JC DSSD Sapphire Scratch & Dial Lint

[golfski]

Would love some advice from the knowledgeable people here on TRF. I took my two week old DSSD JC on vacation with me and couldn’t wait to put it to the test and take it to the bottom of the 6ft pool at the resort we are staying at. While getting out of the pool, I lightly bumped my watch against the underwater wall of the pool and came to notice a pretty noticeable scratch on the crystal. I was pretty surprised at this, I’ve had a Tag Heuer for 9 years and put it through the ringer and the crystal looks brand new!

Looking at the damage under light, I also noticed there is a piece of ‘lint’ or something on the dial. I had never noticed this before, and its very hard to see to the naked eye, but while inspecting my scratch damage, I spotted it pretty easily.

I know I messed up the crystal, but curious if that could have caused this lint to be on the dial? I am very OCD with my nice things (cars, watches, etc.) and generally like to keep my stuff in like new condition. I have already looked into ordering some Cape Cod for some minor scratches on the polished sides of the lugs ;) but have read all the comments here about just enjoying the watch and wearing it. However, this crystal scratch I don’t think I can ignore. The SS scratches I can’t see unless I am looking for them but these two imperfections I now see every time i check the time.

Curious to know how much a new crystal on a DSSD will cost if anyone has had this done recently. I saw a post in 2015 it was $700 for the DSSD, while seeing other references costing only $150-300 in more recent posts. Second question, is what to do about the dial lint. I want to take it to the AD and show it to them but worried they will blow me off because of the physical damage I have caused to the crystal. Any thoughts on how I should approach the AD? Lastly, am I being too OCD about these imperfections? I get the thought of the SS scratches and the character they bring - but I don’t think I can live with the crystal scratch and this peice of something on the dial.

Any advice and thoughts are much appreciated. I am now second guessing taking my Explorer II on a 100+ mile bicycle ride I am doing tomorrow, considering I can’t take a dip in a pool without torturing my beautiful JC

Edit: Adding pics. The scratch is right at the word ‘Date’ in the pic and the ‘lint’ is next to the shadow of the second hand round end.

[CharlesN]

No more swimming with your watch on this holiday i suggest.

just in case the crystal breaks.

Next stop .... the RSC for a replacement.

You are in the US I can not give you a price but others on here will be along very shortly i am sure.

[golfski]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

No more swimming with your watch on this holiday i suggest.

just in case the crystal breaks.

Next stop .... the RSC for a replacement.

You are in the US I can not give you a price but others on here will be along very shortly i am sure.

Can the scratch on the dial compromise the integrity of the watch seal? It was not a hard bang, more like a slight graze against the brick wall.

[antbkny]

Have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.

[Justinmg]

Only a few choices: Try to clean it off, live with it or send it to RSC and they will remove the lint at the same time. Cost of doing business

[watchmework]

If cleaning it off doesn’t fix it in, send it to Rolex for fixing and chalk it up to an expensive mistake.

[CharlesN]

I would have thought the seals would be OK but a scratch on the crystal creates a weak spot so it could crack

[maxymax]

Taking it to the RSC is your best option. Hope you didn't pay the grey price for it.

[Bigblu10]

RSC may require a movement service to replace the crystal. Call them and see and tell them about the debris under crystal. Since these crystals are domed instead of flat surfaced they seem to be much easier to scratch when bumped against a rough surface.

[g_luck]

Sorry this happened and I know you must have been joking about "testing" a watch waterproof to 12800FT in a 6FT pool. Believe me, I wasn't laughing at the scratch or lint but the testing it part cracked me up!!!!

Again, sorry it happened and good luck!!

PS- Please don't fall off your bike!

[fsprow]

The only way I would worry is if you are planning to do deep diving with the watch, which of course is what it was designed for. In that case, even a small scratch might weaken the crystal and it should replaced. Otherwise, if it was mine I would just have fun with it.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I would have thought the seals would be OK but a scratch on the crystal creates a weak spot so it could crack

Highly unlikely that would happen from the pressures exerted from a shower, swimming in the sea or even a 12 ft deep pool. Unless he was going to be 100m plus under water I would highly doubt a scuffed crystal 5mm thick would be compromised by normal water activities.

[CharlesN]

Unlikely -Yes
But - Why take a risk ?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by golfski

Can the scratch on the dial compromise the integrity of the watch seal? It was not a hard bang, more like a slight graze against the brick wall.

Maybe if you take it to 3900m of depth, but that crystal is seriously thick, I would let it be until the next service. It won't compromise any water resistance I can assure you.

The lint on the dial could have been in there and might have moved to a more noticeable location, just a matter of opening the case, a quick blow of compressed air and close it right up, 5min job for the watchmaker and another 45min in the fathometer

[Bigblu10]

If the watch is two weeks old leave it be and just wear it. Sending it to RSC will involve it being gone for weeks and I'm not sure if they will replace the crystal and remove lint without insisting on a movement service. If they do you will likely be out 1K+ for the repair bill. It is your choice whatever you decide, but I would wear it and enjoy as is.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by antbkny

Have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.

Looks that way to me as well.

Marks on the crystal or dial would really bother me, so I’d be inclined to visit RSC.

[golfski]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Looks that way to me as well.

Marks on the crystal or dial would really bother me, so I’d be inclined to visit RSC.

I’ve been rubbing it with my fingers, towels, finger nails and microfiber pretty hard and maybe got it down a little. What would you suggest I clean it with? Alcohol was mentioned above, I assume that’s rubbing alcohol? Is that the same as nail polish remover? Should I avoid contact with the case and bezel?

I’ve randomly stopped in a few jewelers repair shops asking if they could try cleaning it, but no one will touch it, which is probably best.

[Roddypeepa]

That crystal is so thick you could probably drive a monster truck over it and it won’t break.

Keep on swimming for now and take it in when you get home.

The lint though i think is worth getting removed.


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[petay993]

You can get some diamond paste on the crystal and see how that goes.

The Deep Sea crystal is 5mm thick, a surface knick will have no effect on it at all in terms of structural integrity.

I would be going in to get the lint removed and a discount off the crystal polish/replacement for the QC let down

[XZACM102]

If this drives you crazy definitely don't send it in for a service. Chances are the watch comes back with more scratches and then you'll be in for a polish as well. RSC is a hit or miss in this regard unfortunately.

[usling15]

That scratch is a structural fault. It may only be good to 3000 meters
now.

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by golfski

I’ve been rubbing it with my fingers, towels, finger nails and microfiber pretty hard and maybe got it down a little. What would you suggest I clean it with? Alcohol was mentioned above, I assume that’s rubbing alcohol? Is that the same as nail polish remover? Should I avoid contact with the case and bezel?

I’ve randomly stopped in a few jewelers repair shops asking if they could try cleaning it, but no one will touch it, which is probably best.

You could try some toothpaste...it has a bit of grit in it and I've used this for cleaning off water spots before with success.

[Justingtr]

Take a razor to it and try to scrape it off. It's probably paint from the pool wall as sapphire shouldn't scratch from that. Scraping with a little razor blade wont scratch the sapphire. As for lint under the dial, RSC or if your AD has a watchmaker in house.

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[Johnnymiz]

once I put one of my dive watches on, I forget they're there. did a little work on my jeep with the DSSD on my wrist and got a nasty deep scratch at 23 minutes. I made it my own. it wont ever affect how deep I can go because I'm not a saturation diver and, as it is, it surely wouldn't crack at any depth I will go. so, I don't care and I probably wont ever get it replaced because they only reason to fix it would be to sell it and I don't ever sell watches.

[Dirt]

It could be paint transferred onto the Crystal.
Can you feel a notch on the surface of the Crystal with your fingernail running across it?
As mentioned before, a razor blade carefully and gently scraped across it on an acute angle will remove any paint stuck on the Crystal should that be the case.

If the Crystal is indeed scratched then you have a very genuine conundrum.
You see, If you choose to send the watch in to have the lint removed from the dial, then Rolex will certainly require you to stump up for a new Crystal because they won't be able to pressure test the watch after they open it up because the Crystal will likely be deemed to be a failure point. I know this from experience.

If it was my watch, I would chalk it up to experience and not worry about it until it's due for a service.
Besides, I'm not necessarily sure that micro sized piece of lint will ever be problematic in the grand scheme of things.
IMO, let sleeping dogs lay in this case

[CoveWatch]

that's unfortunate.. agree that you should try to wipe it off somehow first and if it doesnt work then RSC seems to be the way to go! good luck!

[golfski]

Originally Posted by Dirt

It could be paint transferred onto the Crystal.
Can you feel a notch on the surface of the Crystal with your fingernail running across it?
As mentioned before, a razor blade carefully and gently scraped across it on an acute angle will remove any paint stuck on the Crystal should that be the case.

If the Crystal is indeed scratched then you have a very genuine conundrum.
You see, If you choose to send the watch in to have the lint removed from the dial, then Rolex will certainly require you to stump up for a new Crystal because they won't be able to pressure test the watch after they open it up because the Crystal will likely be deemed to be a failure point. I know this from experience.

If it was my watch, I would chalk it up to experience and not worry about it until it's due for a service.
Besides, I'm not necessarily sure that micro sized piece of lint will ever be problematic in the grand scheme of things.
IMO, let sleeping dogs lay in this case

Thanks all for the replies. I was pretty upset when it happened but have gotten over it a bit and have just been enjoying my vacation. I definitely will remedy it before service, I can’t, not, see it when looking at the time and don’t think i can stare at it for the next 5+ years until service. I have tried to scrape it off with whatever i have had available, haven’t tried a knife or razor yet, but to answer your question...when i scratch it with my fingernail, I do feel it catch on something...i can’t tell if that is the divot from the scratch or as others have said, paint. The way light glistens on it, I am assuming it is a scratch...I can’t imagine paint sticking that hard given how lightly I tapped it. But then again, I can’t believe how deep the scratch is with how lightly I tapped it.

When back from vacation I am going to take it to my AD who has a jeweler/watchmaker that might be able to attempt at cleaning it and will ask about the lint. The lint is very noticeable when checking the time as well. Based on the comment above that to even remove the lint they might make me replace the crystal to be able to pressure test it again...maybe that would get me out of some of the labor cost for just changing the crystal? Based on comments on TRF, it sounds like crystal is a lot cheaper to replace when they are already doing some sort of service/labor.

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by antbkny

have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.

x2

[maxymax]

Originally Posted by golfski

.............but have gotten over it a bit and have just been enjoying my vacation........

[singe89]

I had lint on the dial of my 2018 JC DSSD. It was also running out of COSC spec so I sent it back to RSC dallas. Lint removed and now running at less than +1 sec/month.

Normally I would say live with the scratch but since the lint is a defect I would send it back to RSC and pay for new crystal.