Does Re-Finishing affect the value of a Rolex?

[redwatch]

As some of you may have seen, a friend of mine asked me to replace the battery in his 17013 Oysterquartz DateJust. It is up and running now and keeping excellent time. My friend was wondering if I could clean up the watch for him. I used a cape cod and a little sapphire polish on the crystal and it looks much nicer, but it still has a lot of little scratches and in some cases, little nicks in the case.

If I were to re-finish the case and bracelet, would that affect the value of the watch? There is no box or papers, which in my mind, would affect the re-sale value of the watch far more than re-finishing it. Am I thinking correctly here?

Would love some experts advice here.

Thanks!

[freddy333]

If the case is refinished properly, it can increase value. Otherwise, not.

[bruce79]

I would leave any major re-finishing to an Rolex watchmaker...just to be safe.

[Watchmeister]

I will defer to the experts but my rule is never refinish anything Rolex. And the funny thing is no one ruins a good old watch rather than the rolex service center. Swap out an l dial for a t, throw out that silver datewheel....

[fakemaster]

The model itself is what makes it valuable. But yes unless you have the proper tools don't do it yourself.

[HauteHippie]

I will defer to the experts but my rule is never refinish anything Rolex. And the funny thing is no one ruins a good old watch rather than the rolex service center. Swap out an l dial for a t, throw out that silver datewheel....

+1

Never refinish Rolex. The real collectors seek out vintage pieces that have never been polished.

[freddy333]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you, Chief. I believe that most collectors will pay more for a properly refinished/restored watch (at right) than they will for an unpolished watch (at left)

Again, the key is in doing the job right so the watch has its original lines & textures & does not look as if it has been (over-)polished. As long as you are detailed in your requirements (never assume anything), most RSCs can handle this without a problem.

[gtanak]

I think what Chief wanted to emphasize was Vintage. If you were to refinish, or even replace everything worn or old in a vintage... it would never be the same, lest vintage again? Hence, i believe the value will drop rather than appreciate.

[HauteHippie]

"Never polished" is a selling point on VRF. Most collectors aren't looking for restorations. But I suppose you could always do such a good job that you could get away with lying about it. But, in general, I agree with Watchmeister and gtanak.

[Watchmeister]

I am no expert but I can tell you that "untouched" made a vintage piece I have worth an extra $2-3k.On vintage that is clearly the trend. The person loved the fact it hadn't been serviced in 20 years. Go figure.

[gtanak]

Refinishing a real vintage is liken to touching up the colors of a Van Gogh cos it faded a little over time... a bit more red here, a little bluer sky, couple more stars.... AHH.. Art collector suicide

[HauteHippie]

I am no expert but I can tell you that "untouched" made a vintage piece I have worth an extra $2-3k.On vintage that is clearly the trend. The person loved the fact it hadn't been serviced in 20 years. Go figure.

Yep... no question about it. "Unpolished" and "untouched" is what vintage collectors want. Because it's rare. Nowadays it seems most pieces are RSC amalgamations, or worse, seller-created frankens made to look vintage. Unmolested, original owner pieces... NOT easy to find.

[ubiquitous]

Unpolished, heavy bevel/chamfer lugs with flat, slab sides command the premium, no doubt. Gen vintage collectors would prefer a scratched up, never polished example over one that's seen a buffing wheel, no matter how shiney/mirrored the polishing results.

[HauteHippie]

Unpolished, heavy bevel/chamfer lugs with flat, slab sides command the premium, no doubt. Gen vintage collectors would prefer a scratched up, never polished example over one that's seen a buffing wheel, no matter how shiney/mirrored the polishing results.

The wonderful world of Rolex vintage... worn and uncared for commands the highest price tag.

[ubiquitous]

It's a strange world, that one... But maybe a good example of 'less is more'?

[fakemaster]

The wonderful world of Rolex vintage... worn and uncared for commands the highest price tag.

lol screwed up but true. Maybe it looks better with a suit or something.

[coolfire]

Unpolished, heavy bevel/chamfer lugs with flat, slab sides command the premium, no doubt. Gen vintage collectors would prefer a scratched up, never polished example over one that's seen a buffing wheel, no matter how shiney/mirrored the polishing results.

Sell me your white daytona in 15 years, mate!