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Thoughts on Polishing on this Speedmaster 3592.50

charleswonjun
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Hi guys,

I've just purchased my first vintage Speedmaster online, an early 90s Speedmaster 3592.50 with box and papers for about 6k. I feel like I've made a bad rookie mistake... I haven't received the watch yet, but I'm just now realizing that both the bracelet and case looks pretty polished in the photos. The bracelet doesn't look like it has any scratches at all. And unlike the other listings on the website, this particular watch does not mention having left left the watch unfinished.

I still have time to cancel the transaction. Is this something you guys would recommend purchasing given that it comes with box and signed papers? Or has the polishing simply ruined the value of the watch?

Attached are a couple of photos:
Screen%20Shot%202021-04-13%20at%2011.56.33%20PM.png
Screen%20Shot%202021-04-13%20at%2011.56.01%20PM.png
Screen%20Shot%202021-04-13%20at%2011.55.27%20PM.png
Screen%20Shot%202021-04-13%20at%2011.54.59%20PM.png
 
Screen Shot 2021-04-13 at 11.56.33 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-04-13 at 11.54.59 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-04-13 at 11.56.01 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-04-13 at 11.55.27 PM.png
SkunkPrince
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First of all, "polishing" is so misused on this forum, I have to protest!

It is used for a generic term for "refinish the case to factory specification" on one end of a continuum to "use a buffing wheel to destroy a case becase you're a moron."

If the watch you show is yours, it is not ruined. If it has been refinished, either the factory or authorized service center did the refinish.

You did not fail and you have (in my opinion) nothing to complain about!

Enjoy your watch and stop looking for reasons to be unhappy.
 
wsfarrell
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Case looks very nice, and the (slightly) coarse satin finish on the bracelet clasp is easily remedied if you want to.
 
Rado63
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I feel one problem of buying any watch, whether "vintage" or "current" if it is being sold by a dealer, then often the dealer has no accurate history. If the dealer got the watch from the original owner and had original paper work and complete history then you have information. Yes this watch looks polished, but how does it compare to similar pieces in terms of vintage, condition, completeness of paperwork? Does it have the correct bracelet, end links, correct number of links, original dial, hands, bezel? what box and what is signed paperwork? Are you going to wear the watch versus to put it in a safe? Those are all details that you need to determine before buying a piece. Many vintage watch buyers will purchase multiple pieces of the same reference over time. Each purchase is going after a more perfect piece. More expensive and more complete set, and closer to original condition.
 
charleswonjun
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
First of all, "polishing" is so misused on this forum, I have to protest!

It is used for a generic term for "refinish the case to factory specification" on one end of a continuum to "use a buffing wheel to destroy a case becase you're a moron."

If the watch you show is yours, it is not ruined. If it has been refinished, either the factory or authorized service center did the refinish.

You did not fail and you have (in my opinion) nothing to complain about!

Enjoy your watch and stop looking for reasons to be unhappy.
Interesting. Apologies for the misuse of the word. So contrary to what some posts on the forum may imply, refinishing isn't always a bad thing on a vintage watch? If it is done correctly, can the watch still be an "honest" one?
 
LuckyLes
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It looks fine to me, doesn't look over polished, but nicely presented. Once you get it in your hand and can see it in person, I think you will be really happy. Put up some photos of the watch when you have it.
 
charleswonjun
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Rado63 Rado63
I feel one problem of buying any watch, whether "vintage" or "current" if it is being sold by a dealer, then often the dealer has no accurate history. If the dealer got the watch from the original owner and had original paper work and complete history then you have information. Yes this watch looks polished, but how does it compare to similar pieces in terms of vintage, condition, completeness of paperwork? Does it have the correct bracelet, end links, correct number of links, original dial, hands, bezel? what box and what is signed paperwork? Are you going to wear the watch versus to put it in a safe? Those are all details that you need to determine before buying a piece. Many vintage watch buyers will purchase multiple pieces of the same reference over time. Each purchase is going after a more perfect piece. More expensive and more complete set, and closer to original condition.
Thanks for your advice. Yes, I'm learning this the hard way because I was impatient. I bought from a reputable seller online at a slight premium and just assumed everything would be honest and correct. Thanks, it's really cool to know how collectors pursue perfection.
 
A
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Get it and enjoy it as others have said. Almost all vintage watches that you see will have been finished at some point. Anyone who says otherwise either is first owner and knows full history or doesn't really know and thinks its 'unpolished'.
 
Archer
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charleswonjun charleswonjun
Interesting. Apologies for the misuse of the word. So contrary to what some posts on the forum may imply, refinishing isn't always a bad thing on a vintage watch? If it is done correctly, can the watch still be an "honest" one?

You didn’t misuse the word...you didn’t do anything wrong. If polishing is a bad thing is entirely up to you. Many here do not want overly polished watches, and Skunkprince makes a point to push back on such things for whatever reason.

Personally I ignore claims with regards to polishing, and just look at the condition of the watch, and see if it matches my expectations for the price being asked. Claims of a vintage watch never being polished are mostly nonsense.
 
SkunkPrince
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Archer Archer
Skunkprince makes a point to push back on such things for whatever reason.
Because not all case refinishing is evil, and to make a blanket statement that it is does competent watchmakers and people who prefer it a disservice.

I had a CMW obliterate a case in pretty good condition with a buffer, so badly that I bought a new case for the watch, so I know what a bad job looks like. I've also had watches refinished by Omega (at least the Miami service center didn't screw that up...), Netbit's, and my local watchmaker, with very good results.

People are wise to fear a bad refinish... but not all refinish is bad.
 
Archer
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
People are wise to fear a bad refinish... but not all refinish is bad.

Trust me, I'm not a believer in "all refinish is bad" but you should consider toning down your rhetoric if you have people apologizing for asking simple questions as a result of your posts.

I know you have an "anti-collector mentality" agenda here, but honestly it's getting tired.
 
gbesq
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The watch looks fine to me. Lovely patina. The only comment that I’ll make is that 6k seems rather steep to me for this reference. Maybe other OF members will chime in and let me know if I’m being unrealistic as to current market prices.
 
amcclell
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6k for this reference in the condition it is in seems fair to me to me from a dealer. These 1980's - 90's have gone up over the past few years.
 
charleswonjun
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Archer Archer
You didn’t misuse the word...you didn’t do anything wrong. If polishing is a bad thing is entirely up to you. Many here do not want overly polished watches, and Skunkprince makes a point to push back on such things for whatever reason.

Personally I ignore claims with regards to polishing, and just look at the condition of the watch, and see if it matches my expectations for the price being asked. Claims of a vintage watch never being polished are mostly nonsense.

Hello Archer,
I have a question regarding a watch maker or seller's decision refinish a watch. The online seller has confirmed that the watch I have purchased has indeed been lightly refinished by the seller. There are however, other listings on the website that explicitly state that the watch has been cleaned but left un-refinished since being acquired by the seller. Maybe there is no general answer here, but when would one decide to refinish vs leave un-refinished? I don't understand why my watch would have been polished while some of the other watches were left proudly displaying their imperfections. The seller didn't have a good answer. Could you shed some light on this matter?
 
Archer
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charleswonjun charleswonjun
Hello Archer,
I have a question regarding a watch maker or seller's decision refinish a watch. The online seller has confirmed that the watch I have purchased has indeed been lightly refinished by the seller.

Well, I'm not the one to ask...as only the person who is selling would know.

charleswonjun charleswonjun
The seller didn't have a good answer.

So the seller doesn't know why he refinished the watch? That would be strange.

So if we leave aside watch "sellers" for a minute, for watch owners there are people out there who can't stand having any mark on a watch, so those people tend to get them refinished. Other don't really care, so they don't get refinished. There's nothing more to it than that.

As a matter of policy, I default to not refinishing watches, but if someone wants me to refinish it, I'll do it. There's no real technical reason to refinish a watch...
 
YY77
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charleswonjun charleswonjun
I don't understand why my watch would have been polished while some of the other watches were left proudly displaying their imperfections.
although not a speedy I wanted to share a before and after pic because I wanted this watch I own back to new with a factory refinish.
image.jpeg image.jpeg
 
charleswonjun
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Archer Archer
Well, I'm not the one to ask...as only the person who is selling would know.



So the seller doesn't know why he refinished the watch? That would be strange.

So if we leave aside watch "sellers" for a minute, for watch owners there are people out there who can't stand having any mark on a watch, so those people tend to get them refinished. Other don't really care, so they don't get refinished. There's nothing more to it than that.

As a matter of policy, I default to not refinishing watches, but if someone wants me to refinish it, I'll do it. There's no real technical reason to refinish a watch...
The customer representative couldn't tell me why the seller's watch maker had decided to re-finish this particular watch. I asked whether if she could ask the watch maker for some information, but she seemed reluctant to give me that information so I didn't pursue further. I feel like I shouldn't over think this given the information you've provided, but could this have been for corrective purposes? Maybe the watch was acquired very badly (?) polished with parts of the watch looking inconsistent with the rest of the watch?

Charlie
 
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