Oh no my crystal scratched.

[Tek]

Two days ago I'm wiping my Sub and found a scratch size of a pin head on the crystal between 9 and the hands . First I though it was dirt but it wasn't coming off, and I don't remember that I hit anything to cause it. Even though it's a small scratch but it stands out against the black background.

I though the crystal is very hard. Has anyone experience this?

__________________

[Puffy]

never happened to me and i've banged my watches quite hard on all sorts of surfaces

[RoleXavier]

That is something very rare to happen, to the best of my knowledge the sapphire glass on ANY modern Rolex is guaranteed to break before it scratches!

[Jolu]

Originally Posted by RoleXavier

That is something very rare to happen, to the best of my knowledge the sapphire glass on ANY modern Rolex is guaranteed to break before it scratches!

Can't be that rare, somehow I've managed to get scratches on the sapphire of every single Rolex watch I've owned. Never had a crystal break.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tek

Two days ago I'm wiping my Sub and found a scratch size of a pin head on the crystal between 9 and the hands . First I though it was dirt but it wasn't coming off, and I don't remember that I hit anything to cause it. Even though it's a small scratch but it stands out against the black background.

I though the crystal is very hard. Has anyone experience this?

__________________

Yes the crystal being artificial sapphire is very hard but believe it or not they do scratch and chip around the edges But with modern abrasives today yes you can remove scratches from sapphire crystals.,you will need some good quality diamond paste. I have used 3 micron to remove the main scratch going across the scratch first,it takes a fair bit of elbow grease.Just a tiny bit on a cloth like a spectacles cloth or similar.Then just a fine polish after with the quarter micron,and scratch will be gone,and good as new. Cost for the two tubes in the UK around £15 expect cheaper out of the UK.And far cheaper than a new crystal takes a bit of time,if scratch is very deep then should replaced.

[InVision]

Chips on edge is most common and I have seen scratches unfortunately. See if you shot us a photo. That usually works to convince your self it is not that bad.

Mike

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RoleXavier

That is something very rare to happen, to the best of my knowledge the sapphire glass on ANY modern Rolex is guaranteed to break before it scratches!

Afraid thats just a Internet myth anything harder than the sapphire crystal like diamond for one will scratch it,hit it hard enough it will scratch.

[HL65]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You will be the only one to notice it!!

[xjeeunitx]

It happens. I've replaced a crystal on a previous Explorer II for around $150.

[InVision]

I see many chips and unfortunately a few scratches. Try to take a photo of the scratch, that usually convinces oneself that it is not that bad. ;-)

Mike

[ersnyder]

Originally Posted by xjeeunitx

It happens. I've replaced a crystal on a previous Explorer II for around $150.

Me too because of chips around the edge. I went ahead and did the bezel too and got a "new" watch back. Crystal damage happens!

[Tijssan]

Originally Posted by InVision

I see many chips and unfortunately a few scratches. Try to take a photo of the scratch, that usually convinces oneself that it is not that bad. ;-)

Mike

It probably is more the 'knowing' vs 'seeing' the sratch that is bothersome... At least that's how it is for me most of the time...

[EchoBlueUK]

How much to replace it?

[Engi]

No problem, you can easily fix it.

You just need to buy diamond paste (they are available on ebay in syringes of different micron) and in about 10 - 15 minutes of work, going from more rough to finish diamond paste and the scratch will completely disappear !

Ciao

Engi

[chris russell]

I have always found it's best not to look too closely at a watch; you are sure to spot imperfections. Entire threads have been taken up here by some poor innocent bloke or another who looks at his Rolex thru a loupe, (!), and discovers a microscopic dust mote or a gnat's-eyelash-sized flaw in the surface of the dial. Thereafter you can track the deterioration in the poor sucker's entire life thru his ever-more-obsessive posts agonizing over the trauma of the Discovery that His Rolex is not Perfect, (omfg).

I recommend ignoring the scratch, it lends character. If you just cannot do that you can send the watch to me for humane disposal. ;-)

[Art 1]

No scratches here, my wife has some chips out of hers around the rim.

[rdGOnoles]

Scratched the crystal on my band new sub when it was less than 4 months old, dont worry about it.....Life's a contact sport

[ve39]

careful around people with diamond rings, that is the common way of getting your crystal scratched.

i think it's only $150 to replace a crystal

[Tek]

Hi,

Thanks for the positive responds. I didn't know it could get scratched but now I do. It got me thinking 'is it fake?'. But now I feel better. The scratch doesn't really bother me now that I know. pin head size, it you really look close, you can see a little reflection of the face of the watch. I don't think you can see it on picture so I won't bother posting pic. But good to know the strength of the crystal....

[Sparky1970]

I have quite a deep scratch on my submariner. Bothered me at first but now dont even notice it. Had a price of £100 to replace it but decided a few dinks and scratches add to the watches history. I wouldn't let it worry you.

Sparky

[Tek]

Thanks everyone

[GradyPhilpott]

I can take a scratch anywhere and it bothers me not. In fact, I think it gives the watch character.

However, a scratch on the crystal irritates me to no end.

If you're like me, I'd say give the diamond paste a try and if that's not satisfactory, get it changed out.