Protective film on my Rolex

[WiseRat]

Personally, I have been putting 3M ViViD helicopter tape (that's what all these watch protection sticker kits are) on the clasps of my watches for about 14 years. It keeps the clasp scratch free, is almost invisible, and the tape lasts for years. No issues with dirt or peeling at all. My daily wear Seamaster 300M 2254.50 from 2008 still looks perfect as a result.

You can buy a big roll of the 3M ViViD helicopter tape on Ebay for cheap. If you are handy with a hobby knife and loupe, you can cut and apply your own clasp stickers for pennies on the dollar.

[Modiferous]

Originally Posted by The Stifmeister

With a watch, you cannot wrap the edges and this results in dirt collecting over time. I can see the edges clearly in your photos despite your post saying otherwise. That dirt will eventually act as an abrasive with time and damage the finish underneath.

I wore a brand new watch to the beach (not a Rolex, but a very high end timepiece) without removing the factory film. Beach sand got under the film and then when I removed the film I noticed the fine scratches. Would have been better off I think removing all the factory film before first use.

So, it doesn't even take time - just once might be enough to get the watch to a state where would have been better off with no film.

[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by WiseRat

Personally, I have been putting 3M ViViD helicopter tape (that's what all these watch protection sticker kits are) on the clasps of my watches for about 14 years. It keeps the clasp scratch free, is almost invisible, and the tape lasts for years. No issues with dirt or peeling at all. My daily wear Seamaster 300M 2254.50 from 2008 still looks perfect as a result.

You can buy a big roll of the 3M ViViD helicopter tape on Ebay for cheap. If you are handy with a hobby knife and loupe, you can cut and apply your own clasp stickers for pennies on the dollar.

Thanks for the suggestion.


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[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by WiseRat

Personally, I have been putting 3M ViViD helicopter tape (that's what all these watch protection sticker kits are) on the clasps of my watches for about 14 years. It keeps the clasp scratch free, is almost invisible, and the tape lasts for years. No issues with dirt or peeling at all. My daily wear Seamaster 300M 2254.50 from 2008 still looks perfect as a result.

You can buy a big roll of the 3M ViViD helicopter tape on Ebay for cheap. If you are handy with a hobby knife and loupe, you can cut and apply your own clasp stickers for pennies on the dollar.

No they are NOT all the same and the 3M Vivid is Superior and thicker than others that I've seen and touched thare are on the market.

I think you should also look into doing the high polished areas at least on the side of the mid case

Definitely a good idea to pick up a roll from eBay or Amazon.

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[DJ2020]

Wow, what a range of opinions and judgments on this subject. I guess I should include mine.

What a watch owner does with his or her watch is there business in my opinion. I get it though, they purchase a nice shiny highly polished new watch because they like the way it looked. I can understand some folks wanting to keep it that way.

For me it's a strong heck no! A new watch is only new once. I have some nice GS44 Grand Seikos. Now talk about highly polished. But those watches are reserved to safer wearing environments. I do take care not to scratch them. But I have others to wear to work. Some of the places that my watches go would make most people scream in horror. Yes they certainly get scratches. But about twice a year I will refinish them with some quality brushing tools that I am very proficient with. In fact I can usually match factory brushing.

But what I think most people that protect there watches are missing is the feel of a worn smooth bracelet and case caused by years of continuous wear. That's a comfortable watch my friends! And those worn daily, scratched, dinged and worn are almost always my favorite. The more I wear them, the more comfortable I am with them. Like a trusty companion so to speak. Actually I am impressed with them because there still working perfectly after all they have been threw.

[SS Oyster]

Lovely stuff, precisely cut, fairly easy to install - only caveat is case sides with bulge to them like YM, SkyD or Daytona). AD didn’t even notice when I brought one in for added jubilee link. Told him afterwards, so he looked it all over and said it looked terrific.

https://invisishieldlab.com/

For jubilee bracelet models, I only do case sides, lugs and polished sections of clasp. For PCL oyster, I cover case sides, lugs, PCLs and polished parts of clasp.

About $75 per watch; pretty cheap to keep my watches looking good. Six months or so in with no signs of lifting.

I would only recommend putting this on a new watch. For that reason, I don’t have anything on my Sub 12LV or Explorer II, which would have only got it on the case sides.


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[Bigsoftee]

I use it on some of my PM pieces that have PCL’s. Keeps them in great condition, I just don’t get the “scratch” crowd. If you put a scratch on a car it does not give you great memories, so why would having scratches on your your give you the same feeling? Ah yes that was when someone in a trolley at the supermarket scratched my car, brilliant memory….. Each to their own of course.

Also my car has a PPF kit too for reference :)

[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by Bigsoftee

I use it on some of my PM pieces that have PCL’s. Keeps them in great condition, I just don’t get the “scratch” crowd. If you put a scratch on a car it does not give you great memories, so why would having scratches on your your give you the same feeling? Ah yes that was when someone in a trolley at the supermarket scratched my car, brilliant memory….. Each to their own of course.



Also my car has a PPF kit too for reference :)

I'm sorry but you COMPLETELY left out the added CHARACTER component navigate from scratches breed to a watch... It's not about memories only but it's about the watch building character.... You didn't know, bro?

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[bnsxn]

It's a preference thing if you ask me , but it isn't something i will go for.

[VonSomething]

Back when watches were available and traded below retail this was never an issue. I understand the merit behind stickers (on cars and watches), it's just not for me.

[trackingtime]

these are huge in Asia, especially singapore. lol

[SS Oyster]

One question for all naysayers:

Would you rather your next pre-owned Rolex purchase be covered in protective film (w/o scratches underneath) or covered it in scuffs and scratches?


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[amphr1]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

One question for all naysayers:

Would you rather your next pre-owned Rolex purchase be covered in protective film or covered it in scuffs and scratches?


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The naysayers would only buy from AD of course brand new. Remember they think they buy a watch because they like the watch and their taste in them never change so they never sell because it's not an investment.

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[gwozhog]

cant get this photo to load

https://i.redd.it/q5m62jwk39i61.jpg

[The Stifmeister]

Originally Posted by trackingtime

these are huge in Asia, especially singapore. lol

I noticed that during my recent visit over there. Being a local, is there any particular reasons why? Genuine question btw.

I also saw most wore watches significantly bigger than their wrists (lugs hanging over). Different from the norms on here.

[Xky]

I’m trying to think about this pragmatically, the stickers will eventually start to peel and get dirty, then those who have the patience or spare tape will keep reapplying them.

My guess is most owners will just give up after while and the wanting it kept in pristine condition feeling wears off, or just can’t be bothered with the effort of reapplying them.

Let’s say your watch was behind stickers for 30/50 years, would that watch still have that like new shine and look? I really don’t know, maybe it’s different for PM pieces and SS.

Would keeping a watch behind stickers for a lifetime spoil the enjoyment? I guess there’s 2 way of looking at at that, yes it would kinda spoil the enjoyment of carefree wearing, in turn it maybe more enjoyable for some keeping a watch as pristine as possible, kinda part of the watch ownership/hobby journey.

But the whole ridiculing others doesn’t seem correct to me for wanting to try the process.

The other way of looking at this is, what do some people expect other members to say, after all this is a forum of expensive watches, and those owners just enjoy them, and this whole subject is just pointless, just buy the thing and enjoy it, that’s what’s it’s all about, at the end of the day it’s a watch meant to be worn without all this fuss, and not this sticker subject again.

Either way we are just sharing our experience and thoughts, and if it makes it more enjoyable for a time that’s the main thing IMHO.


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[INC]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Would you rather your next pre-owned Rolex purchase be covered in protective film (w/o scratches underneath) or covered it in scuffs and scratches?

So you're suggesting the others to use this protection to make the next owner happier?

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by INC

So you're suggesting the others to use this protection to make the next owner happier?

Or to make the present owner happier when he gets more money for his watch.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

One question for all naysayers:

Would you rather your next pre-owned Rolex purchase be covered in protective film (w/o scratches underneath) or covered it in scuffs and scratches?


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I wouldn’t care. The price I pay is based on condition and since I buy watches to wear I don’t necessarily hunt for pristine examples because by the time I get around to selling it it’s probably not going to be pristine anymore.

[173rdabn]

Oooookay, If it makes you happy, no problem.

[Django_]

I prefer having the protective film on my watches. I've got it on 4 of the watches I own and don't feel it detracts from the look.

I like keeping my watches pristine and it definitely lets me wear them worry free.

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[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by Django_

I prefer having the protective film on my watches. I've got it on 4 of the watches I own and don't feel it detracts from the look.

I like keeping my watches pristine and it definitely lets me wear them worry free.

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Which one are you using?

[mikel]

I thought the watch looked scratched under the protective
film but realised the gorilla glass on my phone was cracked.

[Django_]

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

Which one are you using?

Invisishield Lab, it really is pretty invisible. I've got it on the entire watches including the bezel of my Sub/GMT and the crystal.

On my Cartier Santos Large I use the brand Styx, there seems to be much less choices for the Cartier.

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[The Stifmeister]

Originally Posted by Django_

I prefer having the protective film on my watches. I've got it on 4 of the watches I own and don't feel it detracts from the look.

I like keeping my watches pristine and it definitely lets me wear them worry free.

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Your photos bring up a point I was making earlier in this thread. Look at the 12 o’clock portion of your bracelets. The brushed section shouldn’t be that glossy naturally. You can also see the dirt around the edges of the cut outs on your DJ41, 6 o’clock side is most obvious. The sub has the same problem too especially on the 6 o’clock end links. Kinda like having a crusty booger at the end of one’s nostril lol.

I’m not for or against the film as previously stated. Whatever makes the owner more comfortable and likely to wear.

[Boaters]

Nope not for me. If I had to put plastic all over my watch I wouldn't wear it.

[russ86]

Out of curiosity, I Purchased protective film for my Daytona, had it on for about 30 minutes before it became too annoying. Definitely not for me.

[Reikolexguy]

The film peels off over a couple of months if you wash your watch daily. Especially the clasp area.

For the film pieces that have delaminated at the corners, I just peel them off entirely and live with my watch accumulating scratches over time. Feels liberating.


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[eespi003]

Good for you.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Django_

Wow.