Comments:
Polishing my 5712G…
thanks everyone for their information and help in advance...
i have a 5712G that requires service and i want to use the opportunity to polish it, by sending it to Patek. the watch has been with me for more than 10 years... it has some minor scratches but also one ding.... i want to know if Patek will use laser to refill the metal as they polish it, or they just brush to the lowest level possible?
i don’t have an experience so i thought to ask before i send it...
thanks in advance again for any help.
i have a 5712G that requires service and i want to use the opportunity to polish it, by sending it to Patek. the watch has been with me for more than 10 years... it has some minor scratches but also one ding.... i want to know if Patek will use laser to refill the metal as they polish it, or they just brush to the lowest level possible?
i don’t have an experience so i thought to ask before i send it...
thanks in advance again for any help.
Can't answer your question re laser filling but...
I personally would not polish this watch. It looks unpolished at this point and I am afraid the factory-finish sharp look of the edge between the brushed and polished part of the bezel and the 8 ridges down the polished part of the bezel itself would be lost forever. If you continue to wear it like you did there would be new scratches soon enough. I for one cannot imagine to ever get my 5711 polished. In case of a major mishap I'd probably rather get the bezel replaced. Costly but certainly doable in steel but might be prohibitively expensive in gold.
The only watches where I'd consider polishing today are all high polished platinum dress watches which don't have any sharp edges or brushed parts.
Just to add, a while ago my IWC pilot watch beater had a miserable date - with my aluminum latop... and I got it refinished by Richemont. Not a bad job but it is just not the same anymore and I am mad at myself letting them touch it.
To me, battle scars represent your
journey and I would not polish it.
You are the owner and you decide what make you happy 
Let us know your decision.
I agree with the general sentiment. Your watch can only be unpolished once.
Service the watch ask them to not polish. You know the history and the fact it is unpolished. If you ever let it go the next owner can be assured it is unpolished and not polished once twice or more.
Good luck.
Had my 5990 serviced and polished by PP UK.
When it came back, it really did look as new. Now with white gold……..
Taken from the site:
“Cases and bracelets are only polished on request by the customer. Polishing may involve gentle retouching or several interventions that require differentiated techniques:
Traditional polishing is performed manually and requires a “free-hand” technique, relying on extensive experience, virtuosity, and quick reflexes.
Alternative techniques include satin finishing, lasering, and diamond polishing that results in a mirror gloss.
Certain work on the case or bracelet must include polishing to assure the perfect aesthetic of the watch.
It is important to note that there is a limit to the number of polishing sequences that can be applied during the lifetime of a watch.”
Taken from the site:
“Cases and bracelets are only polished on request by the customer. Polishing may involve gentle retouching or several interventions that require differentiated techniques:
Traditional polishing is performed manually and requires a “free-hand” technique, relying on extensive experience, virtuosity, and quick reflexes.
Alternative techniques include satin finishing, lasering, and diamond polishing that results in a mirror gloss.
Certain work on the case or bracelet must include polishing to assure the perfect aesthetic of the watch.
It is important to note that there is a limit to the number of polishing sequences that can be applied during the lifetime of a watch.”
I will have to send my 5712 for service soon, and I think I will tell them to NOT polish it
I would love to switch the narrative on polishing but I know these are high value items..
Seems that auction prices and original condition drive time market...I would love to see more people take the route of "the Loved Patek". Wear it, enjoy it, build memories, maybe it gets a little wear and tear and then send it off and get it back good as new and keep going...
Easier to do with Tudors though...
You could get it polished,,,,
It just depends, if you think you will enjoy it more with it being aesthetically perfect, get it polished. The last nautilus I sent it in, I had it "lightly" polished and and couldn't tell it had been polished. I also purchased an extra new bezel to have with the watch. I'm not really concerned what the watch will be worth when I am dead, my kids will deal with it. lol.
Depends on the market you're in.
Depends on the market you'e in and the service center you go to... For example if you go to a service center that has the laser welding machine, it's more likely they'll do it.
If you're referring to the ding on the bezel (not sure if I see one in the photo), you could opt for a bezel replacement. Being in white gold, this part replacement will be costly. I wouldn't be surprised if it cost $8K to $10K potentially. Although I hope it's less in your case.