Jetguy87
16
New Member Seeking Advice on Patek Refinishing
Hi All,
I'm a first-time poster, here because it seems like this is the greatest collection of Patek experts on the internet, and am hoping you can help me resolve my dilemma!
Two years ago, I picked up a 3796R and sent it to Patek for a service. They replaced the hands and crown, and, per my request, did not refinish or polish the case. I wear it about 1-2 times a month, and noticed at some point that, despite being a rose gold watch, the appearance of the case and dial is more yellow than rose. This is especially the case in certain lighting conditions, where a difference can be seen between the hands/crown and the dial/case (though, sometimes they both appear more yellow). I've included a range of pictures that show how it can look yellow in some lighting, but more rose in others (along with the difference between the hands/crown and the dial/case).
I love this watch, but keep thinking that if the finish was a little more rose, it would be perfect. I reached out to Patek customer service to ask if anything could be done to bring out the rose finish. After consulting with the head watchmaker, the rep informed me that the yellowish appearance is due to oxidization over time, which dulls the rose and brings out the yellow appearance. She confirmed that the only way to restore the rose appearance would be through a refinish/polishing.
Obviously, I am loathe to do it. Beyond taking away case material and potentially changing the shape, I'm also concerned that the finish will eventually end up yellow again. And I'm not thrilled about the prospect of repeat polishing. Everyone who I have asked in person has warned me not to do it, for the obvious reasons.
So I figured I would ask around here -- has anyone had experience with Patek refinishing, particularly in restoring the rose gold finish of a watch after oxidization to a yellowish color? Can you see any significant difference in case color, shape, edges, etc.? Would you recommend doing so in my case (pun unintended)?
Any and all thoughts and experiences welcome!
New Member Seeking Advice on Patek Refinishing
Hi All, I'm a first-time poster, here because it seems like this is the greatest collection of Patek experts on the internet, and am hoping you can help me resolve my dilemma! Two years ago, I picked up a 3796R and sent it to Patek for a service. They rep...
Would not polish it
You have a beautiful watch. Polishing always takes away crispness...
If you really want to change this...
Then return it to Patek after taking several photos of the watch. Tell them exactly what your concerns are. They are the true experts and will want you to be a happy customer. Personally I would just keep it as it is and enjoy it.
Cant tell you much more than most here already said:
You have a great piece! It looks nice - in thas case colour I would not polish it and woukd not trust Patek service too much. Im happy to have you here. Welcome to the forum.
Ask at a good jeweler for a gold polishing cloth
They are soft cloths with almost no abrasive effect but they will remove surface oxidation from gold.
Let me be #7 to give you the same suggestion: you have a charming piece that, by aging naturally, will only become more charming over time😉
Thanks for a thoughtful first post, and please continue to join our conversation and keep sharing your beautiful Pateks!😀 Cheers.
I would do the polishing by Patek.
Your last photo is showing quite a lot of scratches which seem to be only superficial. A soft polishing will not take a lot of material away and the watch will look like brand new
Have PP do the polish
but only if they can confirm it has not been or at least appears not to have been polished in the past. A first polish by PP is a non event. Its when you get to the 3rd time material lost becomes an issue.
Recommend avoiding! You may not like the results.
If you have a personal jeweler you can trust, have a conversation with them about it.
As mentioned.. Get a cloth...
I have a few impregnated soft polishing cloths made for gold jewelry and silverware. As you use them you will see the color brighten up and a black residue left on the cloth. My cloths have two layers or plies. One has the active compound and the other is...
I would polish with PP expert service, after documenting your objective and concerns
Indeed it looks yellow gold in many of those shots. but I must admit it is a lovely model, and I almost bought it, if I hadn't bought the 5146 instead. Key general concerns against polishing is: 1) if you plan to resell, buyers like an untouched watch 2) ...
If you plan to wear it don’t polish it and you will have care free enjoyment.
If it will be a safe queen or a kept treasure for the next generation then you have the option. But remember polishing removes material and that is the downside. Enjoy
Thanks all for the responses! Happy to hear more views :)
It seems like people are really split down the middle; almost 50/50. At this point I'm not inclined to try it myself with a cloth -- the piece is too nice for my hands to take a crack at it. Not to mention that it's not polished all around -- the sides ar...
I don’t really have anything to add...
...but could you post a wrist shot or two?? I think the 3796 is design perfection, and I’d love to add a Calatrava some day. The 5196 is too big, the 5096 is amazing but hard to find a good example, and I’m so tempted by the 3796 but am concerned it’ll be...
Sure thing!
These are two that I took off-hand the other day to capture the difference in color, depending on lighting. It’s definitely a smaller piece, but I find that it wears a bit larger than it is. Relatedly, before I picked up this watch, I was considering a 51...
It really is perfect.
I’m not sure what size my wrist is, and my daily wearer at the moment is a 36mm oyster perpetual and I regularly wear my 68 Seamaster Deville, so I’m not afraid of smaller watches, but I really need to see one in person some day to make a decision. I love...
