Do you have a scratch on your watch with a story?

[tobmis01]

I had an Omega SMP that was my pride and joy. During a job interview I put my left hand in my pocket and in very "Joe Cool" fashion leaned against a concrete column. I felt the concrete scrape the watch. It was a sickening feeling. Turns out it only left two small scratches on the bezel. I couldn't afford to have it fixed so I had to wear it that way. Well I got the job and found that after 15 years I had grown kind of attached to those two little scratches, reminding me of the day I was hired. I eventually sold the watch, so unfortunately I don't have pictures to share. I'm sure some of you do though!

[thewatchguy93]

Nice story and great thread, I'm sure this one will take off.. Unfortunately all of my scratches are bad memories..

[cop414]

Great thread idea. I have no special stories related to scratches. Usually when I find a scratch or ding I don't even know how it got there which sucks.

[snypa]

Great thread, no doubt there will be some interesting stories arise from it!

[68camaro]

Recently put awful scratch on Daytona bezel, went to Home Depot to get some 4x16 lumber as I was picking through pieces to get best I scrapped watch on rusty, painted chipping iron post holding them in place.

[ufboy73]

need pics for this thread, i think

[james1787]

Most scratches I have no idea how they get there... probably my desk at work.. etc. Any dings probably come from my arm/watch hitting something when I walk. It's always a sickening feeling and the thought "That's gonna leave a mark".

[chicfarmer1]

I do. My first scratch on the lug of my new DJ was the result of doing a chore involving reaching into an ornery ram's pen. I was trying to gingerly set down a pan of mineral (supplement they need) from outside the pen, over the top of the gate so I wouldn't have to go in it and deal with him. In a flash he spotted my arm and bonked it into the gate.

I took my revenge a couple years later.

[ThePayola]

A couple years ago, my son (who was around 8 years old at the time) showed an interest in the Tag Heuer Monza I was wearing when we were visiting my parents at their house. I asked him if he would like to try it on, and he said he would. After putting it on his wrist, I instructed him to take good care of it and make sure he didn't bump it into anything or scratch it. He wore it for about an hour and was extremely careful with it.

As we were leaving, I told him I wanted to take the watch back before we got in the car. I took it off his wrist, and was holding it in my hand as we walked out to the car. I had my arms full, and as I was digging around in my pocket for my car keys, I managed to drop the watch face down on the street and put a nice little divot in the bezel. My son saw it happen, and could see that I was upset with myself for doing it. He didn't say anything, but he came over to me, leaned in, and gave me a hug.

I thought about having the bezel repaired, but every time I look at that little nick, I think about that moment. In its own little way, it teaches me a lesson about perspective and makes me think of my son. My plan is to give him that watch someday, and when I do, I'll tell him the story of the scratch and what it means to me.

[samarth1]

Originally Posted by ThePayola

A couple years ago, my son (who was around 8 years old at the time) showed an interest in the Tag Heuer Monza I was wearing when we were visiting my parents at their house. I asked him if he would like to try it on, and he said he would. After putting it on his wrist, I instructed him to take good care of it and make sure he didn't bump it into anything or scratch it. He wore it for about an hour and was extremely careful with it.

As we were leaving, I told him I wanted to take the watch back before we got in the car. I took it off his wrist, and was holding it in my hand as we walked out to the car. I had my arms full, and as I was digging around in my pocket for my car keys, I managed to drop the watch face down on the street and put a nice little divot in the bezel. My son saw it happen, and could see that I was upset with myself for doing it. He didn't say anything, but he came over to me, leaned in, and gave me a hug.

I thought about having the bezel repaired, but every time I look at that little nick, I think about that moment. In its own little way, it teaches me a lesson about perspective and makes me think of my son. My plan is to give him that watch someday, and when I do, I'll tell him the story of the scratch and what it means to me.

Great story, thanks for sharing! I'm paranoid to the power of OCD when it comes to putting scratches on my watches, so I don't have a story such as this to share.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

9 years ago, when I was dating my "now wife", we were sitting on the couch watching a movie and she was wearing a ring on her right hand. She reached to grab popcorn and accidentally nicked the side of my Rolex bezel with her ring and it left a deep nick on the coin edge of the bezel because the bezel was 18k gold. I was actually quite upset because at that time the watch for fairly new. Well, 8 years later we are happily married and till today, sometimes she notices the nick and we joke & laugh about it. It's funny how things that upset you at one point can be laughed about years later. That goes to show you that there are more important things in life than just nicks and scratches on your watch.

[tobmis01]

This is good stuff - exactly what I had in mind. Keep them coming - some pics would be great.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by ThePayola

A couple years ago, my son (who was around 8 years old at the time) showed an interest in the Tag Heuer Monza I was wearing when we were visiting my parents at their house. I asked him if he would like to try it on, and he said he would. After putting it on his wrist, I instructed him to take good care of it and make sure he didn't bump it into anything or scratch it. He wore it for about an hour and was extremely careful with it.

As we were leaving, I told him I wanted to take the watch back before we got in the car. I took it off his wrist, and was holding it in my hand as we walked out to the car. I had my arms full, and as I was digging around in my pocket for my car keys, I managed to drop the watch face down on the street and put a nice little divot in the bezel. My son saw it happen, and could see that I was upset with myself for doing it. He didn't say anything, but he came over to me, leaned in, and gave me a hug.

I thought about having the bezel repaired, but every time I look at that little nick, I think about that moment. In its own little way, it teaches me a lesson about perspective and makes me think of my son. My plan is to give him that watch someday, and when I do, I'll tell him the story of the scratch and what it means to me.

What sentimental value that watch must have! Thanks for sharing.

[ChaoticBliss]

While in to Paris for my wife's birthday celebration I scratched the crystal on my vintage Oyster while trying to take a photograph through the bars at the top of the Arc De Triomphe. Not too bad of scratch so I left there as a memory of the trip.

[chieftd]

I was in Vegas a few years ago with the family. We were at Mandalay Bay coming back from the aquarium there. My daughter wanted to get a picture of herself standing next to a wall sculpture. So, with hands full of bags and such, I walk over across the walkway to stand on a short rock wall to get a better vantage point for the photo. I take a step and miss the wall completely and as I fall forward I instinctively try to put my hand down to catch myself. Only I have this giant bag hanging off of my wrist. I bring my hand forward, bag catches on the rock wall, I launch forward and in just a nano second before hitting my face on this big rock, my hand comes up to catch the fall. I impact the rock, wrist and watch first, then my head into my wrist and watch. Of course, my wife thinks I've really injured myself, it makes a really loud noise due to the big shopping bag, and I fall down into the wall and plants. First instinct, jump up and check the watch! :) It had a nice series of scratches on the bracelet and the case where it struck the rock. I wore it that way for several more years. The good news now is I just got the watch back from Rikki, and after a service and polish it looks brand new. :)

Cheers, Tim

[Castor]

A couple of months ago in the Dominican Republic I was on a little adventure which included zip-lining and sliding down a river in a rocky ravine (forget what it's called). When I tried to do the zip-lining I was frozen and unable to do it because the situation made me remember (with extreme clarity) almost going over a cliff in Yoho National Park when I was 20; I only saved myself with my climbing axe by driving it into a tree on the edge of a cliff and looking down between my feet at a multiple thousand foot fall.

I froze in terrible embarrassment at the zip-line. That had never happened to me before! When we got to the river there was an optional 35 foot jump into a pool. I knew that I had to do this to redeem myself in my own mind. Bodybag or no bodybag! As I jumped my watch struck a rock on the side. Such relief to do something despite being terrified! Checked my watch and found these scratches on the clasp. These scratches will always remind me of overcoming fear!

I love my scratches, they'r like war-wounds!

[ecsub44]

I have too many to keep track of...

[AF_Rob]

I dinged my Sub while packing up my grandparents home after my grandfather passed. Glad he never found out how much I paid. I never would have heard the end of it. He was a steel mill worker, with no use for a Rolex. Wore the same Casio my whole life :)

[dcash0615]

Wore my watch. Through normal wear it got scratched. End of story!

[luvsub]

Too many, and most scratches from garden work, home projects, these day to day things.

[Castor]

Got a few minor scratches from the mundane as well...

[watch watcher]

Gouged the caseback on my all-gold Omega while trying to open it with a pair of needle nose piers because it slipped...did not make my day. To make matters more bitter, Walmart sells a caseback tool for $4.99 which worked perfectly.

[HRFdez]

Not yet, but I am sure it will happen. It is just a fact of watch wearing life!

[Glidelock]

Originally Posted by Castor

A couple of months ago in the Dominican Republic I was on a little adventure which included zip-lining and sliding down a river in a rocky ravine (forget what it's called). When I tried to do the zip-lining I was frozen and unable to do it because the situation made me remember (with extreme clarity) almost going over a cliff in Yoho National Park when I was 20; I only saved myself with my climbing axe by driving it into a tree on the edge of a cliff and looking down between my feet at a multiple thousand foot fall.

I froze in terrible embarrassment at the zip-line. That had never happened to me before! When we got to the river there was an optional 35 foot jump into a pool. I knew that I had to do this to redeem myself in my own mind. Bodybag or no bodybag! As I jumped my watch struck a rock on the side. Such relief to do something despite being terrified! Checked my watch and found these scratches on the clasp. These scratches will always remind me of overcoming fear!

I love my scratches, they'r like war-wounds!

What's amazing is how in that split second you not only scratched your watch, but how if you look really close... It almost appears as if it perfectly scratched in the name "T. Williams".

[brokenchains]

I try to avoid wearing my Daytona when I go out drinking!!! Enough said!!!

[Castor]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

What's amazing is how in that split second you not only scratched your watch, but how if you look really close... It almost appears as if it perfectly scratched in the name "T. Williams".

[Whootish]

About ten years ago I popped into work on a Saturday morning to grab something I had left in my tool box. I was a mechanic at the time.
The receptionist saw me and begged me to weld an exhaust up on a customers car quickly as no one else in that morning could weld and i reluctantly agreed as i had lots to do that day. Can you see where this going?!
I was wearing my nearly new Omega Seamaster at the time and was in such a rush I stupidly forgot to take it off. I finished the job and carried on my day.
It wasn't until that evening when I noticed a tiny blob of molten metal spatter had welded itself right in between the case and the bezel at the 4 o'clock position which meant the bezel no longer turned!
Luckily I managed to remove it but the watch still bears the scar today albeit a tiny one!

[Jason71]

I have a ding on one of the lugs of my 14060M that got there while diving.........actually, I dropped it on the dive boat between dives and it struck the bottom of the boat. However, that ding always reminds me of diving in Grand Cayman.

[Castor]

Originally Posted by Castor

The universe is a wondrous place.