Nicked the bezel of my Explorer I

[DaveInLA]

I'm generally very careful when I wear my more expensive watches, but I somehow managed to put a 1/2-1mm nick on the polished bezel of my Explorer I. I don't have the camera or photography skills to capture this in a photo, but it's pretty much what you would expect if you were to hit the edge of the watch against something hard (which I actually don't recall doing). It's at 7:00-8:00 and on the outer edge of the slanted bezel right before it becomes brushed. It looks like it's an indentation, but I can't feel any deformity with my finger. It's pretty obvious to the naked eye in the right (or wrong) lighting.

What can be done about this? The fact that it's on the polished part of the bezel probably makes it harder to buff out. Can RSC take care of it? If so, what kind of cost should I expect?

[Rambam]

If the ding is on the bezel, Im pretty certain you can change just the bezel if it bothers you.
Im not sure of the price though, I got quoted about 300 dollars to change the bezel of my ExpyII.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by DaveInLA

I'm generally very careful when I wear my more expensive watches, but I somehow managed to put a 1/2-1mm nick on the polished bezel of my Explorer I. I don't have the camera or photography skills to capture this in a photo, but it's pretty much what you would expect if you were to hit the edge of the watch against something hard (which I actually don't recall doing). It's at 7:00-8:00 and on the outer edge of the slanted bezel right before it becomes brushed. It looks like it's an indentation, but I can't feel any deformity with my finger. It's pretty obvious to the naked eye in the right (or wrong) lighting.

What can be done about this? The fact that it's on the polished part of the bezel probably makes it harder to buff out. Can RSC take care of it? If so, what kind of cost should I expect?

Try not to worry about it. An Explorer should be used, and dings and nicks makes it your watch rather than any watch.

Best,

A

[Colnago]

I agree with both posts.....however, your bezel could (and I stress the word could) be significantly cheaper to replace than a Explorer II's due to the fact that it is (IMO) beautifully plain and not engraved (which I also love) like the Explorer II...I love both of these models and they are on my "need" list which seems to be growing almost daily.....on another note, I would doubt if you could buff it out yourself.....RSC may do just that, but they may just replace it, if you don't get charged I bet you would never know anyway if it was a brand new one or your old one.....it's simple really, if it bothers you get it changed, nobody can tell you really that it should or shouldn't bother you, it's your watch, you have to look at it.......to me they are beautifull with or without "war wounds"

[Tools]

It's possible that a fibre pen can be used to soften the edges of the ding, blending it into the area and making it less visible..

Or, you could keep wearing it and eventually the bezel will develop a patina around it's entirety making the ding unnoticeable.

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

[kzm40]

Originally Posted by DaveInLA

I'm generally very careful when I wear my more expensive watches, but I somehow managed to put a 1/2-1mm nick on the polished bezel of my Explorer I. I don't have the camera or photography skills to capture this in a photo, but it's pretty much what you would expect if you were to hit the edge of the watch against something hard (which I actually don't recall doing). It's at 7:00-8:00 and on the outer edge of the slanted bezel right before it becomes brushed. It looks like it's an indentation, but I can't feel any deformity with my finger. It's pretty obvious to the naked eye in the right (or wrong) lighting.

What can be done about this? The fact that it's on the polished part of the bezel probably makes it harder to buff out. Can RSC take care of it? If so, what kind of cost should I expect?

I did the same to a DJ.. with smooth bezel.. I waited till service time, and it came back with what looked like a new bezel. It would be much cheaper to replace then a EXP 2 bezel,

[sea-dweller]

I did the same thing to my Explorer 1, at the 11:00 position. What I did was to use a small touch of Blue Magic polish cream, along with a cotton swab (Q Tip) and lightly buff it out. It took out the ding. (Try at your own risk, though.)

[DaveInLA]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The bezel is polished, not brushed; will the Blue Magic still work well on it?

[sea-dweller]

Yes. I used it on the polished bezel of my Explorer 1 and had good results with it. The nick on my bezel was superficial though, and the Blue Magic took it out nicely.

Originally Posted by DaveInLA

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The bezel is polished, not brushed; will the Blue Magic still work well on it?

[DaveInLA]

I think the nick on my bezel is deeper than yours is. I thought it was 1/2mm, but it's at least a full 1 mm. It's easily visible with the naked eye, but under a loupe, it looks more like a gash.

I'll see about Blue Magic-- but how does it work? Is it a filler or a polish?

[kyle L]

Its ok man, wear your watch and don't worry. Mine has a dent and a few scratches, but I don't mind. Lets say... it has "character".

[Dalton]

It's gonna ding. On an ExpyII, if the ding is on the polished area it can be filled and then reshaped, and repolished, which is less expensive. I'd suggest fixing, but only if it's really bad.

[sea-dweller]

Blue Magic is a metal polish. Here, in Northern Cal, it can be purchased at automotive supply stores such as Pep Boys, etc.

I don't know the degree of the imperfection on your Explorer, so it may or may not work. I had a superficial gash on my bezel and it took it out nicely. Obviously, if you have a deep gash, it will not work.

Originally Posted by DaveInLA

I think the nick on my bezel is deeper than yours is. I thought it was 1/2mm, but it's at least a full 1 mm. It's easily visible with the naked eye, but under a loupe, it looks more like a gash.

I'll see about Blue Magic-- but how does it work? Is it a filler or a polish?

[Rebel]

I agree with young Kyle, wear it and enjoy.

Don't let the scratch get you down.

My Expy II has gained some scratches along the way and it looks great to me.