Agreed, overall the angle makes it a bit hard to be sure but from these photos alone I'd say it's in good condition. Yeah, polished probably but in good condition regardless imo.

 

Thanks, I reached out to see if he could provide more pics. I've found myself getting really hung up on crown guards in my search for a 16570. Many are wayyy overpolished. How do these look? -- Thanks for helping lend an eye.

 

Again, polished but not terrible. Put another way, the edges have been softened, but the crown guards remain quite thick.

 

Thanks. I think I'm going to have to find a true unpolished piece to get what I'm looking for. I don't like the softened look.

 

Same here, I only buy never-polished watches now. Takes a while to find them, but it's worth it. A couple of eBay tips:

"unpolished" = polished
"mint" = over-polished

 

Crown guards may be OK, but the bezel looks bad imho (very polished then somewhat rebrushed). I had a sharp expII once, all the charm is in the bezel for me.

 

Same as with Seamaster Pros. The scalloped edge of the bezel is where polishing will show immediately.

 

Very true. Was just explaining this to son-in-law last night.

 

Thanks all, it's great to hear from the good-eye experts. I haven't handled many in person so it's great to hear these perspectives. Last one below, for now, that I'm considering. Thoughts? Do the lugs look thin at the end?

 

Crown guards

 

Crown Guard getting recut

 

I almost purchased a no date sub, i was so much in love with the price and the watch that I've missed the lug hole being oval and almost showing the springbar head above the level of the hole.
My GF saved my ass on that one, the rest of the watch was OK there was obviously some damage to the lug and was ground to oblivion to make it appear better. Since then I have been really cautious about a birth year no date and am still struggling to find one that has not been seriously molested - even worse with EXP II.

 

I’m not sure I’ve seen one this bad- currently being offered on the ‘bay for way too much.

 

Holy smokes, look how the bracelet pins stick out too! The TRF fanatics would have a fit.

Old subs go for stupid money these days.

 

Those lugs are in terrible shape.

 

The problem is that most people (particularly sellers) are obtuse the difference between a nice, well cared for vintage sub, and a clapped out turd like this.

 

Intentionally obtuse.

 

So are these crown guards "well cared" or clapped out I don't think they should be this pointy and thin? Looks like a accident with the polishing wheel to me

 

Pretty rough shape. If priced accordingly, buyer can decide if he can live with it.

 

Yeah, I don't think so (22,5k€). With a proper (i.e. not-service) insert and (much) better case that price would be in my opinion reasonable and correct.

Shame really, the patina/colour of the lume is gorgeous imo.