Show your Polished Center Links (PCL) bracelets

[thetimemachine]

Only twelve month to go (saving plan), then I can finally buy my first rolex.

Currently I'm focusing on a new Datejust (116234) with fluted bezel, sunburst silver dial, stick markers and Oyster bracelet. I like the Oyster bracelet, as it gives the watch a bit "younger" appearance and IMHO it's more versatile. I've planned that this purchase will become my daily wearer (in case I successfully can resist to add a Sub or GMT), hence it should fit the suit at work and casual clothing during the weekend alike.

The only remaining question for me is, how easily will a PLC bracelet collect scratches in the life of an office warrior?

Could you please:
- post some pictures of your PCL bracelets
- add a comment how often or for how many years you've worn the watch
- add a comment how "careful" you are with your watch / in which occasions you wear it (at the office, labour work, bull riding, etc.)

This should give me a hint how the bracelet will look after a couple of years. In the end I'm just seeking for confirmation that it's not so bad at all.

Thank you!

[Dyim]

PCL scratches, no matter what you do. It is just a matter of time.



Almost 6 months old. I wear it every other day. Normal use. I don't baby it nor do I abuse it. It is WG, so scratches a lot easier than SS. But SS do look like that with time.

[Nidal]

PCL is the pre brushed status. Matter of time


Nidal

[swils8610]

Love my PCL's.

[WatchinMD]

Gold Daytona 9 months old. I wear it daily and carefully.

[KrismanX]

I've worn my SS Daytona daily since I bought it in October, both in and out of the office... Here is the result.





And of course, the most worn area...


At the end of the day, no sticker or coating will ever keep your piece from the natural wear and tear of every day use; but the nicks and scuffs are battle scars to be displayed as proudly as the piece itself! They tell tales of adventure and enjoyment of your investment, and show that it is not just sitting in a vault somewhere; rather it is being loved and enjoyed by its owner.

Think of a fine musical instrument. If you don't play it, eventually it will be unplayable (without restoration... and never quite sound the same). So buy worry-free and enjoy the bejesus out of your watches. I know I do.

Oh and if you're worried it won't look as nice, mine still glimmered like any other Rolex while riding my jetski off the Florida Keys! (Risky business? Naturally... Fun as all hell? Naturally)


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[Mr DateJust]

PCLs will scratch and show wear much more easily than a brushed finish that's just the nature of the beast. If you are worried about scratches get the DateJust with the jubilee. The jubilee bracelet hardly shows any wear. I had one for years and it still looked pretty much new even with daily use. I also contrary to popular opinion think it's much less bling than the big flat mirror finish oyster links (and it's more comfortable).

[Onikage]

Where's Dr. Tom?

[GsurgBM]

1 year old Daytona. Worn 1-2 times a week. I'm generally pretty careful.

[nick c]

[nick c]

[thetimemachine]

Originally Posted by Mr DateJust

PCLs will scratch and show wear much more easily than a brushed finish that's just the nature of the beast. If you are worried about scratches get the DateJust with the jubilee. The jubilee bracelet hardly shows any wear. I had one for years and it still looked pretty much new even with daily use. I also contrary to popular opinion think it's much less bling than the big flat mirror finish oyster links (and it's more comfortable).

I'm not so crazily worried about scratches but curious how it will look after a couple of month / years - therefore this thread.

On photos I also like the Jubilee very much, but in real life I felt it's a bit "jewelryish" due to the invisible clasp.

I'm really struggling with the bracelet ... luckily I have some month left to decide.

[bbressler]

Originally Posted by thetimemachine

I'm not so crazily worried about scratches but curious how it will look after a couple of month / years - therefore this thread.

On photos I also like the Jubilee very much, but in real life I felt it's a bit "jewelryish" due to the invisible clasp.

I'm really struggling with the bracelet ... luckily I have some month left to decide.

Try not to think about what will show scratches or not, and go with what watch you like the most. Even my brushed bracelets are covered with scratches from normal wear, and I'm careful with my watches and not doing anything crazy. First couple scratches suck to see, but once you build up a nice patina it becomes a beautiful thing, and I think creates a stronger bond with the watch when you see what it's been through with you.

That being said I still like BCL on SS models, and PCL on dressier or precious metal models.

[Jari from Finland]

I wear my SS Daytona every now and then but I am careful with it. If you wear the watch at the office you may protect it with a shirt with long sleeves. The bracelet gets easily scratches while getting touch to the table from morning to the evening. But they can be polished.


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[thetimemachine]

Originally Posted by KrismanX

At the end of the day, no sticker or coating will ever keep your piece from the natural wear and tear of every day use; but the nicks and scuffs are battle scars to be displayed as proudly as the piece itself! They tell tales of adventure and enjoyment of your investment, and show that it is not just sitting in a vault somewhere; rather it is being loved and enjoyed by its owner.

Think of a fine musical instrument. If you don't play it, eventually it will be unplayable (without restoration... and never quite sound the same). So buy worry-free and enjoy the bejesus out of your watches. I know I do.

Oh and if you're worried it won't look as nice, mine still glimmered like any other Rolex while riding my jetski off the Florida Keys! (Risky business? Naturally... Fun as all hell? Naturally)

True words & thank you (and all the others) for the pictures uploaded so far!

Keep them coming ...

[Tseg]

I can do all kinds of things with my camera to make my PCLs look rough, but from a natural glance the scratches and swirls just don't show. I had the opportunity to have my BLNR, which I've worn almost daily for a year, to a nice island vacation this past week... lots of sand, snorkeling, sailing, rum and... pictures.

The suntan lotions/oils and bug spray really crudded up the watch but a nice tooth brushing upon its return and back like new/used.

[DJ TT 2002]

This is my 116718 after about 16 months of daily wear

[RolexRon456]

After 2 years, daily piece, physician, I don't wear it doing anything too physical. Just to work and when I go out

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Where's Dr. Tom?

Ok....

WG sub five years old worn hard with no fear......





My WG GMT worn hard over a year and my Platona has endured a lot for several years, including many many hours in a race car....




Bottom line is get a watch with PLCs and enjoy it, I do

[AK797]

I like how people say PCLs make a watch look more like jewellery coz you have to be pretty tough to take all the marks on them. Getting all brushed is for wimps

[JD521]

Under the CA sun....

[DJ TT 2002]

Originally Posted by AK797

I like how people say PCLs make a watch look more like jewellery coz you have to be pretty tough to take all the marks on them. Getting all brushed is for wimps

X2 HaHa

[p41nta]

I'm an office warrior too, wear my BLNR daily. It has scuffs and marks on the pcls, but the way I see it, it's there to be worn....

[Cru Jones]

eventually, a fine patina will develop, and it will look great and it will be yours. i much prefer the slightly dulled PCL to un-touched or just a couple scratches.

[RMC12]

This is my wifes YM after about 12 months of daily wear. It is a fair bit worse now another year on from this photo.

My Smurf is not too bad as it isn't worn everyday. Still, however often you wear them PCL's will get scratched - no two ways about it! Just gotta enjoy them and not worry about it.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Ok....

WG sub five years old worn hard with no fear......



:

Now this is plain awesome. The way it should be.

[watchwatcher]

I think PCL's hold up OK. I would never let the fear of them scratching influence a watch decision one way or the other.

[Jeprex]

Some 116610LVc Hulk on PCL bracelets ??? pictures ??