Some people here might be upset, but yesterday I gave my late grandfathers OP a light manual polish. I know most people are against a polish for a vintage watch, but I think the result looks great... The reason I did it is because now the gold on the crown (replaced during service), case and hands is a better match. Also, the case just next to the crown was very dull and much darker, everything has an even color now. I've been very gentle with a cape cod cloth, not too much pressure, not too long. The tiny scratches are still there (i don't mind those), but the color is even, bright & shiny again. For me this looks like the perfect dress watch, what do you think? FYI, the wath is almost 40y old and runs great! This is how it looks like: Some 'before' pictures:
You did just fine and it’s beautiful. I do the same with the cape cod on finer metals with uneven or tarnished case finishes, or use mothers on a Q-tip and soft cloth to buff on stainless (just don’t get that stuff near a brushed finish-it will make that shiny too). Light hand buffing doesn’t remove any material and just evens out a finish after a scrub or untrasonic. As long as you avoid the buffing wheel, I don’t think anyone will chastise you.
Tnx! No way mechanical buffing will touch this watch... When it goes to service (RCS) I explicitely ask to not polish the watch. And they never did...
That’s got the engine turned bezel- didn’t even see that in the other pics- nice! I’m not a gold guy, but I would wear the crap out of that watch.
When my grandfather passed, the agreement was that i would wear the watch, not store it in a closet or something like that! So I do... But not as an everyday watch This holidays, my father passed his 16600 Sea-Dweller to me (he bought a DSSD). Also with two conditions... never sell it and wear it I rotate these two with my Seamaster and TAG Heuer Aquaracer. I guess I'm very lucky two own two family pieces... Also a Sea-Dweller was kind of a grail watch to me! (but not the current ones with a cyclops, should NOT be there on a Sea-Dweller) You can expect a post on the 16600 when I have some time.