces anytime soon but if I choose to I may just leave the hairline scratches that I have gotten by just daily wear, I figure this way I can sell it and clearly advise to the buyer it’s unpolished, the one exception was the preowned Omega Seamaster that I recently acquired as I was told by the seller that it was lightly polished and with my untrained eyes it looks like it’s never been polished but guessing if done right you should not be able to tell.

[descartes]

A bad polish changes case shape.

Even multiple good polishing jobs will change case shape.

[Rolexoman]

Originally Posted by descartes

A bad polish changes case shape.

Even multiple good polishing jobs will change case shape.

I would think you would have to really power polish a case to change the shape but then I am pretty careful with all my watches even the Citizens Eco-Drive I have that does not compare in pricing to any other watch I own.

I figure the best way to avoid damage that imparts scratches and gouges on a watch is to just be careful, I know it’s a watch and meant to be worn but there’s no reason to be on a destructive path and not care so fo me every time I strap one of my pieces on and I wear a watch every single day I just tell myself be careful and enjoy.

[Chewbacca]

I'm OK with polished watches if done right.

Just like surgery or tire manufacturing.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Rolexoman

I would think you would have to really power polish a case to change the shape but then I am pretty careful with all my watches even the Citizens Eco-Drive I have that does not compare in pricing to any other watch I own.

It really doesn't take much to ruin the lines of a case, especially the older cases with radial brushing and chamfers.

[sunnygps]

I do care who and how the watch was polished. I really don’t case about the metal taken off during polishing as I hardly sell any of my watches.

Back to my point about who and how. My understanding is that RSC will only polish a watch during full service. The reason being that they will take all the internals out during service and with the case being empty of any mechanical parts, the vibrations, etc. will not damage the mechanical parts.

Now, I don’t think Rolex watches are that sensitive to polishing with all the internal still in the case, but I will think twice before buying a preowned polished watch.

[Setarip]

Never polished any of mine...SD abused for 9 yrs in the service...BLNR banged and scratched by living with it 24x7. I did have the center links on BLNR brushed out, so it looks like the sports watch it was intended to be.

When I sent the SD to RSC for service, I explicitly noted "do not polish case" which they honored, so it has all the nicks and dings that bring back fond memories.

To each his own.

My watches don't just tell time...they tell history.

[SubMarine]

Some of us don’t wish to be robbed of the full Rolex experience, which is exactly what happens to the new owner when a polished watch has been purchased.

[Rolexoman]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Some of us don’t wish to be robbed of the full Rolex experience, which is exactly what happens to the new owner when a polished watch has been purchased.

Well my DJII that my wife gifted me this past Christmas was NIB never worn but had been purchased by the original owner the year before but as I said it had never been worn and came as a full set and that’s the way I want to keep it, there are some hairline scratches on the clasp and some on the oyster bracelet as well but it’s gonna happen so I just wear and enjoy and try to be conscious of wearing it but then I’m the same with my other time pieces.

I will never part with the Rolex my bride gifted me as she saved and saved for along time to get it for me as she knew for a long time I wanted a Rolex, as far as my other pieces all except one were purchased NIB and unless something really bad happens I will more than likely leave it unpolished but who knows what it will look like when my first service comes up.

[Michigan_State]

I prefer unpolished over polished. Many older references i.e. tool watches have been treated as such and their cases are ruined to me. It’s the same with cars to me. I prefer original paint, interior and matching numbers over reworked/-painted.

[RJRJRJ]

A cape cod cloth won't do any permanent damage, but machinery in the hands of the wrong person definitely can. As long as they are qualified, and they are not trying to grind out a deep gouge, it should turn out basically looking like new.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by descartes

A bad polish changes case shape.

Even multiple good polishing jobs will change case shape.

But why would a watch need multiple polishes?

[Rogdogg]

I have no problem with a polish at service intervals by Rolex or another capable independent with good reputation.

A polish from the wrong person however can butcher a watch. These are the types I would mind and avoid at all costs.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rolexoman

Since joining here a few months back I have heard several members comment about whether a watch case and or bracelet has been polished and a few say pass or a polished one so.

What’s the big deal with it being polished if it’s been done correctly or even the term I have heard is Capecodded, does this somehow affect resale, I could see if it was polished badly but I can’t see how lightly polishing the case or bracelet clasp lightly could hurt so can someone explain.

Well agree today there is a anti polish epidemic with the many posts on forum lately.But in the real world Rolex cases/bracelets are designed to be polished and as long as its done at normal RSC routine service only.Then there should not be any problem with today's mainly over pampered watches.And again in the real world when correctly serviced/polished you would have at least 5 services before you would even notice, that around 40-50 years of wearing.

Below a picture of my own working tool SD was used and sometimes abused for many years underwater as a real working tool watch.And watch has seen more use and scratches than most of today's Rolex watches will see in ten lifetimes.It has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide,picture taken in Singapore after last service quite a few years ago now.

[Flyingpig698]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well agree today there is a anti polish epidemic with the many posts on forum lately.But in the real world Rolex cases/bracelets are designed to be polished and as long as its done at normal RSC routine service only.Then there should not be any problem with today's mainly over pampered watches.And again in the real world when correctly serviced/polished you would have at least 5 services before you would even notice, that around 40-50 years of wearing.



Below a picture of my own working tool SD was used and sometimes abused for many years underwater as a real working tool watch.And watch has seen more use and scratches than most of today's Rolex watches will see in ten lifetimes.It has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide,picture taken in Singapore after last service quite a few years ago now.

Your watch looks very good indeed!
I guess you’re a dive instructor or master? Haha


Best Regards,
Danny

[Tomas Eriksson]

There are multiple reasons why a non polished piece is more desirable in most situation. A unpolished is even all scratched prefered by many because it's honest. But more important is that a polish removes the original lines of the watch. The distinkt lines from brushed to polished gets lost. Fair enough, these days there are companies that with correct tooling can recreate some of if, but there is always material loss and someone knowledgable will be able to tell.

Originally Posted by ratty

But why would a watch need multiple polishes?

Wear, scratch, polish, repeat...

[Rolexoman]

Peter,

Very good example of a watch that has been used but also taken care of.

[faimag]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

35 year Rolex owner here, NOT in the antipolishing contingent. I don’t believe in breaking out the polishing equipment every time there’s a hairline scratch, but also see nothing wrong with a well done touch up when needed.
There are certainly polishing hack jobs out there but one done properly by a skilled user does not render the watch junk to me.
PS: when buying a used watch take “unpolished” with a grain of salt. Pretty much all resellers do a bit of touch up before listing.

And many used "unpolished" to refer to a watch which is beat up and has not been polished since it's last polishing job!

But overall, I agree. I don't mind a watch that's been polished/refinished correctly. After all, when you get a new watch, it's freshly polished from factory! I think the anti-polishing hype is another fad of our times...

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by ratty

But why would a watch need multiple polishes?

Some owners feel the compulsive need to remove scratches. It’s a cycle: polish, get more scratches, polish again. Repeat as often as necessary.

[Ar_Mi]

For the most part I'm with the non-polished school of thought. I have a few personal reasons.

Firstly because in my mind, a polish hides the truth of watches past to a certain extent. there is no need for a dealer or jeweler to polish a watch that has normal wear and tear. They are meant to be used. I want to sleep at night knowing that the watch I bought wasn't absolutely abused, then polished by some shady dealer and advertised as "lightly used" or "brand new with little to no signs of wear"...

Second is that if the polish isn't done by RCS or a very skilled 3rd party, it butchers the sharp corners and edges of the watch. This is a bit less visible with a Rolex but a trained eye can deff still tell. With some other brands like AP for example, anything other than the most professional polish will absolutely 'melt' the sharp lines of the gorgeous 8 sided bezel!

Thats just me, others might disagree.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well agree today there is a anti polish epidemic with the many posts on forum lately.But in the real world Rolex cases/bracelets are designed to be polished and as long as its done at normal RSC routine service only.Then there should not be any problem with today's mainly over pampered watches.And again in the real world when correctly serviced/polished you would have at least 5 services before you would even notice, that around 40-50 years of wearing.

Below a picture of my own working tool SD was used and sometimes abused for many years underwater as a real working tool watch.And watch has seen more use and scratches than most of today's Rolex watches will see in ten lifetimes.It has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide,picture taken in Singapore after last service quite a few years ago now.

Lovely SD thx for sharing Peter

[AJMarcus]

Every time a watch gets polished it removes metal. A poorly done polish can round out edges and even ruin the appearance. If done lightly and by a professional it’s fine. Think of it like a haircut. If your barber takes too much off or gives you a bad cut it will grow back. Not so with a bad polish.