Different take on the polished vs unpolished debate

[Sipper]

I’ve searched buy have not found anything on point. I’m curious is anyone in this forum has ever posted hi def photos of their watch and asked others to guess if the watch is polished or unpolished and then later post revealed the answer. I’d be willing to bet the people who generally hold themselves out as experts would be wrong as often as they are right. I would do it myself buy do not have the ability to take hi def photos.

[enjoythemusic]

sounds like trollin'. But i don't have the ability to troll.

luke_skywalker_like.jpg

[Sipper]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

sounds like trollin'. But i don't have the ability to troll.

Attachment 1420645

Not a troll at all and I’m sorry you took it that way. I find the opinions on “polished or not” to be all over the map (within the same thread) and wanted to know if anyone has conducted such a test or survey. Again, my apologies you took it the wrong way,

[espanol]

I think one must assume that almost every watch that is used has almost certainly had some level of touching-up in it's past. Whether it be RSC or some backpack dealer wanting to improve condition before a sale.

This is why the many actively seek out watches from original owners.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Sipper

I’ve searched buy have not found anything on point. I’m curious is anyone in this forum has ever posted hi def photos of their watch and asked others to guess if the watch is polished or unpolished and then later post revealed the answer. I’d be willing to bet the people who generally hold themselves out as experts would be wrong as often as they are right. I would do it myself buy do not have the ability to take hi def photos.

I did years back. I posted my daily Bluesy and Serti Sub that I touched up along the way by myself and after it was lightly polished at the 15 year mark. The lines were crisp and identical from new to 99% of educated enthusiast.
I also posted tutorials on how to do this and keep the factory finish but it may be gone as the picture host server is gone now.
First we must understand there is a difference between a full polish and a light touchup as they are different. One is done with a mechanical polishing wheel and the other can be done by hand. One requires the entire watch to be polished to mask any dissimilarities and the other spot polishes only the blemish in question.


Obviously our cameras were not as good.
Here is a 15 year old TT Sub that ran nonstop on a winder or my wrist. Some pics are before a light polishing and some are not…….

[PenDelicate]

What a beautiful sub!

[Dirt]

Again.
It all depends upon the condition of the watch prior to polishing.
I have had Rolex polish watches at service time and if it weren't for some stretch in the bracelet from daily wear one couldn't tell the watch was polished from a brand new watch of the same reference sitting right next to it. More specifically the watches I speak of were EXP IIs with brushed bezels.
Of course, it was testament to how well cared for the watches were and apart from some very slight micro marring on polished surfaces and edges from long shirt cuffs, they were in rather stunning condition before the touch up at the RSC.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by espanol

I think one must assume that almost every watch that is used has almost certainly had some level of touching-up in it's past. Whether it be RSC or some backpack dealer wanting to improve condition before a sale.

This is why the many actively seek out watches from original owners.

Agreed

[rmagoo57]

I can tell the difference because I've taken the time to learn by looking at 1000's of pic's of watches and buying/owning both repolished and unpolished (which is actually the original factory polish) watches. I love the look of the original factory polish on the 5-digit models I own so I don't mind paying a premium for them. I recently peeled the stickers off of a 16570 polar from 2007. Expensive but very satisfying!!

[Mystro]

Where I have a problem with “No Polishing” with a modern reference is when it’s used as an excuse/pass to sell a whipped watch for the same money as a pristine watch. Sometimes no polished means “uncared for”. In all my years, I have never traded in a watch that didn’t pull THE maximum trade in value that wasn’t touched up by myself along the way. If done correctly, a touched up modern Rolex will always demand more money than one unpolished with visual blemishes.


I am beyond picky when it comes to buying condition and why our trusted sellers like Than knows my expectations. Than will tell me strait out a particular watch won’t meet my standards. That is a great seller.


I also have a problem with some sellers carelessly using the term “mint condition” when a watch has obviously been deeply polished to correct a major flaw. If you polished a major flaw then it can’t be “mint”.
It’s also funny that the hotter the model the more liberal the term “mint” is used to get you to accept visual flaws.
But that is another issue all together.

[rmagoo57]

Here is what an original factory polish job (unpolished) looks like on a 16610LV...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=937051

[Calatrava r]

As someone said, it depends on the condition of the watch prior to polishing. A watch lightly touched to remove some faint hairlines, should be very hard to tell if it has ever been polished, if the polishing was done correctly. Watches with deep scratches require deeper work and the polishing should be fairly evident.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Where I have a problem with “No Polishing” with a modern reference is when it’s used as an excuse/pass to sell a whipped watch for the same money as a pristine watch. Sometimes no polished means “uncared for”. In all my years, I have never traded in a watch that didn’t pull THE maximum trade in value that wasn’t touched up by myself along the way. If done correctly, a touched up modern Rolex will always demand more money than one unpolished with visual blemishes.


I am beyond picky when it comes to buying condition and why our trusted sellers like Than knows my expectations. Than will tell me strait out a particular watch won’t meet my standards. That is a great seller.


I also have a problem with some sellers carelessly using the term “mint condition” when a watch has obviously been deeply polished to correct a major flaw. If you polished a major flaw then it can’t be “mint”.
It’s also funny that the hotter the model the more liberal the term “mint” is used to get you to accept visual flaws.
But that is another issue all together.

100%

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I also posted tutorials on how to do this and keep the factory finish but it may be gone as the picture host server is gone now.

I think i remember that. I think a repost is in order

[Sipper]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

Here is what an original factory polish job (unpolished) looks like on a 16610LV...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=937051

Thank you. Looks exactly like a once RSC polished 16610 that had been well cared for (no deep scratches or dings) prior to the RSC polish.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I think i remember that. I think a repost is in order

Thank you. I got screwed over by Photobucket and lost a large amount of valuable photos. I did just do a “how to properly size a bracelet.” Today’s Rolex owner is different than it was back then, but I will do more.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=932527

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Sipper

Not a troll at all…. Again, my apologies you took it the wrong way,

Definitely troll talk.

[Yomada]

For the longest time, I always heard the money is in the dials. What good is a perfect dial if you have a mangled case? With all that said, there are some really talented folks out there that can repair anything.

[Sipper]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Definitely troll talk.

You could not be more wrong, Kevin. Check out my previous posts before you pop off, Karen. In my limited time on the forum I have only posted a few specific non-trolling questions.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Sipper

Check out my previous posts before you pop off, Karen.

Definitely troll talk.

[omar-rye]

It's challenging to determine if a watch is 100% polished without having it in hand with a loupe to assist. Some watches are obviously overpolished, noticeable even to a blind person. Additionally, variations in photo quality or exposure can lead to differing opinions.

[Sipper]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Definitely troll talk.

Your troll comment is wrong. And you also can’t take a joke.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Sipper

Your troll comment is wrong. And you also can’t take a joke.

Blaming the victim. Twice. Classic troll.

[Sipper]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Blaming the victim. Twice. Classic troll.

I’m done with you in the same way a first time poster with a legit question was last month when you erroneously called him a troll. You stated “Very on-brand, still giving off troll vibes.” That must be your thing, calling legit posters “trolls”. In that thread others called you out for being a jerk. I guess that’s how you like to operated. Do us all a favor and find new place to discuss watches!

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Sipper

And you also can’t take a joke.

Perhaps the same for you. Relax, he’s just pushing your buttons…..effectively