Why are some people discouraged with PCLs?

[TheVTCGuy]

I took a short plane flight today, the man that sat next to me had a Rolex. Whenever I have the oppurtunity, I try to strike up a conversation. I know, I know, there have been threads and threads on whether or not you SHOULD, but if the person is not occupied, I (always being very respectful) compliment them on their watch. You can tell immediately if they are comfortable or not with the topic and if not, then I simply say: "That's a very nice watch" and leave them alone. If however, they happen to be a WIS, I have had many a memorable conversations with fellow watch enthusiasts. Anyway, getting back to today...

I could see it was a Rolex, and a DJ, and especially noticed the PCLs, how really nice they looked. When I complimented him on it a smile immediately came over his face. He turned out to be a WIS as well. He said he purchased it four years ago, and it was a replacement for another DJ that he had had 25 years! Which by the way, he still had and still ran perfectly, he just decided he deserved a new one. He complimented me on my EX II, and we talked about the new models, sizes, and I especially mentioned how nice the PCLs looked.

I have had them on my Daytona, but no other Rolex, and thought they looked amazing; but it seems to me here on TRF there are quite a few members that are not a fan. I have even seen threads where people have described "fixing" their DJ (or whatever model with PCLs) by taking a scotch pad and scratching them out. My question is: Why? I would not expect to see them on my EX, it is supposed to be worn exploring caves, and climbing mountains etc. I.e. A working watch. But on, say a DJ, or Daytona, or even a GMT, I find them to add a touch of... "Bling" WITHOUT showing "Bling" Not explaining it very well but one of the reasons I am excited about (hopefully) a new SS DJ 41 coming out IS that it will (again hopefully) HAVE PCLs; I just think they add an extra-yet-subtle "glimmer" to the whole watch. So my question is to those of you that have or will or would actually REMOVE the PCLs on your watches... Why? Hey, it is YOUR watch and wear it however makes you happy, but what is wrong with PCLs?

[OmegaJJH]

Paul, I'm with you.

I'm desperate to own a watch with PCL. whenever I see them in the wild they look fantastic.

I'm considering a hulk and getting the bracelet converted to PCL's seems as the Daytona appears to be years and years away.

[MonBK]

Nothing is wrong with PCL's.

[Tony64]

Nothing wrong with them at all, and I agree completely with Paul's reasoning of a working watch vs a wearing watch. Now I know that this will probably come as a shock to you, but there are the *occasional* members that worry over scratches, which are of course much more visible on the polished surfaces. And THAT'S the problem with PCL's.

Cap'n Obvious, signing out.

[Masteryacht]

They scratch so darn easily. I would still rather have them. They do look good.

[kilyung]

Virtually every bracelet I own has PCLs so...

[Rackness]

Variety is the spice of life. If you like them great if you do not, change them. The great thing about this sickness is there is something for everyone.

[Jason71]

They are so easy to brush-finish like a Sub bracelet......if you don't like them. I can never understand why PCLs preclude someone from buying a given watch

[Charlie_pace]

I agree, however, it just seems weird to me to modify a watch this way. If I saw a BLNR in the wild, and it didn't have PCL's, the first thing I'd think would to question if it was real.

Originally Posted by Jason71

They are so easy to brush-finish like a Sub bracelet......if you don't like them. I can never understand why PCLs preclude someone from buying a given watch

[Mrkamir9]

I love PCL's...and honestly, I don't get a lot of scratches on mine. Sure they might show some swirls, but a scratch is much different then swirl marks. I'd rather have a scratch on my PCL then a brushed center link-to me it's more noticeable on brushed. Also, it's really easy to polish every year or two and make it look brand new with some cape cod. Gold PCL's are a bit different, I would never polish myself...cape cod makes it much worse! Leave that to the pros!


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[Juantxo]

It's simple a matter of taste but I don't much care for polished center links. Moreover, the polished clasp scratches all too easily.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

I have owned the older style bluesy for years and didn't mind the PCLs but ever since I shifted to subs and sea dwellers, I cannot go back to the bluesy. I love the all brushed look.

[tkerrmd]

I'm good with them...

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

I'm good with them...

I'm with Tom. I love the pcls on my 116710. I really like how they age with the watch. I think all the nicks, swirls, dings, and scratches enhance a watch. You'd have to be well within my personal space to notice the patina on my pcls. One of these days I'll upload some pictures. What photo sharing service do most of you use?

[crowncollection]

I am nor I like them


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[Watchgeek5000]

Love the PCL's on watches the come with them (Milgauss, GMT, Datejust) but wouldn't add them to a watch that comes brushed. Nor, would I ever remove them from a model that comes with them. IMO, a sub with PCL's would look fake to me, likewise a new GMT all brushed.

[beshannon]

No idea.

Everything scratches.

[raclaims]

I really like them I think it gives the watch some interest
Never understood why some people don't like them

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by raclaims

I really like them I think it gives the watch some interest
Never understood why some people don't like them

Too flashy.

[Majin Buu]

PCL?, useful for me!, very happy !

J.

[superstarmar]

All my Rolex have PCL's ..:

[T. Ferguson]

To a great extent those that really don't like PCLs are very particular about battle scars on a watch and like to try to keep theirs as minty fresh as possible. There are many that fit this category. Of those, plenty can't stand the slightest scratch on a watch and have cape cod cloths in the tool kit.

Personally, unless the watch is closely examined while sitting on a pedestal under bright lights in a display case, scratches don't show enough to bother me, whether the bracelet is brushed or polished. Take Dr. Tom's WG Sub as an example. When he posts close ups of it I'm like "Good Lord, it looks like it fell in the garbage disposal." But if he and the Mrs. were dining at the table next to mine and I noticed it, all I'd see would be a stunning WG Sub.

Then there are those that feel a tool watch shouldn't have polished center links. Perhaps that was true in simpler times when a Rolex was actually the best tool for the job it was designed to do. Oh, and wasn't 10 large. I'm particularly amused when this argument is in regard to the GMT, as though it's a hammer or wrench, when indeed it is a white collar tool designed for the suit wearing crowd be it the cockpit or the board room.

[Cryten]

I like them, it adds another dimension to the bracelet. Even with scratches and swirlies on them they still look polished, only the wearer notices.

[Delawareguy]

Ok, I give up, what are Plc's and what are W I S?


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[droptopman]

Originally Posted by Delawareguy

Ok, I give up, what are Plc's and what are W I S?


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Polished Center Links = PCL's
As in the center links on a bracelet.

Watch Idiot Savant = WIS
As in most of us that spend time here!


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[Delawareguy]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Polished Center Links = PCL's
As in the center links on a bracelet.

Watch Idiot Savant = WIS
As in most of us that spend time here!


Sent using the "Force"

Got it thanks!



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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Delawareguy

Ok, I give up, what are Plc's and what are W I S?


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PCL Polished Center Link

WIS Watch Idiot Savant

[speedmaster73]

i think some OCD think every 'scratch' 'swirl' that a PCL obtains everyone can see.....

NO ONE can see your 'swirls'

ive been ripping a PCL IWC for 6 years now and when on wrist minus magnifying glass NO ONE can see your 'swirls'

some like PCLs or dont....but do not avoid buying a watch over the MYTH of PCLs.......

[JUSTIFIED]

I totally agree... they look great!

[azguy]

hate em, never like them, way to much flash and bling for me...what can I say