Got the call… but watch is scratched

[hojlund]

as long as your AD promise to polish it, it's fine.

[Zach69SS]

I would want a new one, remember the polish will remove some of the stainless steel forever. Very strange situation with a brand new piece from the AD? They all come with stickers and the bezel protector from the factory. They should just replace it for you.

Just like a car it’s only original once. But I understand that this something that you really want. So you will have decide if you are willing to accept it.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Zach69SS

I would want a new one, remember the polish will remove some of the stainless steel forever. Very strange situation with a brand new piece from the AD? They all come with stickers and the bezel protector from the factory. They should just replace it for you.

Just like a car it’s only original once. But I understand that this something that you really want. So you will have decide if you are willing to accept it.

In my observation, when visiting Rolex AD from Asia, most of their watches on display are fully stickered/protective to protect customer handling.

When I visited the AD is the States, the watches are stickered but not including the full bracelet wrapped. Just the dial part and clasp are in protective stickers.

[Flypanam]

Exhibition watches tend to get lots of fine micro scratches on the clasp and polished parts of the watch, and that seems to be the case here, regardless of the deeper scratch. It's not a new watch.

[rajurama]

No discount then its a pass for sure no matter how minor is the scratch, you deserve a fresh piece. You waited long try somewhere else this dial is not that rare.

[SublimeZ06]

Pass. I wouldn't trust them to make it right without damaging it further.

[joli160]

It’s not on the case and rectify a minor scratch like that takes only a few minutes.
There is no risk that they screw up if they don’t touch the case.
I’d have no problems with the proposed solution

[cdmorenot]

This is going to happen more and more. This is not one of those my "AD SAID" comments... I have seen it with my own eyes. Those exhibition pieces are handled by hundreds of people before they're sold.

My brand new Panda came with handling scratches on the links that aren't protected from the factory. I had to either take the scratches or give up my Daytona allocation.

My wife's Candy Pink OP was allocated to us but I couldn't pick it up for two months. During those two months it accumulated scratches on the bezel from other customers handling it.

Not much I could do as both pieces are highly sought after. Pre installed scratches from dealer.

[Car32]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

This is going to happen more and more. This is not one of those my "AD SAID" comments... I have seen it with my own eyes. Those exhibition pieces are handled by hundreds of people before they're sold.

My brand new Panda came with handling scratches on the links that aren't protected from the factory. I had to either take the scratches or give up my Daytona allocation.

My wife's Candy Pink OP was allocated to us but I couldn't pick it up for two months. During those two months it accumulated scratches on the bezel from other customers handling it.

Not much I could do as both pieces are highly sought after. Pre installed scratches from dealer.

This, if ADs are selling exhibition watches that are handled, these "shop worn scratches are inevitable and it's up to you to decide how/what scratches are acceptable.

Wouldn't have this been the norm pre craziness when watches sat in cases for sometimes year and got handled? I started buying pieces in 2016 when things were only starting to get a little crazy, but back then I was asking for a new copy that hadn't put in display case yet which they obliged...

[ap1]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

This is going to happen more and more. This is not one of those my "AD SAID" comments... I have seen it with my own eyes. Those exhibition pieces are handled by hundreds of people before they're sold.

My brand new Panda came with handling scratches on the links that aren't protected from the factory. I had to either take the scratches or give up my Daytona allocation.

My wife's Candy Pink OP was allocated to us but I couldn't pick it up for two months. During those two months it accumulated scratches on the bezel from other customers handling it.

Not much I could do as both pieces are highly sought after. Pre installed scratches from dealer.

Laughed at that last line, sry though. That scratch is better than my gold OF Daytona though from the strap change. Display only gets another one. It’s ridic. Like buying your new car with 137 miles on it. If they stick with this policy it should be for eyeballs only and not even handled. There was a thread on here regarding the 250k le mans. The buyer paid but hasn’t come by yet and some TRF member has it on his wrist. I’d blow a gasket if I knew that.

[KatGirl]

Sounds like it was an exhibition piece for awhile, and got scratched. I would not be fussed over that little scratch. Up to you, if you want to take it or not. As hard as it is to get “the call”, I’d take it.

Kat


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[brucethemanlee]

pass

[enjoythemusic]

That scratch is exactly where i tend to bang up things. We could call it 15 minutes if you let my wife wear it.

OP: Is this timepiece going to be worn daily, occasionally, rarely, or is it destined for a museum or ???

PS: Here's my SkyD. Hmmm, maybe you should try the Jubilee bracelet as it tends to 'hide' scratches better. Just a thought OP as polished links are... polished.

[jb335]

I'd heavily lean towards passing on it. Especially since it's not the hardest watch to obtain. They'll get you another one eventually.

[KVNNSCHNG]

Hard Pass.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Keep if u want it. That’s a superficial scratch. Scotch brite it if it bothers you

[rohada]

I realize I'll get rock chips on a new car, but I don't want to buy a car with rock chips already on it. Just makes me wonder what kind of handling this watch has been subject to. If buying new, I expect it to look the part. But, that's just me.

[subtona]

Minor. Kind of nice to get it out of the way. I would take it as is and leverage for some future good will on a stainless sports model.

[Rentalcarman]

If it was me I would pass. Even if I really wanted it, the fun experience is ruined by a non perfect watch at full retail with a very in accommodating AD. And sadly if you pass, they will polish and and not tell the next person anything about the scratches. Yes you will get your own “life” scratches on the band, but that’s different when they are more than just minor hairlines.

It comes down to how badly do you want this watch. If they polish it and it looks new then get it and put their bs behind and enjoy it. I wouldn’t pay one penny until they are done to be sure they do it correctly.

Good luck to you.


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[Zach69SS]

Op, I agree with you, it is different when you scratch you own watch or car, anything else you purchased new in immaculate condition. So you did the right thing, if the SA was not helpful speak with the store manager and see what he or she will do for you? I’m crazy about scratches on my watches too.

I’m sure the AD will polish it and sell it to someone else and not even mention it.

Hard pass but it won’t bother you later.

[Auto16610]

You can make your own scratches and that's ok. Them? You did right.

[bigheart]

I answered on Reddit and will answer here also, I purchased a yachtmaster in 2011 and did not realize how shop worn it was when I bought it. They polished it but I wasn't ever happy after that experience and sold it in 2017. I am like the others here who want to put their own marks on a watch not purchase it that way.

[Pboned]

I would have passed on this as well.

[matthew P]

I would have done the same - wait out your local AD and create the scratches yourself if you are paying full retail.


..Explorer, Spring Diver & APRO..

[enjoythemusic]

If anyone in the USA gets offered a 41mm Celebration dial from their AD and it has a small scratch and you don't want it, PM me asap. Many thanks.

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

If anyone in the USA gets offered a 41mm Celebration dial from their AD and it has a small scratch and you don't want it, PM me asap. Many thanks.

This………a soft buff and it’s out, sure probably not ideal but why sweat on the small things.

[scheneider]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

If anyone in the USA gets offered a 41mm Celebration dial from their AD and it has a small scratch and you don't want it, PM me asap. Many thanks.

word

[Goldmansockz]

Going to be honest here. Really regret not buying the watch and having them polish it. I live in California and the tax savings alone from buying this in Hawaii (where AD was located) would have paid for a brand new link.

Filled my home AD in on the situation and she said OPs are actually really hard to come by given not a ton are made and people want them. She actually told me I should have bought it… oh well!

[Car32]

Im genuinely curious is these "shop worn" watches were an issue pre 2016 when cases were full?

Or was it that because cases were full, buyers could choose from several examples, request a brand new from the back, and ask for (and receive) a discount so it was never a real issue?

[bigheart]

Originally Posted by Car32

Im genuinely curious is these "shop worn" watches were an issue pre 2016 when cases were full?

Or was it that because cases were full, buyers could choose from several examples, request a brand new from the back, and ask for (and receive) a discount so it was never a real issue?

I bought a shop worn yachtmaster in 2011 so answer for me is yes. I think it had been sitting in the case for a few years.