BLNR ruined

[Sarko]

Hi guys I hope you can help me out.

A friend of mine had a scratch on the clasp of his BLNR and let the AD polish it off (they have official Rolex service team in house)

After the watch was polishd he saw there was a kind of smudge which can not be washed off or removed. Then the watch went back and they stated after trying to remove it that the smudge is in the metal and that it can not be removed. But also in the process they put the dents in the front of the lugs when putting back the bracelets.

Questions:
Did you guys ever heard about the smudges in the metal?
What should I advise him to do? The watch is barely 10 months old. The AD is informed by him about the problem and he has a meeting with the head of sales.

Smudge:


Dents:

[fskywalker]

I don't know about smudges on clasps, but definitely they should take responsibility about the dents on the body while installing the bracelet back. Did he highlight that wen he got the bracelet back?

[Sarko]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

I don't know about smudges on clasps, but definitely they should take responsibility about the dents on the body while installing the bracelet back. Did he highlight that wen he got the bracelet back?

He saw it later that day when he came home. The dents are hard to see they are not that big but still it should not happen. I know the guy and he is extremely cautious with his watches and he never changes straps.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Sarko

He saw it later that day when he came home. The dents are hard to see they are not that big but still it should not happen. I know the guy and he is extremely cautious with his watches and he never changes straps.

Issue is AD might not beleive that and as such could claim not by them. On the clasp, if the stains could not be removed by AD probably would suggest the watch is sent to RSC, but guess not through that AD which screwed it in the first place. RSC should be able to correct the stains on clasp and improve aestethics of small dents on watch bracelet lugs. Does your friend's watch carries the Rolex warranty?


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[cdmorenot]

The smudge looks like some kind of heat spot. And wow at the lug gouges. They certainly did not use the right springbar tool and it may be hard to prove if he did not catch it when he picked up the watch.

That would piss me off.

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[Kevan]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

The smudge looks like some kind of heat spot. And wow at the lug gouges. They certainly did not use the right springbar tool and it may be hard to prove if he did not catch it when he picked up the watch.

That would piss me off.

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As we type....

[Kevan]

Looks like what we used to call a bloom, as if the metal has heated and tarnished, then polished. I very much doubt that the dealer would generate such heat in removing a scratch unless it was quite severe.

If they have attempted to remove the mark and it remains, it would suggest that it is in the composition of the metal.

If your friend is so fastidious about his watches, this coupled with whatever they do about the lugs is going to bug the life out of him.

[brettpaul]

Clearly the technician didn't have a clue what he was doing with the polishing or handling the case - not sure what can be done now since your mate didn't notice the issues before he left, but it's definitely not in good shape.

Doesn't help now, but in the future always take photos of the watch on your phone before you send it for any type or polish/repair/service...saves a lot of grief for sure.

Best of luck to your friend.

[magnetic]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

Clearly the technician didn't have a clue what he was doing with the polishing or handling the case - not sure what can be done now since your mate didn't notice the issues before he left, but it's definitely not in good shape.

Doesn't help now, but in the future always take photos of the watch on your phone before you send it for any type or polish/repair/service...saves a lot of grief for sure.

Best of luck to your friend.

Very good point about always taking pics before handing a watch over.
I have recently been arguing with TAG about a watch they damaged. But to no avail.

[Sarko]

The watch has warranty and is only 10 months old (barely worn). The RSC and polishing is something he should not agree on, In mine opinion since the watch is almost new. You just dont polish the new watch because the AD was incompetent to do their job.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Sarko

The watch has warranty and is only 10 months old (barely worn). The RSC and polishing is something he should not agree on, In mine opinion since the watch is almost new. You just dont polish the new watch because the AD was incompetent to do their job.

Understand that, but how will the issue get solved if your friend is not willing to accept current condition? I doubt any recourse to AD claiming a brand new watch because of this would suceed. Even if AD says will fix it, will he trust them? I would certainly not.


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[travisb]

Whoever did the work was clearly not a Rolex certified tech (if that's what they told him).
Only real solution at this point is to send it directly to Rolex and have a professional polish done.

[Sarko]

Originally Posted by travisb

Whoever did the work was clearly not a Rolex certified tech (if that's what they told him).
Only real solution at this point is to send it directly to Rolex and have a professional polish done.

I am not sure he will agree on polishing a 10 month old watch, which will ruin also the value of the watch on long term. I will keep you guys posted. Only luck he had that he is well know person in Dutch Rolex community and the AD knows that.

[REFZ]

How bad was the scratch on the bracelet?
And why did he decide to let it polish in the first place because you said the watch was like new and almost never worn?

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by Sarko

I am not sure he will agree on polishing a 10 month old watch, which will ruin also the value of the watch on long term. I will keep you guys posted. Only luck he had that he is well know person in Dutch Rolex community and the AD knows that.

one polish on the maxi case models isn't going to destroy the value of the watch. If the damage was that bad he should have just got a new clasp instead of trying to polish it out.

The dent in the lug is inexcusable and was clearly done by someone who didn't know what they were doing.

[bigwatchman]

With all due respect, that is why you shouldn't polish a watch.... It's a hard lesson but learn to embrace the scratches....

[Sarko]

Originally Posted by bigwatchman

With all due respect, that is why you shouldn't polish a watch.... It's a hard lesson but learn to embrace the scratches....

Agreed, but then again, a official Rolex service guy in the white Rolex coat should be competent enough to remove the bracelet without denting the lugs

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Sarko

Agreed, but then again, a official Rolex service guy in the white Rolex coat should be competent enough to remove the bracelet without denting the lugs

The dent in the front of the lug:



kind of hard to visualize how it can occur in the removal of the bracelet, as the springbar gets out through the back side. That sounds to me more like due to something else, perhaps in holding the watch in a press or something like that? Re-installing the bracelet on an angle? That is really strange


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[Sarko]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

The dent you showed on the pictures are in the front side of the watch, kind of hard to visualize how they can occur in the removal of the bracelet, as the springbar gets out through the back side. That sounds to me more like due to something else, perhaps in holding the watch in a press or something like that? That is really strange


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The dents are not that bad and only visual when u know where to look. I think that the service guy was in a rush and while placing the bracelet back that the spring bar has shoot out or he put the the bracelet on from the upper side. That's easy since they work with special tweezers. Then again how he did it or what went wrong are all speculations. Also on the back side you see the scratches which is not a big problem since the back of the watch you don't see. But still they should be competent enough to do this without damage. I know allot of guys who regularly exchange straps and they never scratch the watch.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

The dent in the front of the lug:



kind of hard to visualize how it can occur in the removal of the bracelet, as the springbar gets out through the back side. That sounds to me more like due to something else, perhaps in holding the watch in a press or something like that? Re-installing the bracelet on an angle? That is really strange


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Yep I've made the same marks like that before on a watch. On removal of bracelet, it's moved out upwards instead of down and springbars spring as removed and can make that mark.

Springbar tweezers need to be used to depress the bar until totally out.

[yorkef]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Yep I've made the same marks like that before on a watch. On removal of bracelet, it's moved out upwards instead of down and springboard springs as removed and can make that mark.

Springbar tweezers need to be used to depress the bar until totally out.

I have done the same to my BLNR when removing the bracelet. Please show the outcome of laser welding and let me know the cost to repair it?


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[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Sarko

Agreed, but then again, a official Rolex service guy in the white Rolex coat should be competent enough to remove the bracelet without denting the lugs

ANYONE can wear a white coat. They are not Rolex certified unless they are employed by an official RSC. There seems to be a lot of mis-information out there about "Rolex Certified". The person working on the watch is clearly unqualified to do an adequate job!

[robertdodd]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

ANYONE can wear a white coat. They are not Rolex certified unless they are employed by an official RSC. There seems to be a lot of mis-information out there about "Rolex Certified". The person working on the watch is clearly unqualified to do an adequate job!

exactly what I thought!

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

ANYONE can wear a white coat. They are not Rolex certified unless they are employed by an official RSC. There seems to be a lot of mis-information out there about "Rolex Certified". The person working on the watch is clearly unqualified to do an adequate job!

Originally Posted by robertdodd

exactly what I thought!

I agree, the person who did the work on that watch was inadequate. However, we don't KNOW whether that person was 'Rolex Certified' or not. Even if we knew they were, it means absolutely nothing. I have sent many watches to RSC in New York and Dallas for warranty work and have had unbelievable errors occur to my brand new watches. Meaning....just because someone is 'Certified', doesn't mean they do quality work. On the flip side, I know several independent watchmakers who perform top level work on a daily basis. It's no different than a car mechanic, just because they work at a dealership doesn't mean they should be.


To the OP: the 'stained' metal on the clasp is typical of a polishing wheel that scorched the metal, meaning it was left on that spot for too long or not enough/too little rouge was present on the wheel, or it sat too long on the wheel itself, etc. Many variables can cause this. Either way, it's correctable/can be removed. The dent from the springbar isn't major (I've seen worse), but is also correctable in the hands of a above average watchmaker with polishing skills. Many skilled watchmakers good at mechanical issues, but very few of those are also good at polishing....polishing is an art, similar to welding...some can practice for YEARS and never be as good as the few who possess that natural talent. The hard part is, you have to find the talented one. LOL

[427_Monster]

I would be pissed too.

But I wouldn't polish my watch over 1 scratch...and then get it back in even worse condition...

[hoanghung45]

Looking to the bright side. The dent is on 12 hour mark lug, not that noticeable compared to 6 hour lugs

[Sarko]

Originally Posted by hoanghung45

Looking to the bright side. The dent is on 12 hour mark lug, not that noticeable compared to 6 hour lugs

[Auto16610]

Is he sure they are a Roles service center at the AD? Also if you polish out 1 tiny scratch on the back wouldn't another tiny scratch happen again later on. What would be the porpoise?

Most people here advise to wear the watch for about 5 years then send it in to the RSC for a full service and light polish.

[GB-man]

Bummer. Getting a new watch is highly unlikely imho. If they did that sizing the bracelet day 1 of course, but not 10 months in when the watch was already admitadly damaged.

if your friend is truly ocd, I would tell the ad he can not live with the watch and ask for a really solid discount on a new blnr so he can unload that one without a loss.

Never done it before but it's a shot in the dark.

[Sarko]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Bummer. Getting a new watch is highly unlikely imho. If they did that sizing the bracelet day 1 of course, but not 10 months in when the watch was already admitadly damaged.

if your friend is truly ocd, I would tell the ad he can not live with the watch and ask for a really solid discount on a new blnr so he can unload that one without a loss.

Never done it before but it's a shot in the dark.

Yeah that may be the right solution if he do not want to keep the watch.