How to Tell if a Rolex Watch is Polished or Unpolished?

How can you know if a Rolex watch is unpolished or polished? Here are my methods.
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[@naughtynightlifeasia857]

I think what you have to remember is that a watch is a mechanical object that occasional needs servicing, the same as a car. You wouldn’t drive a car with dents in so what a watch? I see no issue with polishing or laser welding as long as it’s done well.

[@986C]

This is excellent. Not many have an eye for this and can verbalize and demonstrate as you have. Bravo.

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks - I really appreciate that!

[@glennrainey1227]

Super, informative video Austin. For sure, a beautiful piece. A good call picking it up - and you can wear it without concerns; it has already earned its very minor blemishes retaining near perfection.

[@pardus8panthera5]

Thank You for this post. Extremely helpful & educational.

[@Giovan_Nino]

Hi Austin. Thanks, a really useful video for those not used to spotting the wear and unevenness created during a polishing. Its also useful to see the evenness of the depth of the external spring bar holes. These can also show how much of the metal has been removed.always assuming you have the correct spring bars.👍

[@philw4053]

That can be misleading though as springbars are not machined to the same tolerances as the case. Sure if your springbar ends are standing proud of the case that's a strong indication. But small variations side to side can be expected.

[@larrysimon1]

Good advice ................great Vid Austin.

[@razfan]

Very informative, thank you!

[@billtodd7693]

Very instructive. Thanks!!!!

[@lastminute2607]

awesome video. such a great piece you found! super helpful. I think lugs are important but equally important is the polishing, condition and shape of the crown guards. those get destroyed in a bad polish or when its overpolished.

[@bradrickelman8693]

Very informative and I am envious as I am looking at the same (version) model...when you showed the video on it I thought 'that's a good deal/watch' - and sure enough you bit on it!

[@DrRolexPhD]

Great video! The most important yet most overlooked aspect of pre-ceramic Rolex buying. Another thing to look for: back chamfers. Those beautiful, beautiful back chamfers.

[@michaelfierman3256]

I was sure i'd see you here!

[@chendavid3806]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@ShambaBasher]

Great Austin, really useful. Thank you.

[@watchsymposium]

Thank you. I remember you from the live show - good to see you! Enjoy your D serial GMT!

[@DennisC_X]

Really useful video, learned a lot!

[@watchsymposium]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pickledramps3296]

Great video. Very informative. Would love to see similar analysis of cases that show signs of various degree of polish

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Great score Austin!

[@h.google]

Excellent video Austin, thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. It looks like you've found a beautiful Sea Dweller, it would be nice to see the bracelet when you have a moment and how you fixed it. 👏👏🇬🇧

[@watchsymposium]

Thank you! And no problem - the next video has the bracelet in it, and is more of a general rundown of the piece. I had the bracelet off to clean it, so decided to do do this video while that was going on. But you'll be seeing the bracelet before it was cleaned.

[@aumkar2]

Excellent video, Austin!

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Aumkar!

[@dooks85]

Nice pick-up Austin. This watch is frickin beautiful. I wish I had your knowledge in the watch game. I just shopped a 116710ln and could have used your help!

[@watchsymposium]

Thank you! Enjoy your new watch - that's a very cool piece!

[@sanjivrpatel]

Brilliant stuff!

[@imranchowdhury4972]

Great video, love you.

[@dr.raymond4337]

Nice anatomy lesson. Always unique to see a Rolex with writing on the case back/

[@watchsymposium]

Many thanks!

[@christ6874]

Great video Austin! With current model Rolexes going for sky high prices, I believe demand for these 5-digit pieces are going to rise as they’re still “affordable”. I once had a dealer tell me that a Kermit wasn’t polished yet I couldn’t find any chamfers on any lugs. People need to be educated about what they’re spending their precious dollars on and not be hoodwinked by irresponsible dealers. Having said all that, it’s near impossible to find an unpolished piece and I decided to pull the trigger on a Swiss Only 16610 even though it had gone through RSC and obviously polished. The consolation is that they did a good job maintaining most of the case intact. You’re really lucky to find that 16600, as soon as Japan allows tourists again, I’d love to go Rolex-hunting with you. 👍

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Chris - let me know, and we'll hit the shops. The 16610 has really shot up recently. I found one a few months ago with a Swiss only dial, full set, and two service cards from RSC. I'm not so bothered by RSC polishes because they do such a good job, and was keeping track of this piece...well, it was snapped up less than 4 or 5 days later. It was less than 1 million Yen, and since then they've gone up by 2-3 grand USD - and that's for the cheapest one, no box and papers!

[@CaptainCock-Strong]

I bet Austin could give a presentation on what to look for on turkey Bacon and I would learn something. Great video Austin.

[@watchsymposium]

Lol, thanks!

[@986C]

The gas escape valve on the 16600 should be matte grey and not polished. That’s a tell-tale sign for sure on Sea-Dwellers.

[@Laguna2013]

Should it be matte grey on the 116600 as well?

[@winenvine]

Good video, thanks! I have found the sound is very low, I had to turn up my computer volume to 80% to hear you. The same on the TV.

[@WatchJapan]

A seriously helpful video...

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Carlos - glad to hear that!

[@daisuke4890]

austin interesting video about polish/no polish of the case but don't forget the dial and hands, which is where 90% of the value is! .

[@jonathansmith283]

AD- @ how much would to cost to have RSC change a dial on a 31mm OP ? my wife has a pink dial , only 6 mos old.. thinking how would a turquoise dial look ? would RSC keep the pink dial, if you know . ( NYC area ). ~ JDS/CT

[@bigupthebeast]

Sorry I overvalued this watch I thought it was mint condition some people like chips and dents but I like perfection you have to send these too Rolex for service a new bezel service snd crystal and pressure test are about 1200 euros in the EU but not sure of US prices

[@Tone_Jammer]

I have 4 pre ceramics and I think they've all been polished to some extent, honestly doesn't bother me. Got them all at gr8 prices and they were bought to wear. Think this stuff borders on OCD tbh

[@folipan]

Love this sea dweller, but I think the 666 is the true real deal transition model. Such a beautiful beast!

[@jacobelx5841]

Another great video on such a beautiful piece! How do you feel about small chips on the edge of the crystal? Would you keep them as is or have the crystal replaced?

[@watchsymposium]

Thank you! If the chips were really getting to me, I'd have the crystal replaced at the next service. Just a few years ago, the replacement crystals had a little "S" for service in the laser etched crown, but apparently they've stopped doing that. So, now a new crystal could pass as an original one.

[@jacobelx5841]

@@watchsymposium Oh they did? Learned something new again. Thank you!

[@WMDZone]

Good video Austin! Can you make a video showing your worst polished piece for comparison?

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks! It's a bit rambly and bumbly, but you can see my worst polished piece here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWGmpJqipqp4adE (and to be fair, it's really not that bad!)

[@wizzzard0891]

Nice Swiss Only Dial 💪🏼

[@charlestillery6327]

Austin,enjoyed your program.a dumb question,what yr is this Timepiece? I notice the printing on case,I think only my JC deep sea has printing,on case.

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Charles - A serials are usually listed as 1999. The papers show it was sold in 1999 (in Copenhagen).

[@Nathan.W1696]

great video! Question about Rakuten listings: are Rakuten listings the end all be all for a specific model? Like, are there places that will sell that model but not have an online shop on Rakuten? thanks in advance!

[@watchsymposium]

Appreciate that, Nathan. I think some shops don't advertise on Rakuten. And some shops that do, don't put all their pieces on the site.

[@stevejukic8166]

Great video. Unfortunately today even polished Rolex are being advertised and sold as NOS: new old stock

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Steve. I agree - I think if a watch looks new enough, some shops try and get away with doing that.

[@thesouthernwatchcollector8948]

Austin Congrats on your new watch it is very cool pre-supper case Rolex .one non Rolex I learned this that I am sure you already know. Is that on the Tudor tiger Hydronaut’s with a white dial have there hands painted black like a white dial Explorer 2 they did not paint the lume marks black which is interesting but they did the hands. I purchased one of the white dial Hydronaut’s this week full set even had the hang tag with the original price. It is not a GMT like my Explorer 2 the hands and dial did remind me of my Explorer. Just thought it was cool. Again congratulations on your new watch and keep up the great work as always.

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks William, and congratulations on your new watch too. I check the Hydronauts here often - they're by far my favorite Tudor. The white dial versions are really nice, and I've seen them with both silver hands and black ones, but I think the black ones really pop. White dial watches with black painted hands is a really nice aesthetic!

[@sluny1]

Thank you for the video. Would have been really helpful if you showed a polished piece and what it looks like for each of the described areas if it was polished.

[@watchsymposium]

Great suggestion!

[@thinlinechris]

Pls tell me you did a vid of the ultrasonic clean of the bracelet

[@watchsymposium]

I ended up foregoing the ultrasonic cleaner in favor of just soap and water, but I'll cover that in a more general video about this watch which is on the way.

[@gregsaga682]

Thanks for the great information. Really useful!

[@watchsymposium]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mfabiani115]

How do you feel about a watch that had been polished in the past but has since been laser welded to build back the material and chamfers recut to factory spec ?

[@watchsymposium]

I'm too much of a purist for it. But having seen the results, I was amazed - it was scarily good!

[@DonYang73]

Its silly to ask if it was polished. Steel watches especially pre own will be 99% polished to retain its good looks. Whats more important is that the design profile is maintained. The moment someone asks me if my watch is polished, i know immediately he is a noob. You made all the right points on this issue of polishing. The thickness and symmetry of the case and lugs are the most important aspects, polished or not.

[@RAJohnson713]

Maybe its just me but unpolished watches always look "sharper" which equals a better looking watch

[@DoctorAB282]

Congrats wear it in good health nice watch 🙏

[@emersonc2136]

Austin, is it Ok to ask the shop to remove the bracelet so one can inspect thoroughly like you do?

[@watchsymposium]

I've never done it, but I think it's a very reasonable request. I bet they'd be fine with it.

[@kls1912]

Hi Austin this is a nice condition 16600. I think it was unpolished at first sight but I can tell you it has been polished but very well done. If you look at the polished edges of the wat you can see the surfaces are not completely sharp and flat. An unpolished watch would have these surfaces sharp and flat.

[@markfox7895]

I think you are right. The sides should be flat. I know as I polish these things. I work in a pre loved watch store.

[@michaelp3010]

Ever since I started watching your videos some years ago I have become paranoid of polished watches. I have a zero tolerance to polishing, and wouldn't service my exp2 at rsc in case they ignored my request to not polish.

[@watchsymposium]

I'm paranoid about that too. I confirm it like 2 or 3 times - ever since I heard a story of a guy in Britain that took his Kermit to RSC, requested it not be polished, and then it came back with "Bexley Bevels"!

[@kls1912]

@@watchsymposium But Rolex arranged that by providing a brand new case with the original serial number on the watch so the story ended well!

[@admiralcraddock464]

Very informative. If i was buying an old watch I'd not be too bothered about it being polished just as long as it had been done carefully. After all if i was buying a classic car i wouldn't want it looking like it had never had a clean.

[@mintychris1]

Just like classic cars, an unrestored Ferrari GTO with original patina but in good condition is worth more than one that has been restored.

[@BiffTannenBTTF]

Nice ASMR video lol.

[@ericl755]

Honestly, if the watch has been serviced only 1 time and polished 1 time by rolex themselve I don t see any pb. Keep in mind Austin that this youngtimer is 20+ years old and get serviced+polished 1 time by rolex is not à bad thing, I rather say it s a good thing because for sûre rolex has thé adéquat tools and technics to polish their own watches 😉

[@watchsymposium]

Rolex does do an amazing job. And there's something really nice about getting a piece back looking perfect...it's even more satisfying when RSC rectifies a less than stellar polishing job, like they did with my 14060.

[@thehairlesspersian3273]

An RSC or quality polish is fine and what you want for your watch to look great, but an unskilled or overly polished piece really stands out in a bad way. If I’m sending a watch in for service and paying hundreds, then I want it coming back to me like a new watch, not second hand. All personal preference and opinion, good video 👍🏼

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks! And I hear what you're saying, and agree - it's all about personal preference.

[@MikeOBrien1945]

IMHO as long as the watch has the original parts, polishing done correctly, doesn’t bother me one bit.

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

Thanks austin 👏 You really killing it by feeding starving kids through rolex charity trust foundation 😔👏♥️

[@samuelboonkhenglee8374]

❤

[@craigmcbride526]

Love your videos and your SD Austin but you need to get out more 😂😂❤

[@ivanmejia6843]

Great video, helpful to recognize other brands as well if they're polished. I prefer a dinged, dirty, scratched watch that's unpolished over a new looking, clean, polished piece anytime of the day. The original architecture is preserved.

[@ec5359]

ITS BEEN POLISHED ;D

[@boriszapanta9258]

Is this your new watch purchase?

[@watchsymposium]

Yes, it is.

[@boriszapanta9258]

Wow this is a great addition to your collection

[@watchsymposium]

Thanks Boris!

[@boriszapanta9258]

I have a question Austin?When buying older Rolex models like you do,.Is it safe to buy models without box and papers? Or just Watches with box but no papers or vice versa. What do you think? Thanks

[@watchsymposium]

@@boriszapanta9258 What concerns me about a piece without papers is the possibility that it was stolen - ripped of someone's wrist. The chances of a full set being a stolen is far less, so that makes them safer.

[@mistofuzzy]

Doesnt Rolex polish watches when they service them? If there’s something wrong with it, why does the manufacturer do this?

[@watchsymposium]

They’re trying to make it look as new as possible, but it can come at the expense of the original lines on the case. You lose chamfers and bevels when you polish, not to mention metal.

[@ACDandMe]

Sticker doesn’t mean anything. I’ve seen watches with that sticker polished and over polished

[@Rinzorinz]

Its just a watch :p

[@williamlane9844]

The sound quality is dreadful

[@bluein2red423]

Bizarre how a disgustingly dirty sticker on the back of a watch can be seen as a good thing, yuck!

[@johnm5131]

Who cares?? is this a new thing?? Just for reference, The "paul newman REF6263" they just sold for $5.5million was completely restored. They only left a few character marks to give us something to look at. One of my racing partners sat on the Lime Rock hill with paul about 25 years ago and saw his 6263 and it was a disaster. Huge nicks, dents, scuffs and scrapes. Sotheby's still managed to sell it after a polishing. (and BTW, they can add metal back as needed, so lugs can be brought back better than new)

[@watchsymposium]

I'm not sure if it's a new thing. But it took me awhile to start thinking about it, as it's not something I even considered when I got into preowned watches. It's the idea of wanting a piece as close to how it left the factory as possible. It's one dynamic (among many) when you are looking a particular piece, so it's better to know about it than not. As for laser welding, it's an option if you're OK with it, but many purists aren't into it.

[@johnm5131]

@@watchsymposium Agreed. Your point is very valid. The only caveat is that any watch can be made to appear at any level of originality that the seller intends. Which makes much of this moot.

[@justinhamill954]

You got to stop pushing this that watches need to be unpolished. As long as it was polished correctly who cares and I would want a watch that was scratch free that the scratches came from me in the future I'll do every event in every scratch by looking at it and I'll bring you back in time.

[@watchsymposium]

I wish someone had explained to me the desirability of unpolished pieces when I first got into watches! That's my goal: to inform new buyers on this aspect of the preowned market, because it does effect the value. If you're OK with polished watches, that's you. But it ain't me, and I make no apologies for my preferences.

[@mattstevens1820]

Take that sticker off pleeeeeeease