This Hurt

[sfbatman007]

It was bound to happen!
Just got this watch yesterday and tried to do a strap change myself and that damn spring bar slipped and took a piece of polished layer off!

Oh well, one of many.. Hopefully not too many lol but I will always remember this little guy





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[henrylee]

Ouch but it’s okay, battle wounds

[SS Oyster]

That’s not a layer ... Rolex white gold is pure. Unlike some other white golds, which are coated, Rolex white gold is pure through and through, so it’s just dented/scratched, which if it bothers you can be either polished out if not too deep or welded and refinished back to original.

Those lugs are very susceptible to this type of damage due to the way Rolex decided to construct the OF bracelet, which is a shame.

I think all OF bracelets should come with Glidelock clasp, so only very large size variances would required a OF change, which is what they did in the WG Yachtmaster 42mm.


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[peterpl]

Yep that is painful.

[EEpro]

The smallest that mark will ever be is today. If you try to buff it you'll distort the reflection and ruin the look of the lug. It's tiny and should be left alone until a time when you're ready to correctly laser weld and polish at service.

It's quite hard to see so just ignore and enjoy.

[sfbatman007]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

That’s not a layer ... Rolex white gold is pure. Unlike some other white golds, which are coated, Rolex white gold is pure through and through, so it’s just dented/scratched, which if it bothers you can be either polished out if not too deep or welded and refinished back to original.

Those lugs are very susceptible to this type of damage due to the way Rolex decided to construct the OF bracelet, which is a shame.

I think all OF bracelets should come with Glidelock clasp, so only very large size variances would required a OF change, which is what they did in the WG Yachtmaster 42mm.


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That's what I thought as well that Rolex cases don't have any rhodium plating like most white gold jewelry. It is probably a dent then and will just leave it as is for now.

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[sfbatman007]

Originally Posted by EEpro

The smallest that mark will ever be is today. If you try to buff it you'll distort the reflection and ruin the look of the lug. It's tiny and should be left alone until a time when you're ready to correctly laser weld and polish at service.

It's quite hard to see so just ignore and enjoy.

Yup, completely agree. Wouldn't want to polish this out and ruin the lug profile. Though I am surprised how easily and something so small like a spring bar was able to do this damage to the lug!

I know white gold is soft but didn't think it was this soft..

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[Singslinger]

I feel your pain sir, but luckily it isn't that noticeable.

Fantastic watch, by the way. Wear it in good health!

[scombs263]

Ouch. I feel for you.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by sfbatman007

Yup, completely agree. Wouldn't want to polish this out and ruin the lug profile. Though I am surprised how easily and something so small like a spring bar was able to do this damage to the lug!

I know white gold is soft but didn't think it was this soft..

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It's not the gold honestly, steel would have had the same thing done to it. I've seen that a dozen times on both sides of the lugs. I did it once myself on a previous steel sub.

People think it's tool marks but it's the spring bar sliding past the hole and blasting out the corner of the lug.

[hpintime1]

That is very hurtful, and I know exactly it feels.

[pug208]

I always put tape to cover areas which are prone to scratches while changing straps.

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by pug208

I always put tape to cover areas which are prone to scratches while changing straps.

x2

[sambb]

resale affected by 5, but ok if you keep it lomg term

[AG23]

Huge congrats on the watch- far and away my favourite Daytona.

And great attitude regarding the scratch- plenty more to come, as you say. Although I’d be a bit mad at myself doing in on day 2...

[alphadweller]

The springbar did that? Are you sure it wasn't the tool you used to remove the bracelet? Wow, if caused by the springbar, it really proves gold is much softer than steel. I've had springbars jumping out and it never left a scratch or dent on a steel lug.

In any case it will be taken care of by the RSC if need be.

[pbubsy]

Did this to one of my lugs. You'll forget about it after a while. Hardly noticeable.

[jhew]

Ouch!y You should get a proper tool (two forked ends) to remove the watch spring bars. My old watch lugs are open ended..hence easier to remove bracelet.

[Daveclock]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

The springbar did that? Are you sure it wasn't the tool you used to remove the bracelet? Wow, if caused by the springbar, it really proves gold is much softer than steel. I've had springbars jumping out and it never left a scratch or dent on a steel lug.

In any case it will be taken care of by the RSC if need be.

Originally Posted by jhew

Ouch!y You should get a proper tool (two forked ends) to remove the watch spring bars. My old watch lugs are open ended..hence easier to remove bracelet.

Sorry to hear, but even by my OCD standards that is a small blemish - I think it would later polish out and not be seen.
Certainly invest in the "proper" Bergeon tool for spring bars, even Rolex use it in their agent tools kits.
The spring bar comes out like a spring loaded centre punch when it is released - hence the "hammer" like damage it inflicts.
See below for the "cribbed" scale of softness of metals.

The Mohs Scale of Hardness for Metals

Here is a list of the hardness grades for some of the metals that you are most likely to come across in your everyday life, especially when dealing with jewelry:

Lead: 1.5
Tin: 1.5
Zinc: 2.5
Gold: 2.5-3
Silver: 2.5-3
Aluminum: 2.5-3
Copper: 3
Brass: 3
Bronze: 3
Nickel: 4
Platinum: 4-4.5
Steel: 4-4.5
Iron: 4.5
Palladium: 4.75
Rhodium: 6
Titanium: 6
Hardened steel: 7-8
Tungsten: 7.5
Tungsten carbide: 8.5-9

Why It Is Important to Know the Hardness of Metals

When the German geologist Friedrich Mohs devised the scale of hardness that we use today, he used a simple principle to determine the grade for each material: Which materials can scratch it, and which materials it can scratch.

For example, platinum, which has a hardness of 4-4.5, can be scratched by all materials that have a higher Mohs grade (such as topaz, which is graded 8), and it can in turn scratch any material that is graded lower (e.g., gold, which has a hardness of 2.5-3).

[Harry-57]

Rubber bands can be a lot more difficult to work with than bracelets.

Sellotape!

Could have been worse. Your beautiful watch is now unique. And still beautiful.

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

Sorry to hear, but even by my OCD standards that is a small blemish - I think it would later polish out and not be seen.
Certainly invest in the "proper" Bergeon tool for spring bars, even Rolex use it in their agent tools kits.
The spring bar comes out like a spring loaded centre punch when it is released - hence the "hammer" like damage it inflicts.
See below for the "cribbed" scale of softness of metals.

The Mohs Scale of Hardness for Metals

Here is a list of the hardness grades for some of the metals that you are most likely to come across in your everyday life, especially when dealing with jewelry:

Lead: 1.5
Tin: 1.5
Zinc: 2.5
Gold: 2.5-3
Silver: 2.5-3
Aluminum: 2.5-3
Copper: 3
Brass: 3
Bronze: 3
Nickel: 4
Platinum: 4-4.5
Steel: 4-4.5
Iron: 4.5
Palladium: 4.75
Rhodium: 6
Titanium: 6
Hardened steel: 7-8
Tungsten: 7.5
Tungsten carbide: 8.5-9

Why It Is Important to Know the Hardness of Metals

When the German geologist Friedrich Mohs devised the scale of hardness that we use today, he used a simple principle to determine the grade for each material: Which materials can scratch it, and which materials it can scratch.

For example, platinum, which has a hardness of 4-4.5, can be scratched by all materials that have a higher Mohs grade (such as topaz, which is graded 8), and it can in turn scratch any material that is graded lower (e.g., gold, which has a hardness of 2.5-3).

This is excellent, thanks for posting.

[racingfreak]

Tape the lugs and invest in a Bergeon 7825, you won't regret it

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[fskywalker]

Feel your pain! Now forget and enjoy that bad boy!


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[Lol-x]

Ouch!!
Wow you've got to be real careful and know what you are doing changing straps/bracelets yourself.

[Onikage]

I bet you swore. Tape wouldn't do much to stop this. Preventing the little lines on the lug backs is about all its good for. This was a text book 'out the front!'

[Rwatcher]

Originally Posted by sfbatman007

It was bound to happen!
Just got this watch yesterday and tried to do a strap change myself and that damn spring bar slipped and took a piece of polished layer off!

Oh well, one of many.. Hopefully not too many lol but I will always remember this little guy





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I did exactly the same, it hurts even now.

[Thuilln]

A flimsy spring bar took off a piece of gold from your lug?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Thuilln

A flimsy spring bar took off a piece of gold from your lug?

Those spring-loaded steel pins are not flimsy. Such damage happens to stainless steel lugs too (especially 904L). Seen it many times here.

[rmlovett1]

It would bug me for a while, but eventually I’d live with it. I smacked a WG PP lug against a counter once, it left a dent on the outside of the lug. I was upset/ticked off for awhile, but reminded myself...it can be fixed if it really bugs me. I learned to live with it

[JodyHighroller]

Unfortunately this is common because the OF bracelet doesn’t have those cutouts in the back for where the spring bar meets the case. I wouldn’t dare to try and change it myself.

I had a brand new 126655 purchased earlier this year with this same exact damage caused by an official RSC. They tried to polish it out, but it took away from the sharp lug lines. They ultimately replaced the entire case with serials matching.

There’s a used YM42 for sale on here and the seller advertises it as excellent condition. It has these marks on all four lugs.

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

That’s not a layer ... Rolex white gold is pure. Unlike some other white golds, which are coated, Rolex white gold is pure through and through, so it’s just dented/scratched, which if it bothers you can be either polished out if not too deep or welded and refinished back to original.

Those lugs are very susceptible to this type of damage due to the way Rolex decided to construct the OF bracelet, which is a shame.

I think all OF bracelets should come with Glidelock clasp, so only very large size variances would required a OF change, which is what they did in the WG Yachtmaster 42mm.


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The Daytona OF is now the only model without GlideLock. Hopefully they roll it out next year, which is the only thing that is holding me back from purchasing.