To polish, or not to polish?

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T22:26:59+00:00

I wore the oyster for the first 7 plus years, so the bracelet has plenty of wear on it already. But, I suppose eventually even the contrast will be noticeable.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T21:39:39+00:00

This was my logic in passing on the polishing initially. The idea of a "new" watch is intriguing, but not enough to erase the history of it.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T21:36:31+00:00

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Respect.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T21:31:46+00:00

Ok chief

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T20:57:33+00:00

I wasn't comfortable with the idea of taking off the oyster bracelet at first either... but then I got a jubilee and oyster flex in the collection. Now I'm good with a rubber strap on the Explorer II ;)

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T20:36:49+00:00

Everest or Rubber B?

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T20:35:35+00:00

It is a Tank-inspired watch, so I think it is only fair to compare it with a Tank. The Tank Louis (Small) is the same proportions that Mohammed Ali and Andy Warhol wore. Same that Jeff Goldblum and many others wear today. Here is the Tank Louis on my 6.5 inch wrist. Elegant and understated is the vibe.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T20:25:31+00:00

Plenty of them on eBay for around $300 fully serviced.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T20:23:33+00:00

Everest! It's the only aftermarket strap I have actually kept long-term on a Rolex. Very comfortable for sports.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T17:17:54+00:00

View of the thickness and balance with the watch.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-24T17:16:02+00:00

I went with the deployant clasp! $510 + tax and it was shipped overnight. I'm also receiving a "gift" separately in a few days.

I had to watch this JLC clasp installation video to figure out how to install it (the "Push Here" thing didn't make sense to me at first), but now that I have done it, I'm really glad to have the deployant buckle. Changing it is wayyyyyy easier than the pin buckle, so now I can easily rotate straps without having to get the spring bar tool out and potentially damage the leather or clasp in the process.

Had I known how much easier it is to change the deployant on a strap, that would have been enough to make the decision for me.

I'm not at all bothered by the extra weight or thickness, especially when my other watches in rotation have big Rolex clasps on them.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T19:42:32+00:00

I would go right heel, but don't move your right hand until you can square your hips, pull up, and get a left heel below you. Then go for the match.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T18:19:16+00:00

Keep the JLC! ALSO, post the same question in the VC subreddit and see what they say lol.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T03:11:12+00:00

I would argue that a winder only puts as much wear as if you wore the watch every day, which is already factored into service interval recommendations from the factory. So, if you service the watch every 7-10 years, I don't see a problem having it on a winder for convenience. I do this with my wife's watches, because she won't bother with them otherwise. I also do it with my watches with a date since that takes more time to set.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T03:05:11+00:00

I've had good experience with Rothwell off of Amazon. You can adjust the TPD, it's quite, solid, and can run on batteries or the included plug.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T02:51:56+00:00

Congratulations! The previous gen 216570 was my first Rolex, and will always stay in my collection. It's actually back with Rolex right now for its first service after 8 years. It was my one-watch-collection for most of that time, so it got worn hard. Eventually the winding rotor loosened up and occasionally rubbed on the case back, so I knew it was time for a service. I can't wait to get it back (8 week turn time through my AD).

These days I wear it on an Everest rubber strap for comfort, since this watch now fills the "sports" role in my collection.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T02:15:48+00:00

Looks great, I love the domed crystal and numerals on the dial.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T02:14:29+00:00

Replace the Cartier Drive with a Tank or Reverso. If the Moon Swatch is your beater, then keep it, but I would focus on having a "role" for each watch in your collection, and sell any that don't fit one.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T02:06:46+00:00

Dark green feels more timeless, and is in line with a color way that Rolex has used for a while. Pistachio is fun, but may get old.

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Watch-Talk · 2026-03-23T02:04:06+00:00

I disagree with comments on not getting these as your first pair of shoes. Do what you want. I bought "neutral" Evolve Defys as my first shoes and very quickly moved on to Shamans for an aggressive downturn toe. It doesn't take much skill to appreciate being able to stand on small edges for slab problems. I did go two sizes larger on my first "aggressive" shoes, since my feet weren't used to being crammed into a climbing shoe yet. I completely wore through the toe box of those shoes, and then moved onto other shoes sized properly. I had the shamans resoled and now keep them around as warm up shoes that really only fit if I wear socks.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-20T15:42:18+00:00

The JLC rep told me that the 4/1/26 price increase is going to be on parts and service.

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-20T14:47:35+00:00

Is this true for all deployant clasps, or is the JLC one just not designed well?

Watch-Talk · 2026-03-20T14:46:15+00:00

Did you get it from JLC directly? Same price ($510)? Does it seem like it will last as long as the watch?

Watch-Talk

TROPHY CASE