The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12 October 2023, 12:10 AM   #1
cnc30
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New York
Posts: 3
How to remove marks on platinum bezel?

New to forum, apologies if this is in wrong topic.


Recently purchased a pre owned watch in excellent condition. I

noticed 2 horizontal marks on the platinum bezel.

It’s difficult to see in picture but it’s around the same shape/size as the scale and starts exactly where the scale ends (not sure if this is a coincidence).

I know it will soon get marked up much more but I have OCD with any scratches/marks that I didn’t cause myself. Especially, when it look more of a discoloration then it does a scratch.


Does anyone know what could have caused this or if it can be easily removed? So far, I’ve only tried to remove with soap and water.

Thanks.
Attached Images
 
cnc30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 11:09 AM   #2
rnothog
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arizona
Watch: always looking...
Posts: 23
Expensive watch and material. See a pro.
rnothog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 11:13 AM   #3
inadeje
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
inadeje's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Miami
Watch: me lose count.
Posts: 5,907
The bezel is bead blasted to create that matte finish. Any repair work would need to use the same process. The raised numbers are then polished.
__________________
♛ 218206 Roman ♛ 116689 ♛ 126710BLRO ♛ 16520 white ♛ 16523 white ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Bronzo 671 & 111, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Cartier Santos XL - Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41
inadeje is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 12:28 PM   #4
Juan Luis
2024 Pledge Member
 
Juan Luis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Juan Luis
Location: Dominican Rep.
Watch: Undecided
Posts: 1,368
Send it back. Good luck.
Juan Luis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 01:41 PM   #5
996marty
"TRF" Member
 
996marty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uk
Watch: RolexGMT/Tudor7928
Posts: 4,182
Clearly a job for the professionals
996marty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 01:50 PM   #6
Rollei35
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: NYC
Posts: 283
no way to "fix" the YM40's bezel.
take it or leave it.
__________________
Rolex:126234 | 124060 | 126622
Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar
Rollei35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 02:00 PM   #7
77T
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 42,016
Leave it alone is the best advice. The matte finish can acquire those “bright” spots and there’s nothing you can do to make it better.

But…
Since you asked…and you just bought it second-hand…and if you’d like it to be perfect…and if you want to be sure it’s genuine, authentic, and unencumbered...then send it to RSC and it’ll come back perfect as long as it’s not on the theft list.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 04:40 PM   #8
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,759
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollei35 View Post
no way to "fix" the YM40's bezel.
take it or leave it.
Not so, the RSC does it and there are also quite a few independents who can restore the finish. Not even that expensive.

OP, The picture does not really show if it’s a stain or a scratch.
If my bezel is dirty I clean it with a q-tip and aceton followed by warm water and dish soap. Works everytime.
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 06:45 PM   #9
jimcameron
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: ByDawns Earlylite
Watch: 16800
Posts: 3,580
Wear the watch. and loose the microscope.
jimcameron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 09:02 PM   #10
1William
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 47,776
Good opportunity to set aside your scratch phobia. Your watch is going to get slight marks and scratches through normal wear and the sooner you can learn to accept it and move on the better off you will be. Great watch by the way. Enjoy.
1William is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 09:27 PM   #11
georgew
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Real Name: George
Location: USA
Watch: mostly Subs
Posts: 804
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1William View Post
Good opportunity to set aside your scratch phobia. Your watch is going to get slight marks and scratches through normal wear and the sooner you can learn to accept it and move on the better off you will be. Great watch by the way. Enjoy.
yup, great advice
georgew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 10:48 PM   #12
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,420
Most ADs say only Rolex can properly refinish the bezel on the YM. They have the tools needed to do the job right.
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 11:05 PM   #13
Thewatchfactor
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: usa
Posts: 90
I think all you have to do is send it to the pros.
Thewatchfactor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 October 2023, 11:57 PM   #14
Rollei35
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: NYC
Posts: 283
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Not so, the RSC does it and there are also quite a few independents who can restore the finish. Not even that expensive.
Have you personally seen a "fixed" platinum bezel on YM40? I have.
It's like a used bar of soap.

If you call that a fix, then I can do that with a Dremel too.
__________________
Rolex:126234 | 124060 | 126622
Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar
Rollei35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:32 AM   #15
cnc30
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New York
Posts: 3
Thanks, I'm probably best off just leaving it alone.

Obviously, it's good enjoy watch and ignore scratches but it'd prefer it to be perfect when buying second hand.

Do you think those bright spots are definitely from natural wear and tear? I find it odd that both marks line up perfectly with the scale on the bezel and are also the same width as scale.
cnc30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:39 AM   #16
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,097
Repair maybe, I’d ask RSC for an opinion on that.
Replace at service (expensive - relatively speaking).

Leave it be … within a few months a new scratch will appear most likely
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:55 AM   #17
Eric88
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 88 keys
Posts: 2,241
It almost looks like a stain, or maybe hard water runoff? I'd work on it some more with some dishwashing liquid and a cloth, nothing abrasive. If it's something that has permeated the material then it will probably be something that the RSC or an independent will need to help...if you're really concerned by it, see if the seller will take the watch back or give you an accommodation to have this fixed.
Eric88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:57 AM   #18
padi56
"TRF" Life Patron
 
padi56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 53,062
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimcameron View Post
Wear the watch. and loose the microscope.
Have to agree.
__________________

ICom Pro3

All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only.

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever."
Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again.

www.mc0yad.club

Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder
padi56 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 02:23 AM   #19
fskywalker
2024 Pledge Member
 
fskywalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Real Name: Francisco
Location: San Juan, PR
Watch: Is Ticking !
Posts: 25,181
How to remove marks on platinum bezel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cnc30 View Post
New to forum, apologies if this is in wrong topic.


Recently purchased a pre owned watch in excellent condition. I

noticed 2 horizontal marks on the platinum bezel.

It’s difficult to see in picture but it’s around the same shape/size as the scale and starts exactly where the scale ends (not sure if this is a coincidence).

I know it will soon get marked up much more but I have OCD with any scratches/marks that I didn’t cause myself. Especially, when it look more of a discoloration then it does a scratch.


Does anyone know what could have caused this or if it can be easily removed? So far, I’ve only tried to remove with soap and water.

Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by inadeje View Post
The bezel is bead blasted to create that matte finish. Any repair work would need to use the same process. The raised numbers are then polished.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollei35 View Post
no way to "fix" the YM40's bezel.
take it or leave it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollei35 View Post
Have you personally seen a "fixed" platinum bezel on YM40? I have.
It's like a used bar of soap.

If you call that a fix, then I can do that with a Dremel too.

I sent mine to LA Watchworks and came back looking like new, think cost was about $150


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Francisco
♛ 16610 / 116264
Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 / 210.90.42.20.01.001
Zenith 02.480.405

2FA security enabled
fskywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 02:49 AM   #20
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,759
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollei35 View Post
Have you personally seen a "fixed" platinum bezel on YM40? I have.
It's like a used bar of soap.

If you call that a fix, then I can do that with a Dremel too.
Yes, this one, done by German lady
Attached Images
 
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 03:04 AM   #21
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,420
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Yes, this one, done by German lady
The original and the classic.
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 04:02 AM   #22
SearChart
TechXpert
 
SearChart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 23,639
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollei35 View Post
Have you personally seen a "fixed" platinum bezel on YM40? I have.
It's like a used bar of soap.

If you call that a fix, then I can do that with a Dremel too.
Have refinished many of them myself, definitely not looking like a used bar of soap...
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by GB-man View Post
Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
SearChart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 04:22 AM   #23
dba
2024 Pledge Member
 
dba's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: David
Location: Gardnerville, NV
Watch: 16710
Posts: 2,706
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimcameron View Post
Wear the watch. and loose the microscope.
This.
__________________
Current: 16710
Previous: 16760 Fat Lady, 16613 Bluesy, 16800, 14060, 16710 Pepsi, 216570 Polar, 116710LN, 16610, 216570 Polar (again), 16713, 216570 Polar (yet again), 16710 Black w/ Pepsi Insert
Hope is not a strategy.
dba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 04:41 AM   #24
Rolex1982
2024 Pledge Member
 
Rolex1982's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Real Name: Ron the Stoic
Location: Netherlands
Watch: GMT Meteorite
Posts: 1,358
Quote:
Originally Posted by dba View Post
This.
Best advice!
Rolex1982 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 05:18 AM   #25
jgottsman11
2024 Pledge Member
 
jgottsman11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: wHerE do U liv
Watch: 5164R
Posts: 1,450
Ask your AD to replace the watch
__________________
5164R Aquanaut "Tiffany & Co"
18238 Champagne Day Date
jgottsman11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 08:28 AM   #26
Alphaguy
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Al
Posts: 143
Return the watch and have it replaced Asap.
Alphaguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:35 PM   #27
Normunds
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Moon
Posts: 125
What marks? Can you see them without loupe?
Normunds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 12:48 PM   #28
samsmart
"TRF" Member
 
samsmart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: sam
Location: Dallas, TX
Watch: Me Tint
Posts: 3,777
There is a local guy here in Dallas that has mastered the art of refinishing the ym bezel. Sand blasts it, then polishes the raised areas. But it will never be as good as new.




Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk
samsmart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 04:28 PM   #29
OSUBaller
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: California
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Yes, this one, done by German lady
I can never get enough pics of this particular 16622!
OSUBaller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 October 2023, 05:41 PM   #30
Eric-London
"TRF" Member
 
Eric-London's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: London
Posts: 1,078
Enter the "adds character" people lol
Eric-London is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.