See how brushed and polished case edges soften with wear, and when professional refinishing is worth considering.
There is no fixed number of years. Desk use, knocks, strap changes and polishing history matter more than calendar age. Polished bevels often show wear cosmetically sooner; brushed surfaces can hide light wear better while still losing crisp transitions over time.
Aggressive polishing can remove material from lugs and bevels, softening the original design and reducing desirability.
How long do polished watch edges stay sharp? It depends on wear. Polished details can begin to look softened earlier than brushed flanks under daily abrasion.
When should I refinish a watch case? When wear truly bothers you or previous work looks poor — and only with geometry-preserving work.
Is some edge softening normal? Yes. Honest light wear is common on used watches and not automatically a defect.
Can refinishing reduce value? Yes, if over-polished. Poor geometry loss is often worse than original mild wear.