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Watch Condition Grading

The grade is a summary. It does not replace detailed written descriptions, exact-watch photography, disclosure of defects, disclosure of polishing or disclosure of replaced or aftermarket components.

Grades

New

Genuinely new stock with factory seals or equivalent evidence.

Visible wear: None expected.
Polishing: Not applicable.
Strap or bracelet: Original, unused.
Service: None expected.
Documentation: Full set expected, with unactivated warranty where applicable.
Limitations: Rare in the pre-owned segment; requires supporting evidence.

Unworn

Never worn, without factory seals.

Visible wear: None visible under normal inspection.
Polishing: Not applicable.
Strap or bracelet: Original, unused.
Service: None expected.
Documentation: Typically full set; may vary.
Limitations: Absence of seals means unworn status is a considered judgement.

Like New

Minimal traces of prior handling.

Visible wear: Only extremely faint marks under magnification.
Polishing: Unpolished when supported by evidence.
Strap or bracelet: Original, minimal use.
Service: None expected.
Documentation: Typically complete.
Limitations: Not equivalent to New.

Excellent

Light traces of wear consistent with careful ownership.

Visible wear: Fine hairlines visible on close inspection.
Polishing: Reported when known; may be unpolished with evidence.
Strap or bracelet: Original, light wear.
Service: Service history disclosed when documented.
Documentation: Typically complete or near-complete.
Limitations: Fine imperfections remain possible.

Very Good

Moderate wear consistent with typical ownership.

Visible wear: Visible hairlines; occasional minor marks.
Polishing: May be previously polished or lightly refinished — disclosed.
Strap or bracelet: Original with visible wear or replacement strap disclosed.
Service: Service history disclosed when documented.
Documentation: Varies; disclosed on listing.
Limitations: Not a like-new presentation.

Good

Clearly worn but well maintained.

Visible wear: Visible marks, hairlines and edge wear.
Polishing: Often previously polished — disclosed with detail available.
Strap or bracelet: May be replacement; disclosed.
Service: Prior service common; disclosed where documented.
Documentation: May be partial.
Limitations: Cosmetic imperfections are expected and disclosed.

Vintage

Age-appropriate wear on an older reference.

Visible wear: Consistent with age, use and prior servicing.
Polishing: Polishing status often uncertain; disclosed as known.
Strap or bracelet: Frequently period-appropriate or replacement; disclosed.
Service: Historical servicing common; disclosed where documented.
Documentation: Often partial; original documentation is a distinct value.
Limitations: Patina and age-related characteristics are not automatically desirable.

Polishing disclosures

Previously polished: The watch has been polished at least once during its life.
Lightly refinished: A limited refinishing has occurred; original geometry is largely preserved.
Polishing status unknown: Available evidence does not allow a confident determination.
Unpolished: Used only when supported by evidence such as sharp facets, consistent finishing and documentation.

Replacement parts disclosures

Manufacturer service parts: Components installed during a manufacturer service.
Period-correct parts: Components appropriate to the era and reference.
Non-original parts: Components not corresponding to the original configuration.
Aftermarket parts: Components produced outside the manufacturer's supply chain.
Unknown status: Available evidence does not allow a confident determination.

Box and papers

Full Set: Original box, papers, accessories and, when applicable, all components as originally supplied.
Box and papers: Original box and papers, without full accessories.
Box only: Original box; papers absent.
Papers only: Original papers; box absent.
Watch only: Watch head or complete watch without original box or papers.
Replacement packaging: Substitute presentation packaging supplied by ORELVANT WATCHES.

Vintage watches

Age-related wear, patina and historical servicing may be compatible with a vintage grade. Patina, staining and aging on dials or hands are neutral characteristics — they are not automatically desirable and are described honestly.

Grading comparison

Grade	Visible wear	Polishing	Completeness	Originality	Service considerations
New	None expected.	Not applicable.	Full set expected, with unactivated warranty where applicable.	Rare in the pre-owned segment; requires supporting evidence.	None expected.
Unworn	None visible under normal inspection.	Not applicable.	Typically full set; may vary.	Absence of seals means unworn status is a considered judgement.	None expected.
Like New	Only extremely faint marks under magnification.	Unpolished when supported by evidence.	Typically complete.	Not equivalent to New.	None expected.
Excellent	Fine hairlines visible on close inspection.	Reported when known; may be unpolished with evidence.	Typically complete or near-complete.	Fine imperfections remain possible.	Service history disclosed when documented.
Very Good	Visible hairlines; occasional minor marks.	May be previously polished or lightly refinished — disclosed.	Varies; disclosed on listing.	Not a like-new presentation.	Service history disclosed when documented.
Good	Visible marks, hairlines and edge wear.	Often previously polished — disclosed with detail available.	May be partial.	Cosmetic imperfections are expected and disclosed.	Prior service common; disclosed where documented.
Vintage	Consistent with age, use and prior servicing.	Polishing status often uncertain; disclosed as known.	Often partial; original documentation is a distinct value.	Patina and age-related characteristics are not automatically desirable.	Historical servicing common; disclosed where documented.

New

Visible wear:: None expected.
Polishing:: Not applicable.
Completeness:: Full set expected, with unactivated warranty where applicable.
Originality:: Rare in the pre-owned segment; requires supporting evidence.
Service:: None expected.

Unworn

Visible wear:: None visible under normal inspection.
Polishing:: Not applicable.
Completeness:: Typically full set; may vary.
Originality:: Absence of seals means unworn status is a considered judgement.
Service:: None expected.

Like New

Visible wear:: Only extremely faint marks under magnification.
Polishing:: Unpolished when supported by evidence.
Completeness:: Typically complete.
Originality:: Not equivalent to New.
Service:: None expected.

Excellent

Visible wear:: Fine hairlines visible on close inspection.
Polishing:: Reported when known; may be unpolished with evidence.
Completeness:: Typically complete or near-complete.
Originality:: Fine imperfections remain possible.
Service:: Service history disclosed when documented.

Very Good

Visible wear:: Visible hairlines; occasional minor marks.
Polishing:: May be previously polished or lightly refinished — disclosed.
Completeness:: Varies; disclosed on listing.
Originality:: Not a like-new presentation.
Service:: Service history disclosed when documented.

Good

Visible wear:: Visible marks, hairlines and edge wear.
Polishing:: Often previously polished — disclosed with detail available.
Completeness:: May be partial.
Originality:: Cosmetic imperfections are expected and disclosed.
Service:: Prior service common; disclosed where documented.

Vintage

Visible wear:: Consistent with age, use and prior servicing.
Polishing:: Polishing status often uncertain; disclosed as known.
Completeness:: Often partial; original documentation is a distinct value.
Originality:: Patina and age-related characteristics are not automatically desirable.
Service:: Historical servicing common; disclosed where documented.

Frequently asked questions

Is the grade a guarantee?

No. The grade is a summary. Detailed condition information appears in the written report and exact-watch photography on the listing.

How are scratches shown?

Visible scratches are described in the condition report and photographed on the actual watch on live listings.

What does Full Set mean?

Original box, papers, accessories and, when applicable, all original components.

What does previously polished mean?

The watch has been polished at least once. Where possible, the extent of polishing is described.

Are service parts considered original?

Manufacturer service parts are disclosed separately from original components. Both are legitimate; both are disclosed.

Can I request macro photographs?

Yes. Additional photographs can be requested through a watch specialist before purchase.

Can the condition change before delivery?

The condition described at the time of purchase is preserved by handling controls prior to shipment.

Need clarification before purchasing?

Speak with a watch specialist about condition, documentation, delivery or the assisted-purchase process.

Contact a Watch Specialist