Do you forgive 18k cases with soft edges?

I’m looking at a 60+ year old 18k Dennison cased watch at the moment. I’m curious about what members think is acceptable in terms of soft edges. Do you forgive an 18k watch if it’s not pin sharp because the metal is softer than steel, or do you hold the same expectation for both?

An unmolested gold case is quite rare. I don't mind if it's blunted a little but if it's so buffed that it looks melted, then I pass it by.

That's definitely a tough one to say. Its really going to be up to each person and collector to decide the limits of which they are willing to accept a less than stellar example. Me personally, after my first watch purchase, have attempted to purchase unpolished. As you get into the very rare and upper echelons of collecting that is near impossible though.

Don't settle. It'll take time, but a case in the condition you want will eventually come up.

It'll cost you, though. Although it'll cost less than If you compromise and buy 3 examples and sell them, before buying the one you really wanted.

Yes, I sense I would get buyer’s remorse quickly if I was not careful.

I look at the watch in its entirety. I have 3 solid gold watches and only one is what I would call super sharp - a 1952 Hamilton Fleetwood. My favorite is reasonably sharp (1963 Omega Century) and the 1949 Omega Dennison is my least favorite, although I still like it. The watches that were worn and appreciated the most, back in the day saw regular service and were often polished as part of the service. Most owners did not care and just enjoyed having a nice watch. The number of collectors has created intense competition for sharp, pristine cases which has led to quite a premium so only you can decide the value that a given watch represents to you. I could have purchased 3 of the Dennison case watches for the price I paid for the Century but I really wanted the Century.