spotting polished watches

The first step is knowing what an unrefinished case looks like. Once you know what it was like when it first came from the factory, it’s easy to spot hack jobs. What takes more time and experience is refinishing to average and then good standards.

One of the best Omega models to start with are the dogleg Constellation references. Once you've seen a sharp example, it's very easy to distinguish a polished example because the angular lugs are quite refined and the edges are easily polished away. As Davidt notes, while originality is always preferred, case refinishing can be done to a high standard by a professional and isn't necessarily a terrible thing if the case shows significant wear or damage that can be repaired.