Cufflinks, shirt buttons, and SCRATCHES!!!!

[Bucky]

Just reading through the threads about watches getting scratches when they are being worn while typing (mac notebook seems to come up a few times as a culprit). This got me thinking about when people who wear shirts on a daily basis cope with cufflinks/shirt buttons and there watches.
I don't wear a shirt on a regular basis as my job does not require me to do so. The other day i had a shirt on although it didn't need me to wear cufflinks with it the sleeve buttons were the popper kind and meant that the inside of the sleeve was metal. I was aware that my watch would be grinding against this metal and cause some scratches. I turned the sleeves up as it was bugging me.
For those of you who wear shirts everyday especially with cufflinks are you aware of this problem that although you think your watch is protected from scratches from external forces. That metal cufflink or metal button popper is marking the PCL's of your shiny bracelet!!!

[aleeboy]

The only way to avoid scratches is to keep you watch in its original packaging in storage.

Buttons, cuff links, keyboards, dining tables, office tables and any hard surface are your enemies. Alternatively, you can just think of scratches as being inevitable and not care too much.

Note: stay away from zippered pockets!

[Flintstone]

I wear links almost daily and I can tell you that my watches have never been scratched by the links. Just wear your watch and enjoy.

[SUBversive]

No shirt no shoes no service.

I think you are overthinking things a little.

[Tools]

Protecting my watch from scratches

It's not something that consumes my daily dressing process.

[Bucky]

Not over thinking, just stating a point. No different to people posting threads about putting clear tape on their clasps to stop marking their bracelets while they are sitting at their desks.

[Time Exposure]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

No shirt no shoes no service.



I think you are overthinking things a little.

Originally Posted by Bucky

Not over thinking, just stating a point. No different to people posting threads about putting clear tape on their clasps to stop marking their bracelets while they are sitting at their desks.

There are those who go to extremes to protect their watches and bracelets. There are others who don't care if the watch and bracelet get dinged and scratched. Among those folks, some leave it, others have it polished during service.
Then there are those who are in between. They don't go to extremes to protect the watch, but they try to avoid situations where it might be damaged.
I think this thread is good for those who may otherwise have not considered the possibility of damaging the watch, and may now exercise some level of caution when wearing links and metal-backed buttons. And yes, there will always be those who could care less.
Thank you both for sharing how you feel.

[jmiicustomz]

First I have no issue with this thread!

Now that we have that out of the way. I can see where metal "pop" buttons as you call them can scratch your watch. I own one shirt with them ( colombia fishing shirt.) I have no doubt that it has caused a scratch or two on my watches. I do not however see how cuff links can cause damage if worn in a traditional French cuff. All the exposed metal of the link is on the outside of the sleeve and inside the 4 sections of cloth are pulled together tight enough so as not to leave metal exposed. All of that said I rarely take my watches off other than to sleep and my watches show it. They are not beautiful and pristine, but rather well used and well loved. I use sterling flatware and 150 yr old China too. We have these things to use them not leave in a display or safe.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

[metooxx]

Always wear cufflinks and never had scratch.

[Chaching]

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

First I have no issue with this thread!

Now that we have that out of the way. I can see where metal "pop" buttons as you call them can scratch your watch. I own one shirt with them ( colombia fishing shirt.) I have no doubt that it has caused a scratch or two on my watches. I do not however see how cuff links can cause damage if worn in a traditional French cuff. All the exposed metal of the link is on the outside of the sleeve and inside the 4 sections of cloth are pulled together tight enough so as not to leave metal exposed. All of that said I rarely take my watches off other than to sleep and my watches show it. They are not beautiful and pristine, but rather well used and well loved. I use sterling flatware and 150 yr old China too. We have these things to use them not leave in a display or safe.

This, and I wear cufflinks often and never noticed them touching my watch nor shirt buttons scratching it either.
My advice: Just wear it, enjoy it, service it.

[Muzz]

I wear cuff links 80% of the time, no issues what so ever!

[Rzani]

Originally Posted by Bucky

Not over thinking, just stating a point. No different to people posting threads about putting clear tape on their clasps to stop marking their bracelets while they are sitting at their desks.

Maybe overthinking is the wrong term. How about worrying too much? And like you said it is not different from the guy who puts tape on his clasps. I think he probably worries or obsesses about scratches a little too much as well. But, we are all different and walk our own path in life. I don't care if my watch gets scratched, but if you do then I can see how those metal buttons could cause some of those swirls people talk about on the PCLs. I say just wear it and if the swirls/scratches bother you then have them polished out from time to time.

[KellyM3]

Ha ha ha

Originally Posted by SUBversive

No shirt no shoes no service.

I think you are overthinking things a little.

[SeaAndSky]

Scratches again. If you're concerned about cufflinks marking up your watch then don't wear them. Having a metal cufflink rubbing against your PCLs all day long is going to mark them up. As for buttons, my shirts have buttons which fasten away from the watch with cotton thread backing. I'd bet a significant portion of my retirement savings that cotton thread doesn't mark up my GMT. Enjoy that fine time piece sir! And if you want it looking brand new, don't worry, every five years or so a RSC or Rikki or Vanessa will have it looking that way again.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Scratched watches have that desirable unpolished look... If kept pristine they might be mistaken for the dreaded "polished case and bracelet" watch...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

Protecting my watch from scratches

It's not something that consumes my daily dressing process.

X2 On that one Larry my priority is that everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.

[davenotize]

I dont get any scratches with my links and I wear them about 80% of the time. as Im checking my watch and the side where they are suppose to make contact and there are no scratches. on the other hand I think youre watch is protected by the cuff from any desk/laptop scratch.

[watchwatcher]

You can worry about almost anything if you try hard enough.