Am I overreacting?

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Rinse the watch in a bowl of water or under a faucet before you buff it, if not you are scratching the polished surfaces with dirt and particles that adhere to your watch during normal daily wear.

A Rolex under water???????

[jimcameron]

Just wear the watch, don't rub it every day, don't put it under a microscope, don't abuse it, don't baby it. In 10 yrs send it in for service. Repeat.

[Ranger67]

Don’t think it needs cleaning that much, I got my Sub in July, not cleaned once yet (worn most days) but when I do it will be a luke warm wash and pat dry with 100% cotton cloth.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by otolith

Probably. I was lucky enough to get one of the new black Sub dates. The black sub date was going to be my next watch in my collection before I knew the new model was being released. So needless to say I cherish this watch and feel very fortunate to have it. I’ve owned it for about two weeks and have worn it maybe 6-7 times (outside of the home). I’ve never dropped it, bumped it, or done anything rough with it. Of course, since it’s my new item, I look at it and clean it with a microfiber cloth every night. I’m surprised to already be noticing some signs of wear on the watch. I’ll call these “micro scratches” because they aren’t noticeable unless I shine a light on the watch and look at the right angle. Mostly on the case flank and bracelet. Is this normal? Am I being the “overprotective/hypervigilant new parent”? If so, just reassure me and tell me to stop overreacting. This is not a complaint, just wondering if this is something one with more experience than myself would expect. Thanks

Oh dear, just enjoy the watch

[doramas]

Enjoy it. It's just a watch

[1William]

Wear the watch and enjoy it. It is just a mentality that will help with ownership if you do not go down the rabbit hole of scratches and such.

[Frits1980]

You are cleaning a sub every night and are asking if you are overreacting...

[winst]

Yes, Overreacting. Wear it enjoy it forget about minor scratches and swirls.

[macrowatch]

Yes. But also, get a different cloth.

[alphadweller]

Totally normal for the polished areas to show micro scratches even if worn carefully. Don't sweat it.

[tudorbaja27]

[brandrea]

Yes.

You can breathe on Rolex high polish and get scratches

[Oyster Sauce]

Yes, those scratches are normal. It is amazing how our watches accumulate scratches, even when we try to baby them. Now that it is “broken in” hopefully you can relax and enjoy it. Wear in good health!

[otolith]

Thanks, all. First time Rolex owner. I’m a newbie.

[Tomas Eriksson]

microfiber cloths are scratch magnets if not treathed with caution. Microfiber by design grabs dirt, you only need to drop it once on the ground to get some debris stuck onto it and then you are pretty much wiping down your watch with sandpaper.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by otolith

Probably. I was lucky enough to get one of the new black Sub dates. The black sub date was going to be my next watch in my collection before I knew the new model was being released. So needless to say I cherish this watch and feel very fortunate to have it. I’ve owned it for about two weeks and have worn it maybe 6-7 times (outside of the home). I’ve never dropped it, bumped it, or done anything rough with it. Of course, since it’s my new item, I look at it and clean it with a microfiber cloth every night. I’m surprised to already be noticing some signs of wear on the watch. I’ll call these “micro scratches” because they aren’t noticeable unless I shine a light on the watch and look at the right angle. Mostly on the case flank and bracelet. Is this normal? Am I being the “overprotective/hypervigilant new parent”? If so, just reassure me and tell me to stop overreacting. This is not a complaint, just wondering if this is something one with more experience than myself would expect. Thanks

Yes you are overreacting and its a simple fact all watches when worn will get scratched,and there is no need to polish your watch every night.All any Rolex needs is washing say once a week or so in plain soap and water.Rince after in running clean water and pat dry with any clean cotton type cloth.Wear your new Rolex watch in good health for the next 40 plus years now thats far more important.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by otolith

Thanks, all. First time Rolex owner. I’m a newbie.

If you want to clean the watch every day, scrap the microfiber and use warm water, Dawn dish soap and a small soft cotton baby wash cloth. Dry with a cotton terrycloth bathroom hand towel or body towel.
Cleaning the watch dry with a microfiber will likely grind any small dirt, body grime/oil into the high polish case sides and bracelet link sides.

[It's Hedley]

Originally Posted by otolith

Thanks, all. First time Rolex owner. I’m a newbie.

It's a legit question and you are wise to ask. Disregard those who seem to know it all and somehow have always known it all without ever seeking advice.

Enjoy your new watch!

[Jakey]

This is simply you personalising your new watch to your environment. Perfectly normal and now unique to you.

[otolith]

Originally Posted by Jakey

This is simply you personalising your new watch to your environment. Perfectly normal and now unique to you.

Thank you all who offered advice. I’m sure it’s an annoying question to those who have been at this for a while. I’m proud of it. I love wearing it. I’m fortunate to be able to afford it, but it’s still a lot of money for me so naturally I care about the upkeep on this piece. Just didn’t know what to expect. Thanks again gentleman.

Oh and to the poster above who used “your” instead of “you’re”... twice, I simply couldn’t read past that. Thanks for chiming in though.

[Handey0465]

Originally Posted by otolith

Probably. I was lucky enough to get one of the new black Sub dates. The black sub date was going to be my next watch in my collection before I knew the new model was being released. So needless to say I cherish this watch and feel very fortunate to have it. I’ve owned it for about two weeks and have worn it maybe 6-7 times (outside of the home). I’ve never dropped it, bumped it, or done anything rough with it. Of course, since it’s my new item, I look at it and clean it with a microfiber cloth every night. I’m surprised to already be noticing some signs of wear on the watch. I’ll call these “micro scratches” because they aren’t noticeable unless I shine a light on the watch and look at the right angle. Mostly on the case flank and bracelet. Is this normal? Am I being the “overprotective/hypervigilant new parent”? If so, just reassure me and tell me to stop overreacting. This is not a complaint, just wondering if this is something one with more experience than myself would expect. Thanks

is this serious? its only a watch. stop putting your belongings on a pedestal...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by otolith

Thank you all who offered advice. I’m sure it’s an annoying question to those who have been at this for a while. I’m proud of it. I love wearing it. I’m fortunate to be able to afford it, but it’s still a lot of money for me so naturally I care about the upkeep on this piece. Just didn’t know what to expect. Thanks again gentleman.

Oh and to the poster above who used “your” instead of “you’re”... twice, I simply couldn’t read past that. Thanks for chiming in though.

If grammar errors make it hard to participate here then expect not to be able to read most threads.

-A reformed English major

[Lozzer]

Hi Otolith, fully understand your concerns... I am just the same of minor swirls etc in the paintwork on my cars.... Concentrate on enjoying your stunning watch and don’t allow yourself to focus on potential marks etc. ������

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

If grammar errors make it hard to participate here then expect not to be able to read most threads.

-A reformed English major

Your right Lee

[otolith]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

is this serious? its only a watch. stop putting your belongings on a pedestal...

Yes, it’s serious. Got the advice I was looking for. Meaningless overused cliche is meaningless and overused ; )

[sutats]

Huge congrats! It's non unusual behaviour, the forum receives posts about scratches and subsequently polishing on a regular basis. It's all relative, the more valuable our belongings is to us, the more we fuss about it. The homeless person is worried about getting his next meal. Consumerism is a trap, stand back and look at the bigger picture and enjoy life.

[otolith]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

is this serious? its only a watch. stop putting your belongings on a pedestal...

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe it’s the pedestal that’s scratching it. Maybe I should get a new pedestal.

[JodyHighroller]

First off, glad you had to the courage to come here and ask for advice. These kind of topics always ruffle some feathers, so don’t take those responses personally. It’s normal behavior given how significant the timepiece is to you as already explained. I was in the same shoes as you when I first got my first real watch some years back. It’s truly impossible to avoid the hairlines/micro scratches on the highly polished surfaces. It just comes with the territory unfortunately. Keep in mind, these are easily rectified during the major service polishing, so don’t sweat it. Practice wrist awareness along with a good cleaning practice and you’ll be set!

I’d recommend to to ditch the daily wipe down with a microfiber unless you’re cleaning the watch with soap and water each time. As mentioned by the others, you are simply creating more hairline scratches wiping a contaminated surface.

I personally don’t wipe down my watches unless I am doing a full cleaning. My cleaning regimen consists of spraying down the watch with Wrist Clean and spreading the solution with my hands. I follow with their brush only if the watch or bracelet is significantly dirty. I then do a thorough rinse followed by pat/wipe down to dry. Take a look at their products if you haven’t already. A lot of folks on here use them and love it. My favorites are the solution and drying towels.

[LDN]

Do not wipe your watch with any kind of towel of any material. I wash mine with soap and warm running water and then dry it with a hair blower!

See below
https://youtu.be/sO1ziKePujw

[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by LDN

Do not wipe your watch with any kind of towel of any material. I wash mine with soap and warm running water and then dry it with a hair blower!

See below
https://youtu.be/sO1ziKePujw

I’m sorry, but that video is ridiculous. It has more negative votes than positive so that should tell you. He’s afraid of hairlines on his PCL yet lays his watch flat with the clasp rubbing the case back?

This reminds me of those folks who use a gas leaf blower to dry their car after detailing it.