Pro’s & Con’s of Protective Stickers

[Tocker]

I do think that watches should be worn and enjoyed. A symptom of this is that our watches gain patina, character, and marks over time.

Others like to keep there watches looking as new as possible, for as long as they can. In my opinion this is perfectly understandable, also.

Is there any milliage in applying protective stickers? What’s your opinions?

[Dave O]

I install high quality protection on the clasp only, when the raised section of the clasp is polished. I do not install protection on the clasp if it is brushed. I do this because the clasp can get pretty beat up, but not worried about the rest of the watch.

The protection that I use can only be seen very close up, and cannot be seen from a foot away. The pic below is after a year being on the wrist.

[slide13]

I'm not a fan personally. If I need to be worried about scratches and such to that degree then I'd rather just wear something else.

The ones where the whole watch is covered in protective stickers just look ridiculous to me. Like a plastic covered sofa at grandmas house.

The above example of just on the clasp isn't bad and I could see that, especially if someone works at a laminate top desk....I've found those laminate tops really do a number on clasps, much more so than say a real wood top does. Add to that polished center and gold and I get it and it's at least very unobtrusive.

But I wear simple SS watches without any polish on the clasp and my desk top is actual wood which I find to be pretty gentle. No plastic stickers for me.

[huncho]

any time i see a watch covered entirely in stickers in photos here, it looks fake to me on first glance. not a fan but also don't really care what others do when it comes to this, i personally would never put them on

[INC]

By golly, not again...

[chris242]

It’s an eye sore & watches are meant to get battle wounds along their journey with you. Just my opinion!


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[Vince_76]

Pro: you keep the watch fairly mint for the next buyer
Con: you don’t get to enjoy the beautiful finishing of these timepieces, not wearing them as intended. Also you look like a lame IMO

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Pro: you keep the watch fairly mint for the next buyer

You may be onto something there, maybe some of the folk who put those stickers on don’t intend to keep the watch forever.

I like my watch minty fresh clean - when I buy it, but I’ll be quite happy to put my own marks on it and I’ll not have it polished during services.
When I hand it down to my kids, it’ll have my journey on it, I think they’d appreciate that more than having it fresh unmarked.

A friend inherited a 1670 GMT from his dad when he passed, the watch was well used and stretched and the crystal marked up but my buddy keeps it that way and I agree.

[PenDelicate]

People who put stickers on their watches just don't give a crap what anyone else thinks. I love that.

[OG1982]

This thread should be renamed ‘The cons & cons of protective stickers’.

I’ll give you some.

1. They look awful.
2. They accumulate grime and germs.
3. They look awful.


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[Ravager135]

I do not like the look or intent behind stickers unless for some reason you just plan to never wear the watch which defeats the whole purpose for me. I don't have a problem with taking care of things. I take care of my watches. I don't intentionally do things that might damage them. I take zero issue with those who wear their watches with reckless abandon.

Having collected watches for awhile now and as someone who generally takes good care of all of my possessions, you can do everything right and you're still going to get wear and tear on watches. It's inevitable. Major damage goes in for repair, minor damage gets polished out every ten years or longer.

[Giovannibravo]

Originally Posted by Tocker

I do think that watches should be worn and enjoyed. A symptom of this is that our watches gain patina, character, and marks over time.

Others like to keep there watches looking as new as possible, for as long as they can. In my opinion this is perfectly understandable, also.

Is there any milliage in applying protective stickers? What’s your opinions?

I would assume they would yellow over time.

[Tim Plains]

I don't want flashbacks of the '80s and couches covered in plastic every time I look at my Submariner. I do like keeping my stuff looking new but not to that extent.

[stockae92]

There is nothing wrong with it except from the people like it raw and don't mind some scratches. And part of it is the dis that people want to keep the watch like new so its an investment. Or for flipping soon after.

If people want to do it, I say do it. If you worry about what people say. just do it and don't advertise it. The watch works the same with or without it. Who cares, its your watch, do whatever with it.

[travisb]

They're noticeable and take away from the beauty of the watch. Not to mention they're a magnet for germs and gunk to build up.

[EWY]

I use them but only on the case backs.

[KatGirl]

I’d rather accumulate micro scratches, than microbes on my watches.

Nurse Kat


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[Pboned]

If you get a good quality one, they still look good.

People use these just like they use PPF on their vehicles.

[mtrunner]

Not a fan, wear and enjoy.

[Nairn1980]

Not a fan

[opawlows]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I do not like the look or intent behind stickers unless for some reason you just plan to never wear the watch which defeats the whole purpose for me. I don't have a problem with taking care of things. I take care of my watches. I don't intentionally do things that might damage them. I take zero issue with those who wear their watches with reckless abandon.

Having collected watches for awhile now and as someone who generally takes good care of all of my possessions, you can do everything right and you're still going to get wear and tear on watches. It's inevitable. Major damage goes in for repair, minor damage gets polished out every ten years or longer.

Completely agree with everything you've stated here.

[WatchGuy1966]

Just put it in the vault or wear it. No in-between.

[joli160]

Not for me

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

People who put stickers on their watches just don't give a crap what anyone else thinks. I love that.

It's your watch, you can do anything YOU want with it. I don't mind the sticker for the clasp only. They do take a beating, and if it's PCL it'll easily scratched.JMO

[B2 Stealth]

Just say NO! to stickers. Wear and enjoy that watch sans stickers.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

stickers...

[Masteryacht]

I’m a person you would think would use stickers. I take care of my things and like to keep them in nice condition. I was always a “never wear new shoes out of the store” type.
I guess I’ve mellowed because I have no desire to use protective stickers on a watch even though scratches do bother me.

[Calatrava r]

I would put something on the clasp, but I have never found anything which looks okay, stays on and doesn't discolor. I have found the PCL of a PM Oyster Clasp is covered in micro scratches after just a few wearings.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

They're noticeable and take away from the beauty of the watch. Not to mention they're a magnet for germs and gunk to build up.

^^^

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I install high quality protection on the clasp only, when the raised section of the clasp is polished. I do not install protection on the clasp if it is brushed. I do this because the clasp can get pretty beat up, but not worried about the rest of the watch.

The protection that I use can only be seen very close up, and cannot be seen from a foot away. The pic below is after a year being on the wrist.

I have put on clasps also (exception being DD’s). The rest of the watch will take the hits…whether I like it or not.