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timetravel125 · 7 June 2007, 08:19 AM

I always read about scratches as a big concern for most of WIS. When do scratches really matter and when not?

I had read threads about how bracelets and watch cases get scratched up to the point that watch owners lose sleep and irritated.

When I first bought my GMT Master and Old Navitimer many moons ago, I didn't worry about scratches.

Now, that I had read so many postings about scratches I have started worrying about it.

IMHO, we should not worry, because watches can be refinished. Having scratches are part of watch ownership. What do you guys think?

Cheers.

Louie

nikhsub1 · 7 June 2007, 08:24 AM

If you wear a watch it gets scratches. Watches are meant to be worn. I wear my watches. I do not worry about scratches.

SPACE-DWELLER · 7 June 2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timetravel125

I always read about scratches as a big concern for most of WIS. When do scratches really matter and when not?

I had read threads about how bracelets and watch cases get scratched up to the point that watch owners lose sleep and irritated.

When I first bought my GMT Master and Old Navitimer many moons ago, I didn't worry about scratches.

Now, that I had read so many postings about scratches I have started worrying about it.

IMHO, we should not worry, because watches can be refinished. Having scratches are part of watch ownership. What do you guys think?

Cheers.

Louie

Spot on!

I am very much a perfectionist, especially when it comes to my belongings. But you are right. Sometimes one has to look at it a bit from above and see what we have here.......a watch.......it's meant to be used!

I am not wealthy, and what I have I have worked hard for to have.

Patek Philippe has a saying about its watches, it goes something like this: "You never "own" a Patek Philippe.........you are merely KEEPING it for the next generation".

Sometimes I halt and think about it.....am I so worried about scratches etc. because I do not like the look of a "battered" Rolex? Or am I - in my back head - keeping it so well as possible to re-sell it at a better price than if it were battered?

I mean: If you are loaded with money, would you give a damn if it were scratched? You'd just give it away if it annoyed you or sell it, not minding what price you get and buy a new one.

Maybe it's just me? I must admit that I have "flipped" a LOT of Rolex watches since 1989 when I got my first one (16234 Datejust). But look at the (genuine) Rolex watches on eBay. If the watch is well treated, or even NIB with tags, sticker etc. intact, you will get a better price. For me it does play a role if I am to flip my next Rolex (which I probably will not do, I must add).

JJ Irani · 7 June 2007, 08:48 AM

I worry more when I get scratches on my back from my sheep.....then I have to answer to Zemina!!

Steven79 · 7 June 2007, 09:07 AM

my new 1 week old Sub now has scratches on the bracelet just from normal rubbing while sitting at a desk all day. Very very light scratches on the "longer" side of the bracelet.

eh, it's not a virgin anymore. It's all part of building that relationship with your new watch. =)

JJ Irani · 7 June 2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven79

...it's not a virgin anymore. It's all part of building that relationship with your new watch. =)

Too much information, Steven!!

Ronnie Rolex · 7 June 2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I worry more when I get scratches on my back from my sheep.....then I have to answer to Zemina!!

JJ,

I hope you get that ewe a nice Rollie for her, ere... "services?"

Tombstone · 7 June 2007, 09:14 AM

I am somewhat OCD, yes the soup cans all face one direction in my home. I hate scratches but I also know this is a fact of life. SS bands are not that expensive (yet) that you have to sell your first born to get a replacement. I feel one should just wear the living H - - - out of their watch, have an RSC do a service on it then in time replace the band. If you like and you know for fact that you are going to keep the watch buy a replacement band now (to avoid the price increases) and save it for the future.

RT · 7 June 2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I worry more when I get scratches on my back from my sheep.....then I have to answer to Zemina!!

Don't worry, sheep probably won't go near a Persian like dogs won't come close to me.

Ummm yum, yum!

JPSUB · 7 June 2007, 09:28 AM

I have had my frist Rolex for about 3 weeks now. I have came to the same conclusions as all of you it is impossible to avoid scratches unless you dont wear it. I wear mine 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I try to be careful but still have some scratches on the the band near the clasp. I have no idea how they got there but as long as there is nothing to significant the RSC can buff them out right? I did not pay 5 grand for a watch I was not going to enjoy wearing, so I will continue wearing with pride.
James

JJ Irani · 7 June 2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSUB

I have had my frist Rolex for about 3 weeks now. I have came to the same conclusions as all of you it is impossible to avoid scratches unless you dont wear it. I wear mine 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I try to be careful but still have some scratches on the the band near the clasp. I have no idea how they got there but as long as there is nothing to significant the RSC can buff them out right? I did not pay 5 grand for a watch I was not going to enjoy wearing, so I will continue wearing with pride.
James

Well said, Bond.....James Bond!!

wandyprawira · 7 June 2007, 10:48 AM

Interesting topic

Sometimes when we buy something and it's the first one after so long waited opportunity and it's the only one for the time being, we might put our attention to it more than anything else. This is where the problem lies. We then notice every single changes to it.

Let's take an example, I'm sure everyone has had the opportunity to buy a new pair of sport shoes. When we got home with those, we'd really look forward to the next weekend where we're gonna try those on. After we have a joy for one or two hours of exercise, I'm sure that we look at the shoes and sometimes we'll clean them so they'll look like as new again. Basically it happens to most things that we newly bought, cheap or expensive, simply to extend the period of our appreciation to the new stuffs. It's the same feeling when we got our first car, computer, and so on. We might want to make them look like brand new longer so that our happy feeling stays longer. IMO

After some time whether we want it or not, that feeling will diminish by itself. It could be caused by whether we have something else new or even our daily activities put lots of tensions that we simply forget about it and time goes on and we don't even notice anymore to the scratches or anything else.

I would call it a New Stuff Syndrome and the way we react to it really depends on how much we sacrifice for the stuff. If it's expensive, like Rolex, we might put attention to it even more and got more disappointed if anything goes wrong with it.

I have had an experience like I explained above with my previous watch before Rolex which I had for around 7 years. The new stuff feeling has long gone after 2 years of ownership and I started to use it normally and I kept telling myself that a buff from an authorized service centre would bring it back to like brand new. I then brought the watch to SC a few months ago and had them to polish it but even it's properly done, the result is not the same as when it's out from the factory. It's the same thing when you crash your car and then have the panel beater to fix it. Any panel beaters will use polyurethane paint which was baked in the oven at around 60-70 degree C instead of the stoving paint from the factory which was baked at around 160-180 degree C which is more durable, shines longer, and much more beautiful finish due to a more homogeneous paint sprayed together to the whole body. We can't have that stoving paint anymore once the car was out of factory. I surely drive my 2 year old car carefully until now just to keep the stoving paint original and I will certainly do that to any car that I had or will have whatever the price is. I am not that wealthy chap that could easily flipped the old Rolex and get a new one, but that kind of New Stuff Syndrome and the thought that factory finish will never be replaceable which made me did that, of course I needed to wipe off a few items on my wish list.

montecristo · 7 June 2007, 10:53 AM

Scratch it, send it in to RSC every 5-10 years, comes out new again.

repeat.

Tombstone · 7 June 2007, 12:56 PM

Wandyprawira very well said good points of view.

mikey · 7 June 2007, 01:11 PM

All you need is a Cape Cod cloth and you ain't got to worrry about scratches anymore.

Steven79 · 7 June 2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey

All you need is a Cape Cod cloth and you ain't got to worrry about scratches anymore.

and what is this Cape Cod cloth you speak of????

will this stuff hurt the metal?

Angela23060 · 7 June 2007, 01:15 PM

Ditto... what is it?

wandyprawira · 7 June 2007, 01:18 PM

Bo, it's your turn to explain what Cape Cod is! Just make sure not to incorrectly pronounce it Shape Odd this time though!

JPSUB · 7 June 2007, 01:31 PM

Id like to know about it as well.

Steven79 · 7 June 2007, 02:54 PM

i did a search on google and some more research.. its good if you have scratches on "mirror" polished stainless steel or gold.

it is not for removing scratches on "brushed" stainless. if you use it, it will polish it to a high luster shiney look.

http://www.capecodpolish.ca/

Gaijin · 7 June 2007, 03:13 PM

I was thinking about selling my TT Sub to somebody. They said, "I won't buy it unless its perfect." Well, I've worn it. It has a few very minor and barely noticible scratches. Come on. Its inevitable.

If you want a "perfect" watch buy one new at full price from an AD. An hour after you wear it, if there is any gold on it, it is not going to be "perfect" anymore.

mikey · 7 June 2007, 03:18 PM

What you can do with a Cape Cod cloth is polish it to a high luster which will remove the scratches then get a Brillo Pad and rub in the direction to give you a PERFECT brushed steel appearance then you are done!

Blue Bull · 7 June 2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I was thinking about selling my TT Sub to somebody. They said, "I won't buy it unless its perfect." Well, I've worn it. It has a few very minor and barely noticible scratches. Come on. Its inevitable.

If you want a "perfect" watch buy one new at full price from an AD. An hour after you wear it, if there is any gold on it, it is not going to be "perfect" anymore.

I used WENOL metal polish on the gold of the bracelet.Its excellent for removing the fine scratches and scuffs from the gold.Just a tiny bit to form a fine layer.applied by a soft cloth.Rub clean immediately.Then soft toothbrush,with soap and then foamy aerosol jewelry cleaner.Rinse off well.I was amazed by the result.I will do this every 6 months or so.

s7horton · 8 June 2007, 01:34 AM

If you wear a Rolex (it's a novel idea to wear a watch, I know) it's gonna get scratches. I bought a Rolex because I knew it could withstand most anything.

Alcan · 8 June 2007, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montecristo

Scratch it, send it in to RSC every 5-10 years, comes out new again.

repeat.

There ya go, simple as that.

After all, it's a watch, not the Holy Grail.

SPACE-DWELLER · 8 June 2007, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven79

i did a search on google and some more research.. its good if you have scratches on "mirror" polished stainless steel or gold.

it is not for removing scratches on "brushed" stainless. if you use it, it will polish it to a high luster shiney look.

http://www.capecodpolish.ca/

Got the address wrong, man. It's www. shape_odd_polish.ca/weap/buy-a-newone

7 June 2007, 08:19 AM	#1
timetravel125 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Louie Location: California Watch: Rolex Posts: 644	Scratches! Scratches! Scratches! I always read about scratches as a big concern for most of WIS. When do scratches really matter and when not? I had read threads about how bracelets and watch cases get scratched up to the point that watch owners lose sleep and irritated. When I first bought my GMT Master and Old Navitimer many moons ago, I didn't worry about scratches. Now, that I had read so many postings about scratches I have started worrying about it. IMHO, we should not worry, because watches can be refinished. Having scratches are part of watch ownership. What do you guys think? Cheers. Louie

7 June 2007, 08:48 AM	#4
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	I worry more when I get scratches on my back from my sheep.....then I have to answer to Zemina!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

7 June 2007, 10:48 AM	#12
wandyprawira "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: hub Posts: 520	Interesting topic Sometimes when we buy something and it's the first one after so long waited opportunity and it's the only one for the time being, we might put our attention to it more than anything else. This is where the problem lies. We then notice every single changes to it. Let's take an example, I'm sure everyone has had the opportunity to buy a new pair of sport shoes. When we got home with those, we'd really look forward to the next weekend where we're gonna try those on. After we have a joy for one or two hours of exercise, I'm sure that we look at the shoes and sometimes we'll clean them so they'll look like as new again. Basically it happens to most things that we newly bought, cheap or expensive, simply to extend the period of our appreciation to the new stuffs. It's the same feeling when we got our first car, computer, and so on. We might want to make them look like brand new longer so that our happy feeling stays longer. IMO After some time whether we want it or not, that feeling will diminish by itself. It could be caused by whether we have something else new or even our daily activities put lots of tensions that we simply forget about it and time goes on and we don't even notice anymore to the scratches or anything else. I would call it a New Stuff Syndrome and the way we react to it really depends on how much we sacrifice for the stuff. If it's expensive, like Rolex, we might put attention to it even more and got more disappointed if anything goes wrong with it. I have had an experience like I explained above with my previous watch before Rolex which I had for around 7 years. The new stuff feeling has long gone after 2 years of ownership and I started to use it normally and I kept telling myself that a buff from an authorized service centre would bring it back to like brand new. I then brought the watch to SC a few months ago and had them to polish it but even it's properly done, the result is not the same as when it's out from the factory. It's the same thing when you crash your car and then have the panel beater to fix it. Any panel beaters will use polyurethane paint which was baked in the oven at around 60-70 degree C instead of the stoving paint from the factory which was baked at around 160-180 degree C which is more durable, shines longer, and much more beautiful finish due to a more homogeneous paint sprayed together to the whole body. We can't have that stoving paint anymore once the car was out of factory. I surely drive my 2 year old car carefully until now just to keep the stoving paint original and I will certainly do that to any car that I had or will have whatever the price is. I am not that wealthy chap that could easily flipped the old Rolex and get a new one, but that kind of New Stuff Syndrome and the thought that factory finish will never be replaceable which made me did that, of course I needed to wipe off a few items on my wish list. Last edited by wandyprawira; 7 June 2007 at 01:01 PM..

7 June 2007, 10:53 AM	#13
montecristo "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Ken Location: New York Watch: 116234 DateJust Posts: 1,769	Scratch it, send it in to RSC every 5-10 years, comes out new again. repeat. __________________ My Rolex reference books collection: The Rolex Report: An Unauthorized Reference Book For The Rolex Enthusiast Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover) Vintage Rolex Sports Models: A Complete Visual Reference & Unauthorized History (Hardcover)

7 June 2007, 08:24 AM	#2
nikhsub1 Server Advisor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: LA & NY Watch: 16610LV Posts: 1,118	If you wear a watch it gets scratches. Watches are meant to be worn. I wear my watches. I do not worry about scratches.

7 June 2007, 09:07 AM	#5
Steven79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Steven Location: Houston Watch: Sub Posts: 1,175	my new 1 week old Sub now has scratches on the bracelet just from normal rubbing while sitting at a desk all day. Very very light scratches on the "longer" side of the bracelet. eh, it's not a virgin anymore. It's all part of building that relationship with your new watch. =)

7 June 2007, 09:14 AM	#8
Tombstone "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Richard Location: LV, NV Watch: LV Sub and others Posts: 2,689	I am somewhat OCD, yes the soup cans all face one direction in my home. I hate scratches but I also know this is a fact of life. SS bands are not that expensive (yet) that you have to sell your first born to get a replacement. I feel one should just wear the living H - - - out of their watch, have an RSC do a service on it then in time replace the band. If you like and you know for fact that you are going to keep the watch buy a replacement band now (to avoid the price increases) and save it for the future.

7 June 2007, 09:28 AM	#10
JPSUB "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: James Location: Houston TX Watch: 16610 Posts: 332	I have had my frist Rolex for about 3 weeks now. I have came to the same conclusions as all of you it is impossible to avoid scratches unless you dont wear it. I wear mine 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I try to be careful but still have some scratches on the the band near the clasp. I have no idea how they got there but as long as there is nothing to significant the RSC can buff them out right? I did not pay 5 grand for a watch I was not going to enjoy wearing, so I will continue wearing with pride. James

7 June 2007, 12:56 PM	#14
Tombstone "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Richard Location: LV, NV Watch: LV Sub and others Posts: 2,689	Wandyprawira very well said good points of view.

7 June 2007, 01:11 PM	#15
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	All you need is a Cape Cod cloth and you ain't got to worrry about scratches anymore.

7 June 2007, 01:15 PM	#17
Angela23060 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 38	Ditto... what is it?

7 June 2007, 01:18 PM	#18
wandyprawira "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: hub Posts: 520	Bo, it's your turn to explain what Cape Cod is! Just make sure not to incorrectly pronounce it Shape Odd this time though!

7 June 2007, 01:31 PM	#19
JPSUB "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: James Location: Houston TX Watch: 16610 Posts: 332	Id like to know about it as well.

7 June 2007, 02:54 PM	#20
Steven79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Steven Location: Houston Watch: Sub Posts: 1,175	i did a search on google and some more research.. its good if you have scratches on "mirror" polished stainless steel or gold. it is not for removing scratches on "brushed" stainless. if you use it, it will polish it to a high luster shiney look. http://www.capecodpolish.ca/

7 June 2007, 03:13 PM	#21
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,179	I was thinking about selling my TT Sub to somebody. They said, "I won't buy it unless its perfect." Well, I've worn it. It has a few very minor and barely noticible scratches. Come on. Its inevitable. If you want a "perfect" watch buy one new at full price from an AD. An hour after you wear it, if there is any gold on it, it is not going to be "perfect" anymore.

7 June 2007, 03:18 PM	#22
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	What you can do with a Cape Cod cloth is polish it to a high luster which will remove the scratches then get a Brillo Pad and rub in the direction to give you a PERFECT brushed steel appearance then you are done!

8 June 2007, 01:34 AM	#24
s7horton "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Seth Location: Grand Rapids, MI Watch: 16613LB, 126610….. Posts: 995	If you wear a Rolex (it's a novel idea to wear a watch, I know) it's gonna get scratches. I bought a Rolex because I knew it could withstand most anything.

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