Comments:
To polish or not to polish
I'm sending in my AP for service and still undecided if I want to polish it or not. It has never been polished. Sure it's got some nicks and scratches as I do wear routinely. Though I think it gives character, on the other hand a freshly polished AP would give it a new look.
Nope
Mine is still at service now as well (since february). I opted to NOT polish it, because I worry about the geometry of the watch. It will change after they polish it.
Don't!
You will lose the sharp edges, and if you're unlucky, the shape will be deformed by uneven polishing!
Don´t polish.
Don´t polish. It´s your watch and your scratches. I prefer the sharp angles of the bezel and polish will destroy them.
I labored over this . . . .
Mine went in for a full maintenance service last month and I flirted with the idea of a polish knowing full well how that is negatively viewed in these circles and the risks one takes. It had never been polished before (purchased in 2005) and it does have some blemishes on the brushed bezel which is a notorious scuff/scratch collector as you know.
When I read AP's "Refinishing" description below, it talks about "damaging the angles and geometry of the case," but states that "we recommend no more than three to five aesthetic refreshings during the life cycle of your watch." Well, since mine had not been "refreshed" even once, I was tempted to give it a go, but ultimately backed out.
I've since decided to sell it and although I thought the fact that it had never been polished would be a selling point, I now think the cosmetic blemishes on the bezel may actually hinder a sale.
I think if the watch is a keeper for you, then you should not polish it. Personally, the blemishes on mine are usually only visible when the light strikes the bezel in a certain way, so it's not always noticeable, as I suspect is the case with your watch. Plus, like you, I just think it adds character to the piece and, frankly, makes me a little less paranoid about getting that first blemish, something we all have to deal with with trepidation when we get a new watch. It's already "broken in," sort of speak. But if you plan to resell it, my current experience tells me cosmetic blemishes may make it more difficult to sell.
Good luck with your decision.
From AP's website:
REFINISHING (Optional)
Just like the movement, the case and bracelet are examined in the most minute detail. All parts showing signs of wear are systematically replaced or restored. We may offer to refinish the case and bracelet. If appropriate, certain deep marks and scratches in the metal are laser-treated to add material and recover a shine as close as possible to the original appearance. Other surfaces are polished or brightened depending on the level and depth of marks to be corrected. However, we recommend no more than three to five aesthetic refreshings during the life cycle of your watch. Any more than this will run the risk of damaging the angles and geometry of the case. Each model has its own specific decorative and ornamental features: polishing can be supplemented by other Fine Watchmaking techniques, mostly manual, such as shot peening, sandblasting, satin polishing or circular graining. With a Royal Oak watch, for example, it may be necessary to polish 24 bevels and 16 screw heads and then soften and polish 27 distinct surfaces.
When I read AP's "Refinishing" description below, it talks about "damaging the angles and geometry of the case," but states that "we recommend no more than three to five aesthetic refreshings during the life cycle of your watch." Well, since mine had not been "refreshed" even once, I was tempted to give it a go, but ultimately backed out.
I've since decided to sell it and although I thought the fact that it had never been polished would be a selling point, I now think the cosmetic blemishes on the bezel may actually hinder a sale.
I think if the watch is a keeper for you, then you should not polish it. Personally, the blemishes on mine are usually only visible when the light strikes the bezel in a certain way, so it's not always noticeable, as I suspect is the case with your watch. Plus, like you, I just think it adds character to the piece and, frankly, makes me a little less paranoid about getting that first blemish, something we all have to deal with with trepidation when we get a new watch. It's already "broken in," sort of speak. But if you plan to resell it, my current experience tells me cosmetic blemishes may make it more difficult to sell.
Good luck with your decision.
From AP's website:
REFINISHING (Optional)
Just like the movement, the case and bracelet are examined in the most minute detail. All parts showing signs of wear are systematically replaced or restored. We may offer to refinish the case and bracelet. If appropriate, certain deep marks and scratches in the metal are laser-treated to add material and recover a shine as close as possible to the original appearance. Other surfaces are polished or brightened depending on the level and depth of marks to be corrected. However, we recommend no more than three to five aesthetic refreshings during the life cycle of your watch. Any more than this will run the risk of damaging the angles and geometry of the case. Each model has its own specific decorative and ornamental features: polishing can be supplemented by other Fine Watchmaking techniques, mostly manual, such as shot peening, sandblasting, satin polishing or circular graining. With a Royal Oak watch, for example, it may be necessary to polish 24 bevels and 16 screw heads and then soften and polish 27 distinct surfaces.
Tourbeon, one more thing to add . . .
I don't know if you are located in the U.S. and plan to send the watch to AP North America, but if so note that their turn around time currently is very quick. I was originally told that a full service would take a good 8-10 weeks, if not longer, and I had mine back in four weeks. I was really surprised. Just an FYI. YMMV. Good luck!
Do not polish
It may cause more problems, change of the geometry and angles. If it is only the bezel that is badly affected, you can opt to either only polish the bezel or have the bezel replaced. IMO, the bezel is the part that is most noticeable. I think they change the crown as part of the service anyway.
Another "No" vote from me
I am slightly hypocritical as I did have Rolex polish a watch during a service recently, but i am not sure I would risk an AP that I planned on scratching again through daily wear. As much as the first scratch hurts, I do love the character a well worn watch takes on. I scroll past pics of perfect watches all day online, but your RO made me pause as it stood out as being yours.
.
Thanks all for affirming my thoughts of keeping the 'character' I don't plan on selling this one.
Personally, I'm not dogmatic about these things (except for vintage watches).
A light polish of just the face of the bezel would be fine, and I would consider it as I like bezels to be mostly scratch free (except for more minor scratches).
Also, the bezel could always be replaced down the line to recapture the perfect angles, though perhaps at substantial cost.
If the scratches don't bother you then there's no question--don't bother to ask for a polish. But I suspect they bother you to some extent, which is why you asked.
Cheers,
John