Owning a nice watch

Kazzydeyna said:
It could be something as simple as the watch being magnetised. We are surrounded by magnetic fields everywhere we go these days. Anything with a battery is a magnet, any speakers, our phones, all sorts of stuff gives off a magnetic field.
A decent watch maker could service your watch and return it to +/- 2 secs per day in no time.

Personally, with a Rolex I would take it to an AD and have it serviced by Rolex themselves. Some AD’s even have Rolex service centres on site and can turn your watch around in a few weeks. With a Rolex service your watch also gets a full repolish and a new 2-year guarantee. Basically for around £700 dependant on the model, you’re getting what amounts to a brand new watch and a brand new guarantee.
Not sure where you live but if Preston is an option for you there is a jeweller/Rolex AD there that has a service centre on site. It’s called Whittles and I’ve heard it highly recommended.
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Do not get your rolex polished.
Also, insist on no replacement hands, bezel insert, etc.
This will massively devalue your watch.
Keep it original and let it grow old gracefully.
 
crublue1 said:
Do not get your rolex polished.
Also, insist on no replacement hands, bezel insert, etc.
This will massively devalue your watch.
Keep it original and let it grow old gracefully.
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Generally decent advice if you have the right model. A GMT-Master, or an older submariner/daytona or more or less any model from decades ago for sure do as you say. But if it’s a date just or a more everyday/modern model it doesn’t make that big a difference (if polished by a Rolex watchmaker - a non-Rolex watchmaker could easily screw the watch up). If you’re planning to sell the watch someday that is. If you’re not then no harm in having it returned to factory spec aesthetics etc.
 
Kazzydeyna said:
Generally decent advice if you have the right model. A GMT-Master, or an older submariner/daytona or more or less any model from decades ago for sure do as you say. But if it’s a date just or a more everyday/modern model it doesn’t make that big a difference (if polished by a Rolex watchmaker - a non-Rolex watchmaker could easily screw the watch up). If you’re planning to sell the watch someday that is. If you’re not then no harm in having it returned to factory spec aesthetics etc.
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With respect, and I do respect your watch knowledge and opinions, you can't return a watch case to factory specs or aesthetics by polishing it.
Polishing removes material.
Why would you want to polish your watch away, no matter the value?
Doesn't make sense to me.
Watches get worn, they get scratched. That gives them a patina you can't reproduce. Why polish that away?
Age or value doesn't come into it for me, don't polish your watch.
But each to there own.
 
crublue1 said:
With respect, and I do respect your watch knowledge and opinions, you can't return a watch case to factory specs or aesthetics by polishing it.
Polishing removes material.
Why would you want to polish your watch away, no matter the value?
Doesn't make sense to me.
Watches get worn, they get scratched. That gives them a patina you can't reproduce. Why polish that away?
Age or value doesn't come into it for me, don't polish your watch.
But each to there own.
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I do actually agree with you. From an originality point of view, polishing a watch means it is no longer in original condition, and an amount of material is lost once it is polished, never to return.
I was coming at it from a pov of those who want their watch(es) to look their best (and I understand “best” is subjective - to some, scratches and bumps and bruises ARE the watches best look. To others “best” is a pristine case and bracelet etc).
My Seamaster is knackered to some - full of scratches, and the brushed areas almost shiny now with no difference between the original polished bits and the brushed bits - precisely because I don’t want it touching as it was a special gift from a special person, but I have a Breitling which I have had serviced and wanted it refinished back to as close as possible to ‘factory fresh’.
They are both in their best condition to me, based on what they mean to me.

The one thing I wouldn’t do - and this is a personal opinion only - is let anyone other than those who made the watch, do any sort of meaningful intervention on them.
 
In a difficult period in my personal life, I sought solace in the company of a magnificent Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso. It was magnificent - such a classic, subtle design that wreaked of the care lavished upon it by its maker. When my life turned around, I sold it, but for that period, to own such a classic work brought me much comfort and joy.

 
PragueBlue said:
I wish someone had told that to they guy that was responsible for my Rolex. Gains about 15 mins a month. Shocking really for the money but there's something I still love about it though.
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Had mine repaired by a local, Rolex-trained watchmaker. He found what was wrong. On the outside the winder didn't return, but I knew this!. On the inside an L-shaped bit of metal about two mill by four mill had given up the ghost. He could get parts from Rolex then but they stopped supplying independent jewellers. The little bit cost £100. I was staggered when I saw the original piece. He put it in an evelope and I took it to my benefactor to show him and from the jeweller to his house I'd lost it! It it conks out again it's going back in its box. I'll continue with my £20 Amazon Chinese Apple watch.
 
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