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Polishing your watch can decrease its value. Back in 2011 a Rolex 6062, a sought-after gold-cased calendar watch, sold for well over half a million dollars at Christie’s. According to Christies and the vintage watch collecting community at large, polishing a case is about as big of a no-no as you can possibly get.
Is it bad to polish a watch?
This is the primary reason you should not polish your watch. When you polish, you naturally remove layers of the material, in order to make the surface smooth and scratch-free. Because in this case, the watch will eventually lose its original shape and form, no matter how skilled the watchmaker is.
Is a polished watch worth less?
Unlike a mistake on a painting that can always be covered up, a bad polishing job is irreversible. As a result, an over-polished vintage Rolex is valued much less than an untouched one in the eyes of many buyers.
Does polishing a Rolex devalue it?
In fact, Rolex automatically polishes watches that come in for service unless the owner specifically tells them not to. Regardless of your stance on Rolex polishing, it’s a fact that as long as there isn’t any significant metal removal, your watch won’t lose its value.
How do you tell if a watch has been polished?
When a watch is polished, it is also brushed, if it has such surfaces. Sometimes, watchmakers do not have the right grain on their polish/brush machine, and in these cases, it will be evident that the watch has been polished since it does not have the same texture as it should when coming from the factory.
Can a jeweler polish a watch?
If your watch has visibly deep scratches, or the scratches are still prominent after polishing it for 2 minutes, take the watch to a jeweler. A jeweler will be able to assess if the watch is fixable and can professionally polish it for you.
Can a jeweler remove scratches from a watch?
Deep gouges need the services of a professional jeweler to repair them. When it comes to light to moderate scratches, you can remove those yourself. All you need is a good-quality metal polish. If the watch crystal is made of acrylic, you can polish it to remove scratches, too.
Should you wear your Rolex everyday?
We recommend every 3-4 years if you wear it regularly and every 5-6 years if you only wear the watch occasionally. Servicing your watch is a general measure of safety, much like bringing in your car for an inspection, but there are some mechanical things you should look out for in your Rolex watch.
Can you buff out scratches on Rolex?
There are few techniques that effectively remove scratches from your used Rolex watch. One way to remove scratches is to use a polishing cloth. It works in both stainless and gold surfaces and is easy to use. One of the most recommended cloths are Cape Cod metal polishing cloths that come in a tin of 10.
How often should I polish my Rolex?
To guarantee continued accuracy and waterproofness, Rolex recommends that you periodically return your watch to an Official Rolex Retailer or Service Centre for professional servicing. It is recommended to service your Rolex approximately every 10 years depending on the model and real-life usage.
How long will a Rolex last?
In the majority of cases, a Rolex timepiece can last a lifetime, especially if it’s serviced regularly. While Rolex recommends service every ten years, it’s a good idea to have your watch looked at every 5 to 7 years to ensure optimal performance.
Should I have my vintage Rolex polished?
According to vintage watch dealer Eric Wind, “I advise people to not have their watches polished or buffed since it ends up removing metal and changing the architecture of the case.” Polishing, naturally, removes metal that you can’t really add back.
What does it mean when a watch is polished?
First, it might help to define what exactly we mean by “polish.” In this context, we’re specifically referring to the act of removing scratches and dings from surface of the watch’s case, bracelet, bezel, and lugs.
What does no holes case mean Rolex?
It means it’s a newer model where there are no holes in the lugs which holds the pins for the bracelet. Hope this helps. It means it’s a newer model where there are no holes in the lugs which holds the pins for the bracelet.
How much does it cost to polish a watch?
The cost of cleaning and oiling a watch is going to depend on the type of watch, geographical location and specialist performing the work. On average, a watch cleaning should cost anywhere from $45 to as much as $250 for a higher-end brand such as a Rolex.
Does toothpaste actually remove scratches?
Yes, toothpaste can remove minor paint scratches. A standard toothpaste (not a gel toothpaste) has a minor grit to it which helps buff out the scratches. Typically, minor scratches are only on the clear coat over your actual paint.
Can you fix a scratched watch?
While using a soft polishing rag (or similar), work a small amount of your chosen substance into the scratch in a circular motion. It will generally take a few minutes to clear the scratches, as long as they are not too deep. If your watch does have deep scratches, you’ll have to pay for a crystal replacement.
How do you get deep scratches out of a watch?
For watch case backs, you can lightly polish them with a rouge cloth but you won’t be able to get the deeper scratches out without removing about 1/8″ or more of the metal and removing the engraved material. The only real way to get rid of deep scratches is to laser weld to fill them and this repair is very costly.
Can you remove scratches from mineral glass?
Whether your watch is equipped with an acrylic, mineral, or sapphire crystal, the first method by which you can attempt to fix the scratches on your treasured timepiece is by hand-polishing it. Apply a small amount of polish to the surface of the watch crystal. Truly, it really doesn’t take much to get the job done.
