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Thread: Trotters watch polishing - anyone used?

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    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Trotters watch polishing - anyone used?

    Just seen on instagram that Trotters in Bethnal Green are doing Rolex polishing for £75-£150 and the pic they put up looks great. Is this what you would expect to pay? Has anyone from here used them? The AD I bought the watch from originally said Rolex won’t polish without a service.


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    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    To be fair I used them to clean some chandeliers once. Didn’t go too well.....

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    Nice one boycey


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    Rare marine chronometers a specialty

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    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Go for it son, as far as I know it's cushty and the result pukka!
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

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    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    Châteauneuf-du-Pape as they say in France.

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    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    Châteauneuf-du-Pape as they say in France.
    Bonnet de Douche!

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    How canard can it be?

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    Master James.uk's Avatar
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    I wouldn't. Not the best outfit...


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    Their secret is lubricating with Peckham Springs water. Must be busy as when I was last in, I overheard one of them saying "this time next year, we'll be millionaires".

  11. #11
    Craftsman Strebor's Avatar
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    Maybe it was Trotterwatch, nocturnal security?


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  12. #12
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Perhaps my question should have been for polishing recommendations in/around London. I’ll give trotters a miss.

  13. #13
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    Ive used trotters a few times for polishing . They can polish the watch whilst you wait . They do an excellent job and prices are the best too . I have a friend in there called George who can give good prices to friends of mine or recommendations of mine . In case this seems like I am affiliated with them , I’m not.
    Best thing about them is you can come down leave the watch , go have some pie and mash down the road and collect your polished watch within an hour


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    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Looking exactly like Dell’s watch 😏.
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

  15. #15
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    I`ve no experience whatsoever with this firm, bbut the example they're showing looks OK.

    However, trying to get the job done too quickly would worry me. Refinishing consists of two stages if it's done right. Firstly, the damage has to be sorted out and all the scratches etc removed. Secondly, the brushed or polished finish has to be applied. The cheap and cheerful brigade will simply rebrush (or polish) what's there, they may get some of the scratching out but basically they're refinishing over the damage. This'll look OK at a glance but look closely and you'll be less impressed.

    I would ask these guys exactly how they're doing the job, and be clear what you're expecting. If you're wanting the best job they can produce give them time to do it properly and don`t expect it to be cheap.

    With some watches there's a fair amount of dismantling required to refinish the case. Example: how do you apply the grained finish to the top of Rolex Datejust lugs without taking the bezel off? How do yiou get the grained finish right on the sides of a Seamaster pro if you don`t take the He valve out?

    I`m not knocking anyone who does this work, just pointing out that getting it right isn`t always straightforward. Ask the right questions beforehand.

    Paul

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    Quote Originally Posted by charlies View Post
    Ive used trotters a few times for polishing .Best thing about them is you can come down leave the watch , go have some pie and mash down the road and collect your polished watch within an hour


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    Sorry, I don`t believe they can properly refinish a watch in 1 hr.

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    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Bricks and mortar, too:


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    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PickleB View Post
    Bricks and mortar, too:

    Moved on from the market stall, but not too far eh?

    Cushty!

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    Almost everything they sell is 'afterset' with diamonds or with non original dials.

    Don't ever leave a valuable watch to be polished while you wait, it will not be a good job.

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    I struggle with the thought of leaving a watch with someone like that

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    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Trotters watch polishing - anyone used?

    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Sorry, I don`t believe they can properly refinish a watch in 1 hr.
    Paul, do you think they might make a pig's ear of it? Easily done if they are ham-fisted I guess.

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    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    I suspect that the 1 hour claim is a load of porkies.

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by me32dc View Post
    Almost everything they sell is 'afterset' with diamonds or with non original dials.

    Don't ever leave a valuable watch to be polished while you wait, it will not be a good job.
    I think they call it "customs diamonds"

    If the watchmaker is competent and had the correct tools, I'd have no problem leaving a watch to be polished. But I suspect their watchmaker won't have the best tools or the best training yet is working on arguably the best watches. Probably not elite watches but easily upper tier watches. I'd avoid myself

  24. #24
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Paul, do you think they might make a pig's ear of it? Easily done if they are ham-fisted I guess.

    I do...especially if they don't dismantle the movement etc from the case. Now it this guy were doing it:


  25. #25
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Thanks, @PickleB, I really enjoyed that video. Quite therapeutic watching it and that guy is quite an artist. Now I understand the difference between buffing and polishing.

  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Paul, do you think they might make a pig's ear of it? Easily done if they are ham-fisted I guess.
    Most refinishers use buffing wheels of various types, and believe me these can ruin a watch case if used incorrectly. I would be wary.

    I`m in a minority, I do virtually all the work by hand. I do use wheels but I`m very careful how I use them. I don`t have the best equipment, it isn`t worth my while investing, that's partly the reason I rely on hand work. Once the metal's off it's gone.......doing it by hand is tedious but you're far less likely to remove metal you didn`t want to remove.

    Some watches are very easy to refinish, but some are v. tricky. I`d be wary of anyone who says they can refinish a watch in 1hr.

    It depends what the OP wants; I rebrushed a TAG bracelet for one of my 'regulars' last week and it took 15 minutes, but it was very much a quick 'freshen up' job and I didn`t charge him for doing it. The watch was to be used as an everyday wearer, it didn`t justify doing a perfect job on. Provided the owner understands what he's getting and he's happy with what he pays it may work out OK......but I`d be careful.

    Paul
    Last edited by walkerwek1958; 15th December 2017 at 22:13.

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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Thanks, @PickleB, I really enjoyed that video. Quite therapeutic watching it and that guy is quite an artist. Now I understand the difference between buffing and polishing.
    I wouldn’t say the job on the nut looks particularly good .

  28. #28
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    I've dealt with them before and they are good guys altho a bit wideboyish. I would have them polish up a simple bracelet but not anything more complex like that Daytona bezel for instance.

  29. #29
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    I`m sure one of the Rolex accredited indys would be happy to do a refinishing job. I talked to Bill Rice a few years ago about such a job before I started doing them myself. Apart from the odd job I don`t doo refinishing work any longer, it's too laborious with my limited equipment and I don`t enjoy it any longer. Suggest the OP makes a few phone calls to find a Rolex accredited guy who's happy to help.

    Paul

  30. #30
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tomaitch View Post
    I wouldn’t say the job on the nut looks particularly good .
    I did wonder why he used a wheel rather than a block to get a flat surface, but still very interesting.

  31. #31
    Grand Master ryanb741's Avatar
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    I'm no expert but I'd imagine a Rolex can get a valet in an hour. A full polish though? With properly refinished lugs etc? That would be some going if they could but I'm doubtful.

  32. #32
    Master
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    I’ve used Trotters and they were surprisingly good. Rodney did a great job of my Seadweller.

  33. #33
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Thanks guys for the advice about calling an Rolex accredited independent. I think I may do that. Is there anyone someone has used before they would recommend? It’s for a current model GMT with polished centre links but I was half debating taking the polish out of the centre links (is that a bad thing to do?) to calm the bling factor down. Would prob bring my Speedy down too if possible just to see if there is a touch up that could be done on the clasp.

    Recommendations appreciated. I’m on the London/Hertfordshire borders but have the week off from Monday so don’t mind travelling a bit to have a nice fresh watch for Christmas.

  34. #34
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
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    Im sure that they wont fall down on the job


  35. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Thanks, @PickleB, I really enjoyed that video. Quite therapeutic watching it and that guy is quite an artist. Now I understand the difference between buffing and polishing.
    Just to second that.
    I didn't know that buffing could redistribute metal. Very interesting.

  36. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by verv View Post
    Just to second that.
    I didn't know that buffing could redistribute metal. Very interesting.
    It can't. Haven't watched that video, but if it suggests that then it is utter rubbish.

  37. #37
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    Burnishing will smooth the surface by flattening down protrusions, but buffing isn`t going to do this. Haven`t watched it yet but it sounds wrong to me.

    Paul

  38. #38
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    Surely the metal would have to be Molten to add removed metal . Sounds like Tosh to me!

  39. #39
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Burnishing will smooth the surface by flattening down protrusions, but buffing isn`t going to do this. Haven`t watched it yet but it sounds wrong to me.

    Paul
    Looking at other sources, I think he's got his terminology wrong. Or maybe it's American English...?

  40. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by me32dc View Post
    It can't. Haven't watched that video, but if it suggests that then it is utter rubbish.
    You could watch it.

  41. #41
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by verv View Post
    You could watch it.
    Indeed.

    He may be talking rubbish, although the case looked pretty good to a layman like me, given he literally hammered it repeatedly before he started. He talked about the burnishing paste and wheel being important to generate a lot of heat. These had to be kept separate from the polishing wheel and paste.

  42. #42
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    Yes thought that sounded a little bit odd. Any sort of abrasive will remove metal.

  43. #43
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    Watched it, most of it is ok information and a good basic introduction.
    However he is wrong. Buffing does remove material. A cutting paste (abrasive) on a felt wheel (abrasive) moving at high speed.
    He needs to measure before and after.

    Felt wheels may give the impression as they don't distort the surface when used properly, but they are removing metal.
    Last edited by me32dc; 16th December 2017 at 22:12.

  44. #44
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    Try Russell Talerman in London.

  45. #45
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    Good read.
    Thanks Colin.

  46. #46
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by me32dc View Post
    Watched it, most of it is ok information and a good basic introduction.
    However he is wrong. Buffing does remove material. A cutting paste (abrasive) on a felt wheel (abrasive) moving at high speed.
    He needs to measure before and after.

    Felt wheels may give the impression as they don't distort the surface when used properly, but they are removing metal.
    Thanks for the explanation.

  47. #47
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by me32dc View Post
    Watched it, most of it is ok information and a good basic introduction.
    However he is wrong. Buffing does remove material. A cutting paste (abrasive) on a felt wheel (abrasive) moving at high speed.
    He needs to measure before and after.

    Felt wheels may give the impression as they don't distort the surface when used properly, but they are removing metal.
    I have to agree with you. I think he's getting confused with burnishing, but that's not what he is doing.

  48. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by aksing View Post
    Try Russell Talerman in London.
    They have a full time case polisher and he is good.

  49. #49
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    Quote Originally Posted by me32dc View Post
    Watched it, most of it is ok information and a good basic introduction.
    However he is wrong. Buffing does remove material. A cutting paste (abrasive) on a felt wheel (abrasive) moving at high speed.
    He needs to measure before and after.

    Felt wheels may give the impression as they don't distort the surface when used properly, but they are removing metal.
    Ahhh okay. I did wonder why with his statement and apparent demonstration there were so many skinny lugs in the world.

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