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how is a part not “original” if supplied by the manufacturer?
Because service parts are not the original watch. And often service dials are significantly different designs from original.
This whole Patina/ usability argument sometimes gets a bit ridiculous.
Personally I wouldn’t touch a watch that had been refinished / polished or had a service dial and most other collectors are the same IME. I don’t see why some people have a problem with a significant premium being assigned to originality and condition. Owning watches, like most jewellery, is pretty ridiculous to start with.
The thing is this is a 35 year old watch. Sympathetically serviced over time it will be fine for at least another 35 years. A repolish is more akin to a restoration than a service.
freddo-
But surely if you want to be able to actually use a watch for its intended purpose ie wearing regularly to be able to accurately tell the time and the only way of ensuring the timepiece can do that is by replacing anything worn beyond tolerance by the actual manufacturer then that’s ok , if that’s what you want to use it for. They are two different things I feel . I agree with you in some respects , but if for example a dial is aged / damaged and flaking and HAS to be replaced so you can use it then wether you keep it original and leave it for gazing upon or actually sort it to be able to use is a choice you have to make.
ejay2.0
Rolex will swap parts out if they need to be replaced to be able to do a satisfactory service/ repair so as to be able to give a two year warranty ( better then when new) . They won’t do willy nilly for the sake of it. And how is a part not “original” if supplied by the manufacturer? This whole Patina/ usability argument sometimes gets a bit ridiculous. If you want a watch you can happily use every day with a “ factory “ warranty then let them do it . If you want to leave it entirely original and just want to leave it in a box and look at it then don’t.