Quick question about wear on ref. and case numbers between the lugs

[WatchFanZac]

Hello all,

I am noticing as I do research that many vintage examples I see for sale have considerable wear between the lugs partially obscuring the case and/or reference numbers.

Do members here have a theory on how the wear occurs? Does it result particularly from use with leather straps as opposed to OEM bracelets? Is it a result of sweat, sea water or other corosive? Some examples I see have pronounced wear and others have next to none. Is there an explanation for this (other than varying levels of use by their owners)?

An 16750 (c.1986) I am interested in has pristine markings between the lugs beautifully preserved. Will wearing the watch on a NATO strap cause more wear on the area than wearing it on the jubilee bracelet? I'm a fan of leather NATOs do you think it is going to speed up the wear if I put it on one?

Regards,

Zac

[ecsub44]

It's caused by the non-SEL of the Role bracelet moving slightly while the watch is being worn. More wear means the watch was worn more often...less wear probably means a safe queen.

And your NATO probably won't cause any wear like you are describing. Although it can mark up the caseback in some cases.

[SWIMPRUF]

It's caused by non solid endlinks.

[dddrees]

A Nato strap won't even to touch that area, so it shouldn't be a concern.

[WatchFanZac]

Originally Posted by dddrees

A Nato strap won't even to touch that area, so it shouldn't be a concern.

I had a think about it today and the Nato only just touches the crisp edge of the case right down near the case back no where near the engraved numbers. I can't wait to take some pics of these imaculate between the lug areas.

Zac

[swish77]

Loose end pieces on the bracelet are the culprits. Over the years, even slightly loose end pieces can rub and rub and rub that area, taking off parts of the numbers. The rub marks are usually a very distinctive shape, almost like a half moon, because the end pieces are curved, of course. However, properly adjusted end pieces on a non-SEL bracelet shouldn't do this. On older watches those end pieces just have a tendency to loosen up over time and often they become slightly bent. At an RSC service, the tech will either adjust the end pieces or just replace them. So, worn areas between the lugs can also be an indication that a vintage watch wasn't serviced much, or that someone wore it a lot.