The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 21 August 2021, 07:26 AM   #1
jlovda
"TRF" Member
 
jlovda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: John
Location: Midwest
Watch: 5513,1675,216570
Posts: 1,505
Scratches on Exp II bezel

I got two scratches in my Exp II bezel. I was trying to wave another car to go past me while I was stopped on a country road taking pictures. I hit the top of my side window. Any methods to at least minimize the appearance or am I stuck with these for life? Glass is apparently harder than 904 steel.

It isn't worth it but can the bezel be removed and replaced?

Thanks

Name:  IMG_1624b.JPG
Views: 933
Size:  107.4 KB
jlovda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 07:32 AM   #2
DC116710LN
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: US
Posts: 1,057
The bezel can be replaced during service if needed. I'm not sure how to treat scratches though
DC116710LN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 07:46 AM   #3
Walster
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 149
Looks fine. It’s going to get nicks and scratches. As soon as you come to that realization, the happier you will be.
Walster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 07:52 AM   #4
jlovda
"TRF" Member
 
jlovda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: John
Location: Midwest
Watch: 5513,1675,216570
Posts: 1,505
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walster View Post
Looks fine. It’s going to get nicks and scratches. As soon as you come to that realization, the happier you will be.
Thank you, you made me feel better already.

It's interesting though. People comment about PCL's being scratch magnets but the super fine radial engravings on this watch can be a problem.
jlovda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 08:39 AM   #5
Grapenut
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Grapenut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: IAH
Watch: GMT(s) & Sub
Posts: 290
At least you'll always remember the story for that scratch, and not have to worry if the RSC caused it during a service.
Grapenut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 08:53 AM   #6
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,514
Name:  HS2834-C.jpg
Views: 811
Size:  176.6 KB
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 08:56 AM   #7
GMT Aviator
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GMT Aviator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Real Name: Mike
Location: London
Posts: 3,318
This above….

Gently wipe the brush outwards from the Crystal to the edge of the bezel. It will help lessen the scratches for sure but won’t remove them completely. Just take your time. It’s worked with mine well enough that the scratches were much diminished after using the brush.
GMT Aviator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 09:09 AM   #8
214270Explorer
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Watch: me buy Watches
Posts: 3,955
That scratch is 'nothing' in the long run.
And you WILL get more over the years.
__________________
The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind

Rolex "some"
Tudor "some"
Damasko "some"
Misc Pieces "some"
Marathon "some"
GS Spring Drive "some"
Hamilton "some"
Findeisen "some"
214270Explorer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:11 AM   #9
Rebel
"TRF" Member
 
Rebel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail
Location: New Albany
Watch: Tudor Sub 75090
Posts: 8,254
It's a great watch. Meant to be worn and in rugged places. Scratches will come.
__________________
-------------------------------
Member of the Nylon Nation
Rebel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 07:41 PM   #10
MrMercedes
"TRF" Member
 
MrMercedes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Real Name: David
Location: here and there
Watch: too many!
Posts: 3,588
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebel View Post
It's a great watch. Meant to be worn and in rugged places. Scratches will come.
MrMercedes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 07:50 PM   #11
zapokee
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,367
Just enjoy the wear.

You can't be stressing about every scratch and blemish. It's part of owning, well, anything really.
zapokee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:33 AM   #12
Greg.A
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Hillside
Posts: 364
How can a cave explorer watch remains unscathed??? Gives the watch more character with daily scars
Greg.A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 04:48 PM   #13
PekWatchGuy
"TRF" Member
 
PekWatchGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Finland
Posts: 241
+1

Quote:
Originally Posted by greg.a View Post
how can a cave explorer watch remains unscathed??? Gives the watch more character with daily scars
PekWatchGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:42 AM   #14
tquieng
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 334
Get sand paper and gently move it with the grain
tquieng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:50 AM   #15
cvo
"TRF" Member
 
cvo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: C Vo
Location: Georgia
Watch: 117610LN 116610LN
Posts: 1,014
Barely noticeable - no worries, enjoy your tool watch.
cvo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:52 AM   #16
GolfJunkie
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GolfJunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
Posts: 5,103
OP, the Exp II is one of my favorite watches and I’ve had my polar for about 5 years now. I’ve worn it hard and the bezel shows some dents and scratches. At first i wanted it replaced immediately but the more I’ve worn it I’ve come to not let it bother me. It’s bound to happen with the steel bezel. Some of the suggestions above might be worth a shot or just wait until service and request a new one.

I was able to source a bezel so i have a back up if i ever want to change it out.




__________________
2FA Enabled
GolfJunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 11:08 AM   #17
chris242
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
chris242's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: The Bahamas
Watch: 116610lv
Posts: 1,078
if scratches on the bezel bother you, sell it now. it’s a magnet, but they add so much character to the watch…don’t worry about the small things and just enjoy the amazing timepiece you have on your wrist. just my .02
chris242 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 11:39 AM   #18
afmars
"TRF" Member
 
afmars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Andrew
Location: USA
Watch: BLRO
Posts: 738
Live with it or replace it, anything other than those two will make it worse. I wouldn’t touch it.
afmars is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 12:37 PM   #19
mike morris
"TRF" Member
 
mike morris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Real Name: Mike
Location: New York-Miami
Watch: SUB40-DJ36-YM40
Posts: 1,068
I change all my watch for ceramic bezel and jubilee or brush bracelet for not worry about scratch every day.
mike morris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 01:20 PM   #20
Kevin of Larchmont
2024 Pledge Member
 
Kevin of Larchmont's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: The Ice House
Watch: Ingersoll Mickey
Posts: 3,399
My AD told me a few years ago that they have a Rolex special tool that allows them to polish the Exp II bezel back to as new condition. They can’t be the only one.
Kevin of Larchmont is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 03:20 PM   #21
havingagoodtime
"TRF" Member
 
havingagoodtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Jason
Location: San Francisco
Watch: 16610 / 16570
Posts: 276
I wish I could remember where every scratch came from on my daily wearer. It's not bad at all, I promise. Enjoy your watch to the fullest and one day you can pass along all of the stories and how the beauty marks were obtained.
havingagoodtime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 03:41 PM   #22
doboy007
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: SD, CA
Watch: BLNR/LVc/SkyD/ND41
Posts: 2,519
Bracelet is one thing but I would be bothered by scratches on the bezel. So I only buy ceramic bezeled watches :)
doboy007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 04:32 PM   #23
karteo
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: athens greece
Posts: 221
Don't worry about these is the best way to go. Otherwise you'll end up doing this all the time, probably ruining the looks of the bezel. After some years you can just replace the bezel.

Sent from my M2007J17G using Tapatalk
karteo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 05:15 PM   #24
OG1982
2024 Pledge Member
 
OG1982's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Real Name: Ollie
Location: UK
Watch: Sub41 OP36 & DJ36
Posts: 2,035
Sorry buddy, but I’m struggling to see any scratches?

With respect, if you like to keep your watches pristine then the Explorer II isn’t the watch for you. A ceramic offering would serve you better.

This is the one true tool watch in the Rolex lineup and is very much designed to take a hit or two during normal operation, as others have said it adds a character and builds memories.

If you can’t get your head around this, I’d suggest trading it for something else


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OG1982 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 05:21 PM   #25
myporsche
"TRF" Member
 
myporsche's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LA<>NY
Watch: Rolex♠Lange
Posts: 2,277
C'mon guys it's an Explorer II, an EXPLORER!! The scratches on the bezels should be a badge of honor!
myporsche is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 05:45 PM   #26
LA_LEC
"TRF" Member
 
LA_LEC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by myporsche View Post
C'mon guys it's an Explorer II, an EXPLORER!! The scratches on the bezels should be a badge of honor!
Absolutely without a doubt both Explorers look better the less shiny they become. They really do take on a beauty that only time can give them.
__________________
1661016610LV214270 MK2
"Life is far too short not to wear a Rolex!"
LA_LEC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 06:51 PM   #27
myporsche
"TRF" Member
 
myporsche's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LA<>NY
Watch: Rolex♠Lange
Posts: 2,277
Quote:
Originally Posted by LA_LEC View Post
Absolutely without a doubt both Explorers look better the less shiny they become. They really do take on a beauty that only time can give them.

myporsche is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 08:58 PM   #28
brnalkn
"TRF" Member
 
brnalkn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Turkey
Posts: 300
I dont understand these type of threads about scratches.This is a wrist watch and they can be scratched.I can understand broken parts but not these ones.If you afraid of scratches do not wear your watch,gshocks can be a better choice for you.
brnalkn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:06 PM   #29
watchwatcher
"TRF" Member
 
watchwatcher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Larry
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Yes
Posts: 35,047
That doesn't look bad at all, actually. Give it some time, there will be more.
watchwatcher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2021, 10:12 PM   #30
Bmcg
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Nc
Posts: 16
I have the white and black dial. Both of them are heavily used and have many scratches. After twenty years I did finally replace the bezel on the polar but it was really bad. I wear them everywhere, hunting fishing, mountain biking, diving etc. etc. I really feel like the explorers need to be treated this way and I also think the scratches give them character.
Bmcg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.