Is It Okay to Polish My Wristwatch?
In 2011, a Rolex 6062, a rare sought-after gold case calendar watch, was sold for nearly a million dollars. The watch was notable for its case, and it was incredibly oxidized. It barely looked like it was made from gold and had a glimmering presence that would awe-struck anyone.
Two weeks earlier, Sotheby's sold a similar reference but with a gold case that was glimmering under the sun and in the dark. This watch appeared to be in a better condition than the Rolex 6062, but it sold for only $62,500.
So why did the oxidized watch sold thousands of dollars more than the gold case watch? There can be several reasons behind it, but the most prominent reason is that the Rolex 6062 hadn't been polished since it was purchased. The watch showed clear signs of wear and tear, and it might make you wonder why someone would pay more for a watch that looks beaten up? Well, the vintage wristwatch industry has come closer to vintage cars and art pieces. And in these industries, originality is king! Therefore, polishing your wristwatch is a big no-no if you ever plan to sell it.
What Is Watch Polishing?
Polishing a watch refers to removing the original layer of a watch to mask apparent scratches, dents, and scuffs. On the other hand, over-polishing a watch damages its shape and architecture. You might want to avoid polishing your watch if you want to preserve its uniqueness and originality. However, some people prefer to keep their watches in pristine condition and prefer watch polishing.
Why Shouldn't You Polish Your Watch
Besides completely destroying your watch's market worth and resale, you also ruin its original texture and design. When you polish a wristwatch, you naturally remove its original texture and design. This is because polishing adds an extra layer of chemicals that mask wear and tear by covering it with a different texture.
Your watch might look brand new on the surface, but you won't get a penny from it at a pawnshop. An expert watchmaker can tell the difference between an original watch and a polished one. Moreover, polishing materials aren't close to the genuine color and chemical coat. So you are removing an original one-of-a-kind color with a cheap second-hand one.
1. Polishing Alters the Shape of Your Watch
Besides devaluing your watch, polishing can also alter the shape of your watch. Since watch polishing is done through machinery that rubs a brush at a fast speed against your watch, it alters the architecture of your wristwatch. Its prime example can be found on the Watch Guy
, who shared pictures of his watch after polish and its lugs completely disappeared. The results were shocking, and the watch was no longer as valuable as before. Moreover, the original lines of the watch were completely removed, and the lug became so weak that it would break if the watch got caught into something. For the full story, you can visit the blog post.
2. Over Polishing Will Round Sharp Edges
So you thought it would be a good idea to polish your watch because it has been ages since your watch shined under the sun. Well, you need to think twice before you decide to polish your watch. Because if your watch is over polished, you will risk losing its sharp edges. The edge of the case is a part of your watch's architecture and uniqueness. There are some horror stories online related to watch polishing. Many people have shared their experiences, and most of them are bad.
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However, if you still want to polish your watch, you should refer to an experienced watch polishing service. They will take good care of your watch and hopefully not ruin it. Moreover, you shouldn't polish more than once if you want to preserve what is left of your watch after the first polish. Most people believe in polishing their wristwatch every year, which ultimately destroys their watch's shape, color, layer, and architecture.
3. Poor Polishing Could Cause Even More Scratches
Sometimes watch polishing can cause more scratches than it removes. When a watch is polished, its parts are removed and then rubbed against a fast-moving brush. The speed of the brush attached to the polishing machine is so fast that it removes metal when it makes contact. If the watch is over polished or not held steady under the machine, the watch might collect more scratches. It can lead to a devastating loss since you lost the original architecture in hopes of removing scratches and ended up collecting more. It's a nightmare that you can't recover from.
Should I Polish My Watch?
All the information that we shared above explains the downside of polishing your watch. So much so that you will lose thousands of dollars on a gold watch when you decide to sell it as a vintage piece. However, if you still want to polish your watch, then we won't stop you. But in our opinion, watch polishing only ruins your watch beyond repair.
Should I Polish My Stainless Steel Wood Watch?
There isn't much need to polish stainless steel wood watches. Wood looks gorgeous with a few scratches, and the stainless steel part is so minimum that you won't notice any scratches. Plus, stainless steel wood watches age gracefully over time. Their value multiplies and if you take it to a watch service shop, make sure you don't check "watch polishing" because if you do, you might lose the strength of the wood used in your stainless steel wood watch.
If you are looking to stay unique and mysterious, try stainless steel wood watches at Stuniii. Stuniii is one of the leading makers of stainless steel wood watches. We use premium quality material in designing our products. If you are interested in buying a unique watch that leaves a lasting impression, browse our collection of some of the finest stainless steel wood watches online.