Did I Make a Mistake? Nervous to Wear it...

[sgtpeper]

Hi All,

I recently purchased an absolutely mint CPO 116520. This is my first Rolex and is sort of my grail watch for numerous reasons.

That said, now I feel anxious wearing it - because I'm worried about scratches or any other damage.

When I set out to buy a Rolex I was originally going to keep my budget to around 10k and get an Explorer II or maybe a GMT - something that would be at home with scratches and could be worn daily without much care.

The Daytona is just so pretty and with the polished bracelet and bezel - coupled with paying double what an Explorer II would cost, has me feeling like I made a mistake...

I know in my mind it's just a thing to be worn and used but I hate the thought of it getting too beat up. I'm meticulous with other fun toys like sports cars and such but I feel less in control of keeping this watch in good shape!

Anyone else get this way? Any recommendations?

[rolex_DateJust]

If you’re worried about wearing a Rolex, you shouldn’t have bought it to begin with. These are watches that should be worn daily under any activities for years to come.

Insure the watch and enjoy that beauty. Scratches will happen and you can lightly polish it every few years to make it look new again

[SLWoodster]

1. Some people buy a Porsche 911 to look at it in the garage.

2. Some people drive it daily.

3. Some people are fearful and baby it until they also get the GTS, turbo, and GT3, then the Porsche 911 just becomes the beater.

Be #3

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

1. Some people buy a Porsche 911 to look at it in the garage.

2. Some people drive it daily.

3. Some people are fearful and baby it until they also get the GTS, turbo, and GT3, then the Porsche 911 just becomes the beater.

Be #3

Well played

........
.......

OP or.....

or be 4. Some people take them to the race track and use them to their fullest. It can easily be serviced by RSC and made brand new again.

Be 4. ...

[joli160]

Just sell it. If a dead piece of metal gives you anxiety why keep it

[911991]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Well played

........
.......

OP or.....

or be 4. Some people take them to the race track and use them to their fullest. It can easily be serviced by RSC and made brand new again.

Be 4. ...

interesting, all the Porsche people I know drive their cars, maybe not daily, but they certainly dont baby them except for maintenance. Taking mine to the track next month Life is to short to buy trophies...

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by 911991

Life is to short to buy trophies...

Unless it's a trophy wife ;-)
.
.

OP buy an H Moser, a Cartier, an MB&F, and a Rolex DD40. Wear and enjoy.

PS: You best be tracking the McLaren.

[MYK]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

1. Some people buy a Porsche 911 to look at it in the garage.

2. Some people drive it daily.

3. Some people are fearful and baby it until they also get the GTS, turbo, and GT3, then the Porsche 911 just becomes the beater.

Be #3

I love this!

[Bambooshoot]

I understand your position OP and get where you are coming from. I have the same issue every time I buy a new watch. We all want them to look like they did when we tried them on the day of purchase. Nothing wrong with this.

But life is short and you really should (in my opinion) try to get over the anxiety and enjoy it.

My last purchase was a RG Daytona which I told myself I will wear without worry.

I had a holiday booked a couple of weeks after and wore the watch ever day, everywhere (beach, pool, evening meals) and enjoyed the hell out of it. Yes i have a few scratches but its only probably me who notices them anyway.

Enjoy that beautiful watch!

[ArtNouveau]

I wore a white 116520 as a daily from 2000-2004, the traded that for a black dial I wore for another four years. It’s a rugged watch that can take whatever abuse you can dish out. Either wear it or sell it, that’s a lot to spend and not use it.

[sgtpeper]

Funny you say that - my Ferrari now has 40k miles on it and my McLaren almost 20k - I do drive the crap out of them but it did take having multiple fun cars to help me think that way.

Soooo basically, I need to buy another watch and I'll be fine. :)

[77T]

Originally Posted by sgtpeper

Soooo basically, I need to buy another watch and I'll be fine. :)

But of course...

Rolex Marketing 101: You can never have enough...

You don't have to wait - start wearing the Daytona with reckless abandon.


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[whatisarolexym]

It is your money and your watch. It is really up to you whether you wear it a lot or keep it in the box. There is no rule about how much you should wear it and ignore all people who say "a Rolex is meant to be worn". It's your own watch and you decide how.

Generally after the first scratch, you end up not caring as much about further scratches. Rolex, I believe, will polish a watch 2 or 3 times during its lifetime, so every 10/15 years or so, you will have a shiny new looking watch.

Another option is to get a protection kit online which I think just are some stickers you put on the links and clasp to protect from scratches.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by sgtpeper

Soooo basically, I need to buy another watch and I'll be fine. :)

Seems you’re learning quick. As others have said the first scratches, which are inevitable, hurt the most. After those you can start fully enjoying your watch


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[padi56]

Just cannot understand why anyone would buy any watch if they are afraid to wear it incase it gets scratched.

[Noahgraph]

Although I agree that Rolex' are made to be worn, it is up to you to find a way to enjoy your watch. If that would be babying it and wearing it on sundays in order to get the most enjoyment out of it then why not?!

[S.Explorer]

Change your mindset - if you don't wear it, it owns you!

Just don't rest it on hard surfaces and it will look great for years!

[2001jesper]

Just start wearing it daily and it will normalise over time. Its just a watch

[Porschen]

I was nervous when I bought my first Rolex, but that quickly wore off when I slammed it into a door frame and it was fine. LOL

[Ali1009]

OP if your afraid of wearing your watch because you might scratch is, you shouldn't have bought it in the first instance. No one likes scratches on their watch, but it's part of the hobby. I remember the first scratch on my 116500 I was devastated, but now I've got scars all over the watch and love everyone of them. When I pass the watch down.my kids will hopefully embrace them.

[hojlund]

sell the daytona and buy a tudor chrono to wear instead, then you may not be worrying about scratches and enjoy your watch peacefully.

[tommm]

Scratches do NOT matter! It’s a stainless steel watch mate. It’s designed to get scratches and dings. They look better for it. Don’t baby the watch it’s rugged it can handle it. You’re not dealing with a white gold dress Patek here. It’s a stainless steel tool watch. It’s literally designed to be beaten up.

Give it age, give it scratches. It’s part of its life. Don’t ever polish it.

There’s even an argument with 116520s that you can get the polish surfaces fully brushed. I’ve seen this done on insta and they look great. I wouldn’t do it and just let it be.

But wear it, beat it up or sell it

[Tim Plains]

Do you wear any other watches and are they beat up or scratched?

[jitdc]

Wear it! That’s the joy of having it!


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[swils8610]

Just wear it and enjoy it. Stop thinking so much.


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[csaltphoto]

Jeez, kind of dogpile going on here... OP I totally get it. I wanted a Sub half my life and when I got it I did just look at for the weekend... I was nervous about actually wearing it too. It looked so pristine! And it seemed like an extravagant amount of money to spend on a watch. I wore it around the house some over the weekend. Monday morning came and I put it on and went to work. Put a nice scratch on it too. Oh well. I've worn it every day for the past 6 years and of course it has some wear. Nothing that would even be visible from more than a foot away though. The thing is, I really enjoy it everyday. And I wouldn't if it was sitting home somewhere. I suggest wearing it.

[Old Geezer]

IMO, you got a great watch so wear it and enjoy it. In 5 to 7 years send it to RSC for service and let them return it to like new condition as of the part of the service process.
Flame suit on.....Sorry, I don't subscribe to the mindset of never polishing a watch. I wear mine and when they get serviced, I want them coming back looking as close to when they were new as RSC can make them.

[Mystro]

It’s still early. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Perhaps you baby it a bit first, who cares it’s yours to enjoy how you feel comfortable. Stop stressing it and let your self relax, adjust and bond to the watch. Wear it on your next vacation. Once it becomes more than $$$$ and becomes special with memories, you will wear it.

[brandrea]

No mistake made IMO. You’ll get used to wearing it in good time

[Guppydriver]

Wondering if you made a mistake is probably evidence that you didn’t make a mistake.

It just shows that you (1.) really admire and appreciate the watch and that (2.) It represents a very significant financial purchase as it does for many buyers.

My advice…

Baby it for a while and enjoy the flawlessness of the watch. Little by little, you will replace the satisfaction of looking at the watch with satisfaction of wearing the watch.

Despite what people say here, it’s a normal process. Congrats on being a Daytona owner BTW, it’s a great reference.