“Handling mark” on BNIB watch is this normal?

[Jcy90]

Hi everyone! Small question I have and would like to hear your advice. I have seen many models at AD’s and from trusted sellers that are BNIB that have a small hairline on a PCL or on the bezel of a watch. Why does this happen so often? Would you be turned off and not purchase said watch? Or would you understand that its common & customary? I for one think it’s common and customary and thats why i only buy pre owned. Because if theres already a mark on it anyhow, why not save a few dollars? What are your thoughts? Thanks!

[jrs146]

If I’m buying used small hairlines are expected on PCL’s. If I’m buying new I want that bad boy to be flawless. That way every mark is mine!


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[brandrea]

I’d for sure be asking how it got there

[kilyung]

If buying used, then I get it. If buying new from an AD, my ADs know better.

[Justinmg]

That’s why if it’s new it better have stickers in place, I would not buy one in the case

[traf]

Unless there’s a significant discount, I’d demand a fresh one


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[enjoythemusic]

Sure, thats fine with a 10 to 15 percent discount for SS and 20 to 25 percent for PM.

[doboy007]

Ppl do try on these pieces at ADs unless they were set aside in their safe.
I wouldn’t worry about hairline scratches esp on PCLs but bezel would bother me esp if it was ceramic because it’s pretty much scratch proof.

[Wcdhtwn]

My AD had a SD4K, the last one before the SD43. The bezel didn't line up correctly with the the 12:00 mark, and all the others of course but it was most noticeable at 12:00. You could see something was off with the naked eye, and with a loop it looked way off. I really wanted a SD4K but wouldn't buy it unless they fixed it. They agreed it was off but wouldn't fix it or offer any discount, so I passed.

[Jcy90]

What would you do if it were from a trusted seller?

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Jcy90

What would you do if it were from a trusted seller?

Return it

[Bigblu10]

If you want BNIB and scratch free, many trusted sellers can get them and deliver. I bought a yellow gold Sub. Fully stickered, never tried on, totally scratch and scuff free. Most likely never seen a display case. You just have to ask! It is your money get what you want.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Jcy90

Hi everyone! Small question I have and would like to hear your advice. I have seen many models at AD’s and from trusted sellers that are BNIB that have a small hairline on a PCL or on the bezel of a watch. Why does this happen so often? Would you be turned off and not purchase said watch? Or would you understand that its common & customary? I for one think it’s common and customary and thats why i only buy pre owned. Because if theres already a mark on it anyhow, why not save a few dollars? What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Where have you seen wear marks on BNIB watches from trusted sellers? Because many of their watches never see a display case and they go right from the plastic shipping box into a green Rolex box then right to your door via the FedEx truck?

[Jcy90]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Where have you seen wear marks on BNIB watches from trusted sellers? Because many of their watches never see a display case and they go right from the plastic shipping box into a green Rolex box then right to your door via the FedEx truck?

Have seen it before and was explained that it is very normal and could happen when the watch is being moved from larger distributor to trusted seller when watch is removed from coffin and photographed or handled or documented for inventory or inspected etc etc, basically any human interaction with the watch could cause this to happen. Seller explained that this is a very normal occurrance.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Jcy90

Have seen it before and was explained that it is very normal and could happen when the watch is being moved from larger distributor to trusted seller when watch is removed from coffin and photographed or handled or documented for inventory or inspected etc etc, basically any human interaction with the watch could cause this to happen. Seller explained that this is a very normal occurrance.

So what did you buy that was marked up? Most sellers her on forum stand by their watches 100% and would replace a piece no questions asked. Try that with your AD

[Jcy90]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

So what did you buy that was marked up? Most sellers her on forum stand by their watches 100% and would replace a piece no questions asked. Try that with your AD

Didnt make purchase yet. Purchase is actually for my dad & it’s his first Rolex purchase and hes picky! Finally getting him to switch from Breitling. There is a Small mark on one of the bezel flutes. He has to see it in person before he makes the decision. He will see it monday and ultimately be the one to decide.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Jcy90

Didnt make purchase yet. Purchase is actually for my dad & it’s his first Rolex purchase and hes picky! Finally getting him to switch from Breitling. There is a Small mark on one of the bezel flutes. He has to see it in person before he makes the decision. He will see it monday and ultimately be the one to decide.

Is this from an AD? Watches that go from the display case to the safe day after day and also get handled from customers will get marked up unfortunately. As I stated the pieces I have bought from trusted sellers here that were BNIB and sealed were pristine with no marks or swirlies of any kind. They never had a chance to see a display case or get handled by tire kickers. If I am going to drop 25K or more, it better be perfect until I put the first scratch on it!

[DoctorA]

If I pay the premium of new, I expect nothing but perfection!!

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

If I pay the premium of new, I expect nothing but perfection!!

Yeah, I used to be like that but I gave up on perfection from man-made objects :) Even the most expensive purchases like home and auto (maybe on par with a watch) are not perfect.

[Jcy90]

Originally Posted by doboy007

Yeah, I used to be like that but I gave up on perfection from man-made objects :) Even the most expensive purchases like home and auto (maybe on par with a watch) are not perfect.

I agree It’s upsetting at first, but it’s almost impossible to expect perfection and very rare to find sinething completely untouched.

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by doboy007

Yeah, I used to be like that but I gave up on perfection from man-made objects :) Even the most expensive purchases like home and auto (maybe on par with a watch) are not perfect.

If a new watch has scratches despite the stickers it tells me more about the AD, and with all my watches that I bought from my AD had zero scratches on them then why settle for scratches?

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

If a new watch has scratches despite the stickers it tells me more about the AD, and with all my watches that I bought from my AD had zero scratches on them then why settle for scratches?

Great point. I also get turned off when I see watches at ADs that haven’t been wiped down after someone tried them on. This should be done almost immediately after the person removes the watch. I saw a BLRO that was really dirty looking at an AD. Obviously had been there for a while but still inexcusable.

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

If a new watch has scratches despite the stickers it tells me more about the AD, and with all my watches that I bought from my AD had zero scratches on them then why settle for scratches?

I was mainly responding to hairline scratches on PCL cause scratches happen on PCL by just looking at it funny.

[tng11]

If I am buying new, I expect it to be perfect.

A local AD has quite a few PM pieces that are in pretty bad shape, likely from being manhandled over the years. I was checking out a ladies Platinum DJ that had most of the stickers peeling off, a deep scratch on the brushed links, and the PCLs were covered in micro-scratches, and the watch was being sold as new. Much to my dismay, a lot of the other gold pieces were in the same condition as well. When I pointed this out to the AD, they told me they could just give it a quick polish - to which I said that was unacceptable on a watch that was brand new.

[TickTockChuck]

BNIB should be mint and free of any marks and scratches just like it rolled out of the Rolex factory. Hard to get often unless you insist on a fully stickered watch fresh out of the plastic coffin. Most disply watches at ADs are heavily handled moving daily in/out of the safe, polished for fingerprints, or tried on by customers. Gold watches seem to have the most scratches since they are softer and can sit in displays for a long time. Cheers!

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by TickTockChuck

BNIB should be mint and free of any marks and scratches just like it rolled out of the Rolex factory. Hard to get often unless you insist on a fully stocked watch fresh out of the plastic coffin. Most disply watches at ADs are heavily handled moving daily in/out of the safe, polished for fingerprints, or tried on by customers. Gold watches seem to have the most scratches since they are softer and can sit in displays for a long time. Cheers!

Yup and whomever wipes down the PM watches(gold) can very easily mark them up depending on the type of cloth and how clean or dirty it may be.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by traf

Unless there’s a significant discount, I’d demand a fresh one


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Yup.

[Jcy90]

Trusted seller. TT watch.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Jcy90

Trusted seller. TT watch.

Well it’s a good thing you and Dad can see it together. Then any decision is made with the best first-hand knowledge. Doesn’t matter what the explanation might be regarding the “how”.

If I’m buying for myself, a minor flaw might be noticeable to 1 in 100 people so I really don’t care as long as it’s disclosed or shown in pictures.


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[Jcy90]

Originally Posted by 77T

Well it’s a good thing you and Dad can see it together. Then any decision is made with the best first-hand knowledge. Doesn’t matter what the explanation might be regarding the “how”.

If I’m buying for myself, a minor flaw might be noticeable to 1 in 100 people so I really don’t care as long as it’s disclosed or shown in pictures.


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I’m with you on this one, it’s definitely annoying to buy a watch brand new with stickers with a small scratch on it, but at the end of the day the watch will get scratched after you wear it once or twice at dinner. This is why I am a tremendous fan of buying a preowned watch saving the money and have someone else put a hairline her to audit. Some people don’t even peel off all the stickers. I just feel bad for the seller, because I have a relationship with him and he ordered the swatch in for me special and already put my father’s name on the card.