PCL Frustration.

[brucethemanlee]

Day 3 with my brand new BLNR and day 1 in the office...

Ugh...the PCL is getting banged up already and that's with me being "careful"

oh well...as the Rolex Boutique manager told me..."don't baby the watch, wear it, swim with it, play with it, enjoy it"

[ernie2]

I got my BLNR recently and the first day (it was a Saturday) I put a few scratches on the clasp. I didn't do anything except worn it around the house and went to the park with my son.

The scratches on the PCL clasp looked nasty so I brushed the bracelet. Now I am a happy camper.

[sun_devil]

For me it's more about the PCLs being too "blingy" and drawing too much attention to my wrist, rather than getting them scratched (though that bothers me too a little bit). Everest and Rubber B make some great straps that fit the watch perfectly. I got two from Everest, a plain black rubber one, and a racing-style leather strap with white stitching. They're super comfortable, totally transform the look of the watch, and as an added benefit, keep the bracelet in pristine condition for more dressy occasions :)

[cda555]

I have been debating about brushing my PCLs. I took it to Jewelers on Time (Vanessa) and got an estimate. It is noticeable to brush it, then polish it back if I don't like it?

[UnicoJG]

Tough decision, I like the look of the BNLR, however, like many here in TRF, I am not a fan of PCL's, especially on a sports watch. I would brush the bracelet.

[Andad]

Working with electronics and high voltages I wear my 14060M to work on a NATO.

The bracelets sits as new in the box and takes minutes to swap.

[520lux]

I completely understand where you are coming from, however take a deep breath and just enjoy the watch in all its forms, keep it and enjoy.

[SearChart]

I'd personally brush them.

[topcat30093]

Because of this issue with PCL's I no longer buy watches with them fitted.
I much prefer either the matt finish on my SDc or as in this particular case, replace the bracelet altogether with a Rubber "B" :)
Or as with the rest of my pieces fitted on a strap.

[TickTopia]

I'd personally have the bracelet brushed. As you can always have it reverted, back to the original PCL's.

[Spartacus]

Interesting that this thread only comes up with the BLNR owners, haven't seen a Daytona owner or Date-Just owner make the same complaints.

[BawlaDK]

PCL does not belong on a tool/sports watch. Period

[Muzz]

Looks great!! Works just fine on my pieces! Never an issue and looks A+

[Tseg]

If you wear it long enough eventually your eyes start to go and then the PCLs won't bother you at all.

[Tseg]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Interesting that this thread only comes up with the BLNR owners, haven't seen a Daytona owner or Date-Just owner make the same complaints.

Yes, the Daytona is another disaster.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by BawlaDK

PCL does not belong on a tool/sports watch. Period

In your opinion.

I like them and do not worry about them.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

How about relax and enjoy the watch.

This is the answer IMO. Geez

[ernie2]

I brushed my BLNR's bracelet because I just cannot stand seeing all the scratches on it. It is not a pleasant feeling looking at the imperfections.

It is like you are driving a nice Porsche but the front and back bumpers are all scratched up. Do you still "just enjoy and drive the Porsche" ? No.. that's not how life is enjoyed. It is just not a good feeling looking at your expensive possessions all scratched up.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by ernie2

It is like you are driving a nice Porsche but the front and back bumpers are all scratched up. Do you still "just enjoy driving the Porsche" ? No.. that's not how life is enjoyed.

So then maybe the answer is to brush the car matte so that no one sees any scratches?

[ernie2]

Originally Posted by beshannon

So then maybe the answer is to brush the car matte so that no one sees any scratches?

I'd put a rubber bumper bully on it.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by BawlaDK

PCL does not belong on a tool/sports watch. Period

I think Rolex did a great job with their tool/sport lineup. A sub/SD etc are sport watches. Made for the outside. The brushed bracelet is the clear choice.

The GMT being more of a "pilots" watch is made for the cockpit. Also, pilots typically dress in business attire with ties and jackets. PCLs fit perfectly adding a splash of dress to a tool watch. But that's the difference to me, one is a "tool" watch and one is a "sports" watch.


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[Mfrankel2]

Get the center links brushed. You can always have them polished down the road (or before selling)

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by jrs146

I think Rolex did a great job with their tool/sport lineup. A sub/SD etc are sport watches. Made for the outside. The brushed bracelet is the clear choice.

The GMT being more of a "pilots" watch is made for the cockpit. Also, pilots typically dress in business attire with ties and jackets. PCLs fit perfectly adding a splash of dress to a tool watch. But that's the difference to me, one is a "tool" watch and one is a "sports" watch.

Well said!

[richamby]

+1

The GMT is the next level of dressy.

[cdmorenot]

All,

I appreciate all of the responses. I can't believe this thread got this many suggestions.

During the course of debate the opportunity to offload the BLNR came up and I took it.

This makes it the second time I buy and I sell the BLNR for the same reason.

Note to self: Stay away from PCLs for now.

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[dsn112]

Originally Posted by cda555

I have been debating about brushing my PCLs. I took it to Jewelers on Time (Vanessa) and got an estimate. It is noticeable to brush it, then polish it back if I don't like it?

Nope, nobody would ever be the wiser if you went to brushed and then back. As long as the place is experienced. Rolex will make the bracelet look new again at service. Same process they did when they made it.

Nice Hyper Blue STI!!

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by ernie2

I got my BLNR recently and the first day (it was a Saturday) I put a few scratches on the clasp. I didn't do anything except worn it around the house and went to the park with my son.

The scratches on the PCL clasp looked nasty so I brushed the bracelet. Now I am a happy camper.

When they brush the center links do they brush in between the links as well? or is it just the outside surface?

Approx cost?

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I don't mind scratches at all and don't even notice anymore.

here here!

[ernie2]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

When they brush the center links do they brush in between the links as well? or is it just the outside surface?

Approx cost?

Actually brushing the PCL was an adventure. I posted a thread here about it and got some pretty good recommendations. I wanted to keep this local so I can go visit the shop and see how they do it.

Barthman in manhattan was willing to do it. I called and they will not quote a price over the phone, they need to look at it first. I just don't have time to trek out to the city and find out if the price is reasonable.

I then found a small watch shop in Brooklyn near my office. I called and went over there at lunch. The watch maker was not there so the boss there asked me to leave the bracelet. I ask how they do it and the boss said " just use a metal brush like that ? " Scared the crap out of me so I took the bracelet and left. I left my number for the watch maker there to call me back but he didn't.

So after some research and saw a bunch of youtube videos, I did it myself. I use scotch bright for the general area and use 3M 30 micron sandpaper for the curves in between links. I got all the supplies and tried them on a steel spoon's polished surface first. Then compared the result with my SD4K. They look no different. So I just went with it myself.

Total cost : $ 2.99 for scotch bright, $9 for 3M paper.

[GMT Aviator]

I bought the brushed sub bracelet with glide lock for my LN when I bought the watch itself. It did cost me to do this, but was worth it IMHO. I think the watch looks better with a brushed bracelet in any case, the glidelock clasp is an improvement and now I have no need to obsess over scratched PCL's which in all honesty would drive me mad.