To Polish or Not to Polish Your Watch | Bob's Watches

In this video, we talk all about polishing luxury watches and whether or not you should polish your Rolex watch. Click here to shop all luxury watches: https://www.bobswatches.com/luxury-wa...

Want more information about polishing as it pertains to luxury watches and whether or not you should polish your Rolex? Click here to read our complete Luxury Watch Polishing Guide: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blo...

Polishing watches can be a tricky topic because personal preference plays a huge factor and there is no right or wrong answer for all scenarios. However, there are certain things that are important to know so that you can make the right decision when it comes time to polish (or not to polish) your watch.

What is polishing?
Polishing is the process of altering the surfaces of components to achieve a desired effect. There are many different types of polishing techniques, but the two most common that you will see are high-polishing (glossy mirror-like effect) and brushing (matte satin-finished texture). While there are many different types of techniques, the vast majority of them involve removing tiny layers of surface material, which is why polishing a watch is not something you can do at home and should only be performed by an experienced professional.

Who can polish a watch?
To properly polish a watch, the movement needs to be taken out and the case disassembled. Both the disassembly process and the actual polishing process itself require specialized tools and equipment, and even jewelers that are highly experienced at polishing may not have all the necessary tools to disassemble and reassemble your luxury watch.

It is recommended to only ever have your watch polished by a watchmaker or specialist. Unlike jewelry, the case of a watch needs to be able to be sealed properly, and a bad polishing job can permanently alter the shape of components and prevent them from functioning. Polishing is often included with service, and many repair centers will polish your watch at no extra cost.

A properly conducted polish can remove years of wear, leaving a watch looking brand-new. However, not everyone wants to have a brand-new looking watch and in some instances, polishing a watch can actually decrease its value.

Should you polish a watch?
The right answer to this question can depend on the type of watch but it ultimately comes down to whether you want a brand-new looking watch or one that shows signs of age. If you own a watch that is around 15 years old and has already been polished before, then there is no real harm in having it polished again to restore its appearance.

However, if you own a collectible vintage watch like a Rolex Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master that has never been polished since it was brand-new in the 1960s, then polishing it can actually significantly detract from its resale value.

Many vintage collectors prefer unpolished watches to ones that look brand-new. This is because it is rare to find a watch that has existed for over half a century without ever being polished, and this ‘untouched’ condition is a big part of their value and collectibility. Additionally, some collectors prefer to leave their watches unpolished because they like how an unpolished watch reflects the life that it has lived, with each mark telling a story.

How often should you polish a watch and what can you expect?
Polishing involves the removal of tiny layers of material, so it is crucial that you do not have your watch polished too often, as this can wear down its components. It is generally recommended to only have your watch polished when you are getting it serviced, as this will help guarantee that it will only be performed by professionals with the proper tools and equipment. Furthermore, since polishing is often included with service, this also saves you the additional expense of paying for it separately.

It also is important to note that not all signs of wear can be remedied by polishing. Most scratches and scuffs can all be easily removed, but deep scratches or dents cannot be completely remedied by a polish.

It is important to note that you can’t really ever “un-polish” a watch. Therefore, if you are considering a polish, it may be best to wait until you are sure that you actually want to have it done. For most watches, it will have very little (if any) impact on value, but it is still important to have all the information so that you can make the best decision possible.

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