Slight mess up with Sub rear cover

[Bruno Datejust]

Hello fellows,
Bruno from Italy. I did a slight, but to my attentive eye still visible mess on the rear cover of my Sub with Scotch-brite. I tried to solve it then by myself, but the result is not quite the right thing. How could I have it fixed in the safest and not too expensive way? It's about a slight polish and brush of the cover only.
Many could say "the first battle scar", I understand this, but I know that I'm able to keep my watches in perfect order, while using them everyday and I know also that there is no further reason for "battle scars" on the bottom cover.
Thanks for your time, maybe there could be some suggestion.

[MattyL147]

Do you mean the rear case back? Not sure what you did, but I'd leave it be.

[Benzsiam]

Show the picture!

[Bruno Datejust]

Originally Posted by MattyL147

Do you mean the rear case back? Not sure what you did, but I'd leave it be.

Yes, the screwed in bottom. I tried to clear out some light scratches form the bracelet and messed up on the polished tapered ring around the central brushed flat disk.

[Brny11]

Pics?


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[Bruno Datejust]

Pics will follow, not easy to take.

[shaunylw]

Buy a Bergeon pen and brush it.

[kwcsports]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

Yes, the screwed in bottom. I tried to clear out some light scratches form the bracelet and messed up on the polished tapered ring around the central brushed flat disk.

What ? ^^^^^

[173rdabn]

It's the back and can't be seen. RSC will correct it during a service.

[Napoleon]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

It's the back and can't be seen. RSC will correct it during a service.

Agree. Not worth worrying about.

[Bruno Datejust]

Here are some photos. On the first two it is more or less possible to see the scratches, they are due to an unaware use of Scotch-brite by me (I should have done a trial on another stainless steel surface before touching my watch.. Damn!) and of what came out after I tried to polish it, covering the brushed central part with an adhesive tape disk. So what is visible now is the mix of these actions. The last photo shows how it should be on the bottom, on the upper part the little scratches are visible.
Just to repeat it: REALLY NO DRAMA HERE.
I am simply wondering if it would be possible to fix it, considering that this is not due to happen again, with a little expense (say 100€). My idea is: Could I buy a simple but perfectly adapted tool to screw out the back cover with absolutely no damage (I will keep the tool and be able to see the movement on the occasion), send the only cover to somebody trusted who could redo a perfect Rolex-style finish, have it back, screw it in and that's all. I should mark and remember the tightness of the screwing, clean up gaskets and surfaces to have it back water-tight, keep the Sub in a dust-tight situation while waiting for the cover. Little expense, problem fixed and something new learned would be the overall result.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

It's the back and can't be seen. RSC will correct it during a service.

Have to agree just cannot see why some fret over tiny marks especially on case back where know-one will see.Trouble today Rolex watches in general get such a pampered life owner frets at the slightest mark,then DIY fix scratch kicks in and then mostly does more harm and good.All normal everyday wearing marks,scratches etc should be left till normal routine RSC service its that simple every 5-10 years depending on use..

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

...I know that I'm able to keep my watches in perfect order, while using them everyday and I know also that there is no further reason for "battle scars" on the bottom cover.
Thanks for your time, maybe there could be some suggestion.

Nobody (and I do mean nobody) keeps their watches in 'perfect order' unless it goes straight from the AD still inside the shipping carton and then sits in the owner's safe indefinitely.

Leave it, and have the scratches tended to when it needs it's next service. That's my suggestion.

[Bruno Datejust]

Thank you both. Ok, let's say "almost perfect order".. seems due to be left as is..

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

Yes, the screwed in bottom. I tried to clear out some light scratches form the bracelet and messed up on the polished tapered ring around the central brushed flat disk.

Sometimes in life doing nothing is the best option......I would resist the temptation and follow the advice from others and have it fixed at the next service. Nice watch and hope you continue to enjoy

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

.. seems due to be left as is..

I agree with your decision to leave it as is. As for cost - the only delta is choice of servicing.

When you are ready for an overhaul, the only difference in cost would be using the RSC vs. an Independent watchmaker who might charge less. Polishing by RSC will have it looking factory fresh at the standard service cost + you get a 2-yr. warranty, but more expensive than an Indie.

I expect it could be overhauled by an Indie, but the polishing standards can vary depending upon his/her equipment, skills and experience. Not everyone is equally experienced.



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[Bruno Datejust]

Originally Posted by 77T

I agree with your decision to leave it as is. As for cost - the only delta is choice of servicing.

When you are ready for an overhaul, the only difference in cost would be using the RSC vs. an Independent watchmaker who might charge less. Polishing by RSC will have it looking factory fresh at the standard service cost + you get a 2-yr. warranty, but more expensive than an Indie.

I expect it could be overhauled by an Indie, but the polishing standards can vary depending upon his/her equipment, skills and experience. Not everyone is equally experienced.



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It was overhauled with an outstanding work a few months ago by RSC here in Italy (seems to be in Novara). I could contact them for an only cosmetic touch-up of the back cover. A complete only-cosmetic overhaul of something like an OP or DJ is about 150 € here in Italy, in my case it would be only a small part of that work, but I should send the complete watch. This is a potential option, for the moment I didn't contact them.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

Thank you both. Ok, let's say "almost perfect order".. seems due to be left as is..

[JonaG]

Here’s a brief non-watch related anecdote: I once had a vintage turntable that was perfect except for a ding on an aluminum panel that bugged the hell out of me...if I could tell you the chain of events that led from fixing that to the entire machine sitting in a box in my storage,I would.

Leave it be and leave it to RSC when the time comes.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

It was overhauled with an outstanding work a few months ago by RSC here in Italy (seems to be in Novara). I could contact them for an only cosmetic touch-up of the back cover. A complete only-cosmetic overhaul of something like an OP or DJ is about 150 € here in Italy, in my case it would be only a small part of that work, but I should send the complete watch. This is a potential option, for the moment I didn't contact them.

Now, now...no back-sliding...

Resist the temptation. Remember, “the perfect is the enemy of the good”.

Five years or more from now is soon enough.


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[Calatrava r]

I would never attempt to fix a scratch on a watch. That is for people properly trained and skilled with the right power tools with the case usually unassembled. Best left for the regular servicing.

[Bruno Datejust]

I'm usually quite good in finding solutions to these little problems. This time I attempted, but not so much.
I could also ask the RSC about some kind of little extra service, specifically combine the polishing of the rear cover, a swap out of all the pins they can reach (when sizing the bracelet, there was some wear on the screwed pins) and asking them if they can give me a spare LN bezel to keep for the future. I've noticed that Rolex policies are not the same in all the countries.
It would be interesting to learn their answers, on the whole my experiences with ADs are not bad.

[kieselguhr]

Wise decision to leave it be

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree just cannot see why some fret over tiny marks especially on case back where know-one will see.Trouble today Rolex watches in general get such a pampered life owner frets at the slightest mark,then DIY fix scratch kicks in and then mostly does more harm and good.All normal everyday wearing marks,scratches etc should be left till normal routine RSC service its that simple every 5-10 years depending on use..

i agree

[GMT Aviator]

Leave it be. After a while you won’t even think about it. If it still bothers you come service time, if you keep it that long, then ask for a new case back. They’re not expensive.