Which is the most difficult to achieve, mirror or brushed finish?

[Master_Grogu]

I know that the more rugged models (Deep Sea, Sub) have a brushed finishing. The idea is to make them more scratch resistant, which isn’t working very well anyhow if you use them as tools.

On more luxurious items such as Yachtmaster or DayDate, mirror finish is everywhere.

So while Rolex applies a mirror finishing to the higher end models, I am wondering which of the two is more time intensive / expensive to produce ?

Any insights appreciated.

[joli160]

Brushed is easier, that’s just another way of scratching it up.
To achieve a distortion free mirror shine is a work of art and require great skills, Grand Seiko hands and indices are probably a well known example of how it should be done.
Just my 2c.

[brandrea]

No idea but one things for sure ... if they aren’t done right they look terrible

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

I know that the more rugged models (Deep Sea, Sub) have a brushed finishing. The idea is to make them more scratch resistant, which isn’t working very well anyhow if you use them as tools.

On more luxurious items such as Yachtmaster or DayDate, mirror finish is everywhere.

So while Rolex applies a mirror finishing to the higher end models, I am wondering which of the two is more time intensive / expensive to produce ?

Any insights appreciated.

It's six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Mirror polish is easy to achieve with the right gear it's the keeping of uniform contours and crisp edges that pushes up the degree of difficulty and expense. Think of Zaratsu polishing. There's mirror polish and there's mirror polish.
Some mirror polishing passes the light reflective test, but can't match the outright clarity of the best.

A brushed finish is another issue as there's different levels of surface conditioning to consider. Some are coarse whilst others are finer.
It's the matching of original factory finishing that adds a layer of complexity and cost. Again, it helps to have all the right gear.
Training is required to achieve the necessary skill levels either way and it's just as easy to muck the job up.
Not any monkey can do it and maintain the required standard. So trained professionals cost money either way.

On reflection, I would consider the highest levels of mirror polishing could easily be more expensive to obtain with the requisite level of uniformity.
But only the highest levels like Zaratsu.

Besides, let's get one thing clear.
The surface finish doesn't make the material more scratch resistant.
To an extent it can potentially hide scratches better.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by joli160

Brushed is easier, that’s just another way of scratching it up.
To achieve a distortion free mirror shine is a work of art and require great skills, Grand Seiko hands and indices are probably a well known example of how it should be done.
Just my 2c.

Yes, the indices are something to behold.
But GS are geared up for it and are committed to achieving the desired outcome. I imagine there's a degree of economy of scale that comes into play there.
The more you do, the better you get

[ROLEX*]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

I know that the more rugged models (Deep Sea, Sub) have a brushed finishing. The idea is to make them more scratch resistant, which isn’t working very well anyhow if you use them as tools.

On more luxurious items such as Yachtmaster or DayDate, mirror finish is everywhere.

So while Rolex applies a mirror finishing to the higher end models, I am wondering which of the two is more time intensive / expensive to produce ?

Any insights appreciated.

Depends on tools and workmanship

[Mystro]

All things being equal, brushed is less expensive in labor to produce. Keep in mind we are in a pro set up with proper tools. With 904L, a oem mirror finish can go south easier than reapplying a brushed finish.

[Burlington]

It can vary, but some things to consider

Black polishing, is probably the hardest finish to achieve in terms of time & craftsmanship

A standard mirror finish can be relatively quickly applied on a polishing wheel, as can a brushed finish.

For a more grained brush finish, à la Royal Oak, then it’s again back to a hand process on abrasive paper so very much relies upon skill & patience.

Throw into the mix more exotic materials beyond basic stainless steel such as ceramic and again things go up a notch.

The other consideration is how close are different polishing techniques to one another, what angles are present, size of the polished or brushed surface etc. all of which mean a hand applied finish is most likely needed.

So the answer is really it depends.

[ROLEX*]

Originally Posted by burlington

it can vary, but some things to consider

black polishing, is probably the hardest finish to achieve in terms of time & craftsmanship

a standard mirror finish can be relatively quickly applied on a polishing wheel, as can a brushed finish.

For a more grained brush finish, à la royal oak, then it’s again back to a hand process on abrasive paper so very much relies upon skill & patience.

Throw into the mix more exotic materials beyond basic stainless steel such as ceramic and again things go up a notch.

The other consideration is how close are different polishing techniques to one another, what angles are present, size of the polished or brushed surface etc. All of which mean a hand applied finish is most likely needed.

So the answer is really it depends.

+1

[saxo3]

"God made the bulk; the surface was invented by the devil" Wolfgang Pauli (1900-1958)

[GMTmatt]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

I know that the more rugged models (Deep Sea, Sub) have a brushed finishing. The idea is to make them more scratch resistant, which isn’t working very well anyhow if you use them as tools.

On more luxurious items such as Yachtmaster or DayDate, mirror finish is everywhere.

So while Rolex applies a mirror finishing to the higher end models, I am wondering which of the two is more time intensive / expensive to produce ?

Any insights appreciated.

They don’t put the mirror finish on the dive watches because you don’t want the shine to be mistaken for a fish. The PM sub is another story.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by GMTmatt

They don’t put the mirror finish on the dive watches because you don’t want the shine to be mistaken for a fish.