How much does a light polish affect value?

C

Posts

108

Likes

77

chipotlefire

·Jan 13, 2022

Images: https://imgur.com/a/4hakQlx

3590.50

The bevel edge on the top lugs seem relatively sharp still (?) but I'm new to this.

I do not own this, am considering it.

Thanks for any help

 

Posts

1,072

Likes

1,480

Dgercp

·Jan 13, 2022

The degree of polish can be hard to judge with pics alone. For instance in the first pic the right upper lug looks sharp but the left upper lug looks less sharp, may just be how the pic was taken? Overall, these lugs seem pretty good to me and would not affect value much. Not many unpolished speedies around. An overly polished case will severely lessen value. But, everyone has their own threshold with cases.

 

Posts

8,701

Likes

14,604

efauser

·Jan 13, 2022

C chipotlefire

Images: https://imgur.com/a/4hakQlx

3590.50

The bevel edge on the top lugs seem relatively sharp still (?) but I'm new to this.

I do not own this, am considering it.

Thanks for any help

Please post photos, not just links.

 

Posts

5,636

Likes

5,791

SkunkPrince

·Jan 13, 2022

Buyer's desires can make the world of difference so much that I don't think there is necessarily a rule. A 40-year old watch without a mark certainly implies some sort of intervention, and many will balk at that. As a buyer, you need to make the best choice for you. I agree that these pictures don't reallly show much.

 

Posts

9,041

Likes

46,779

gbesq

·Jan 13, 2022

A light polish - done properly - will not seriously devalue the watch, although many collectors will reject even a lightly polished example. Properly done means that the edges and chamfers of the case and lugs remain sharp. Omega service centers generally get it right, but should be avoided for other reasons if you have a vintage watch and want it to retain its character. As for independent watchmakers, it’s a gamble - some do it well, others do it poorly. When in doubt, don’t polish at all.

 

Posts

5,636

Likes

5,791

SkunkPrince

·Jan 13, 2022

My current local watchmaker does it very well. A CMW I used to know ruined a case....

 

Posts

13,002

Likes

51,889

Larry S

·Jan 13, 2022·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

It’s fine.

 

Posts

20,545

Likes

47,367

Dan S

·Jan 13, 2022

You really need to judge these cases from the side.

 

C

Posts

108

Likes

77

chipotlefire

·Jan 13, 2022

Dan S

You really need to judge these cases from the side.

 

C

Posts

108

Likes

77

chipotlefire

·Jan 13, 2022

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Posts

20,545

Likes

47,367

Dan S

·Jan 13, 2022

The sharpness (or lack of sharpness) of the edge between the brushed side and polished beveled facet is one of the best ways to judge the extent of polishing. When it is razor sharp, the case is generally unpolished. When the edge is softened and rounded, it indicates polishing.

An extreme comparison from speedmaster101 (https://speedmaster101.com/8-case-polish/)

Edited: Jan 13, 2022

 

Posts

5,504

Likes

8,593

Mark020

·Jan 14, 2022·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Light: -/- 12.4%, moderate: -/- 27.8%, heavy: -/-47.56%. Ballpark that is.

On a serious note: very hard to put concrete numbers on this

 

Posts

398

Likes

348

nkhandekar

·Jan 16, 2022

Its a case by case situation...