Polished Cases

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andy57
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Polished Cases

Post by andy57 »

Browsing various places where vintage watches are for sale, and especially noticing the Hodinkee "what's selling where" feature on Fridays, I notice that in the description of vintage watches there will often be a reference to whether or not the case has been polished, with the obvious implication that polishing is bad.

Why is that? Why is a polished case a bad thing? How much value can you wipe off of a vintage watch by polishing the case?
Omega ref 3570.50, ref 2908.50.38, ref 233.32.41.21.01.001
Rolex ref 16750, ref 6422, ref 114300, ref 1680
Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant
Longines Triple-date Moonphase
Christopher Ward C9 JH Mark II, C11 MSL Vintage
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Mr Rick
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Re: Polished Cases

Post by Mr Rick »

I can't speak for all vintage watches, but vintage Heuers have a 'sunburst' or 'starburst' finish. Polishing can remove that finish. Mild polishing can be repaired, but the original finish is always preferred.

Polishing can effect the value greatly for some, as repair/restoration is costly.

My Heuer "Viceoy" has been polished.

Image


My Montreal has the original finish.

Image
Rick


Various vintage Heuers
CW C8 Pilot MK I and II, 2011 and 13 FLEs, C5 B of B and Malvern Aviator MK II, C11 MSL MK I, C70 DBR1, C60 and C60 GMT, C9 Harrison, C9 Chrono, C10 Aviator
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Waerla
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Re: Polished Cases

Post by Waerla »

To add to what Rick says, the crispness of edges will also be lost as sharp edges will get rounded you can just see it in Ricks photos. Also if you are talking about a Gold Plated watch which only has about 20 microns of plating to start with polishing will make that thinner by an amount commensurate with the carat value i.e higher carat is softer so will be worn more by polishing.
C1 'Russell' , C4 'Peregrine', C40-IPK 'Speedhawk', C5 FLE #62/75, C5A, C60, C60 GMT, C7, C70 GB #150/200, C70 VW4 #427/1957, C70 'HRDC', C11 'HRDC', C11 Extreme #408/1000, C80 UK, C80 US
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