Polish or new bezel

[Kevin of Larchmont]

OP, did you buy the watch with the intent to sell it or did you buy it as is to wear it? If it’s the latter then carry on wearing it and worry about resale later. Guaranteed any repairs you do now will also get dinged so run it and enjoy it for what it is, as previously said.

[Mastergreenhand]

I think it looks fine as is, I wouldn’t stress over it.

[SMPc]

I would replace that bezel

[aboutime]

I would wear the watch for what it is and see how you go. If you decide to refreshen it up with a new bezel I think you want to consider having the entire watch case and bracelet ‘polished’ to match. It might look odd with new and worn components together.

[Harry-57]

It's your watch. You can do what you like with it, just like the previous owner did.

[OG1982]

Looks like a well worn Sub to me!

My Sub doesn't even get worn daily and get's removed before anything I'd consider 'risky', but the 12 o'clock side of the bracelet still looks like someone has taken an angle grinder to it.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Doesn't look to bad, I would leave it. Subs looks good with a little patina. If you are keeping it just wear it, perhaps down the line at service time you can get it restored to looking new with some small laser welds and polish.

For people thinking it's strange position to get marks it isn't. You can get get scuffs like that when reaching into something and having the watch catch the lip. Hell, you can probably get scuffs like that from the metall zipper on a weekend (keepall...) bag.

[jimcameron]

Just wear it and enjoy it. From a couple of feet away no one but obsessive compulsive would give it a second look.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Just wear it and enjoy it. From a couple of feet away no one but obsessive compulsive would give it a second look.

Have to agree today judging by these tiny marks that many post today and worry about.If they had seen my 16600 SD after 5 long year's working as a real tool watch underwater most would of had a heart attack.

[Neil McCauley]

To be honest these marks don't really constitute as normal wear and tear, and myself, someone who is usually comfortable with things like that, wouldn't be very pleased about those gouges in the bezel.
I think it is very very fair for anyone to be concerned about those pictured. It looks like someone has had a go at removing the bezel with a screwdriver.

They're not tiny, relatively speaking. Telling someone they should just live with these and get on with life is stupid advice, sorry. None of us can understand what things are like from someone else's perspective.

It's like telling someone to ignore it and move on if they got a huge dent in their car. A Rolex is a high-end watch, to anyone, a $10,000 watch is a LOT of money. You can buy cheaper watches the same as you can buy cheaper cars, for example if I dent a second hand Ford Fiesta that cost me £500 I'm probably not going to care too much - comparatively, a Rolex Submariner is not the equivalent of a £500 Ford Fiesta, you might say it's what, maybe a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes or whatever.... if you dented that, are you supposed to be expected to just get on with it and forget it?

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Neil McCauley

It looks like someone has had a go at removing the bezel with a screwdriver.

Agreed. That’s exactly what it looks like to me.

[1William]

Not a fan of the damage. I would move the watch and get a better example.

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by 1William

Not a fan of the damage. I would move the watch and get a better example.

This is the thing isn't it, it's not like these are hard to come by. I'd never buy a watch like that, in that state.

Always.
Consider.
Condition.

[brandrea]

As long as the condition was fully disclosed when you bought the watch, I’m assuming that you are happy with what you paid for.

I’d leave it be till service and then decide whether and what you want to repair

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brandrea

As long as the condition was fully disclosed when you bought the watch, I’m assuming that you are happy with what you paid for.

I’d leave it be till service and then decide whether and what you want to repair

Have to agree Brian and under high magnification those marks look a lot worse than they are.

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree Brian and under high magnification those marks look a lot worse than they are.

Couldn't disagree more, they look pretty nasty and not something on a watch I would want to buy, personally. I appreciate that to some it might not bother them, but if I'm buying a watch, I want it in better condition than that.
Now - if I happen to bash it and put those marks in myself, that's a different story, I'll live with it.

[watchnwine]

Looks like someone tried to pry the bezel off for some reason. For me, I'd just wear it and next time it's ready for a service, I'd have the watch polished and have the ring replaced (not very expensive). Wear it as intended and don't worry about it!

[Lever Escapement]

I'm no expert, but someone who knows nothing about the mechanical makeup of these watches has tried to have a go at levering that bezel off obviously with something not fit for the job.
Anyone with half a brain wouldn't have attempted this on a watch of this value without having the right tools. How can the underside of the bezel be so damaged, and yet the top side of the bezel and the crystal is almost spotless ?
Id say all the damage on the top side of that case was caused by the same butcher who tried to remove the bezel. If this piece was offered to me for sale and saw those gouges I wouldn't go near it, which begs the question of what you paid for it ? (I don't want to know. This question was rhetorical)
This isn't normal wear and tear. Something is fishy about this.

If it was me I'd be checking the serial number to make sure it hasn't been reported stolen.

[worldofoyster]

rough bezel

[majidessa]

This is an older reference Sub, any idea the date on the warranty card and previous service history (if any) ?

I would send the watch to Rolex for full service, they will do a fantastic job and will provide you with recommended repair options. This way you will have a like new watch on your wrist without any issues cosmetic or mechanical for many years to come.