scratch on the crystal.

[thomas311]

so i woke up this AM and put on my SD. looked down at it and found this "line" from about the 28min hash mark up to 7min hash. so i immediately began to scrub it with my finger and nail. not coming off. damn. im thinking back and it might have been from my jacket the last time i wore it.

kinda bummed about it. i know, i know. i shouldnt worry about it and just wear the watch. i do and its almost daily worn (minus when i work), the case itself has plenty of superficial scratches but when it involves the crystal it just throws me off it little. i guess this will give it more character, ha.

sucks cause i have to look right at it tell the time

so anybody have any suggestions to lessen this little problem? it doesnt need servicing nor do i want to spend the $$$, so i really dont want to send it in just for this.

im wearing it as i type this. i do love my SD! sorry for the bad phone pic.

[Sixxgrand1]

This post reminds me of when I found a small crack in the center of the crystal on my GV...bummed for sure. AD mentioned that it 'might' be replaced under warranty...said with a wink....so - disillusioned with the fragility of that green glass I traded the GV (AD took it in on trade which does not happen often..) and wonder if anyone else has had cracking issues on that model of green crystal.

[thomas311]

Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1

This post reminds me of when I found a small crack in the center of the crystal on my GV...bummed for sure. AD mentioned that it 'might' be replaced under warranty...said with a wink....so - disillusioned with the fragility of that green glass I traded the GV (AD took it in on trade which does not happen often..) and wonder if anyone else has had cracking issues on that model of green crystal.

what did you trade it for? wow, crack on the green crystal. that would suck.

unfortunately, not under warranty anymore.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by thomas311

so i woke up this AM and put on my SD. looked down at it and found this "line" from about the 28min hash mark up to 7min hash. so i immediately began to scrub it with my finger and nail. not coming off. damn. im thinking back and it might have been from my jacket the last time i wore it.

kinda bummed about it. ill try to post pics later. i know, i know. i shouldnt worry about it and just wear the watch. i do and its almost daily worn (minus when i work), the case itself has plenty of superficial scratches but when it involves the crystal it just throws me off it little. i guess this will give it more character, ha.

sucks cause i have to look right at it tell the time

so anybody have any suggestions to lessen this little problem? it doesnt need servicing nor do i want to spend the $$$, so i really dont want to send it in just for this.

im wearing it as i type this. i do love my SD!

Is it a sapphire or an acrylic crystal?

Acrylic can be polished out fairly easily; do a search since there are numerous methods / products available and they have all been covered extensively in TRF.

[thomas311]

sapphire.

[Sixxgrand1]

Originally Posted by thomas311

what did you trade it for?

Brand new EXP II Black....less dress and bling - decades proven to be bulletproof - so incredibly comfortable - disappears on my wrist....and soon to be discontinued in its present model state..

[thomas311]

Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1

Brand new EXP II Black....less dress and bling - decades proven to be bulletproof - so incredibly comfortable - disappears on my wrist....and soon to be discontinued in its present model state..

great choice for me it was between the EXPII and the SD as my 1st. but would still like to own one!

[meloncap78]

I have seen such lines before on my old 16610LV and I got very nervous. These crystals are pretty "bulletproof" when it comes to scratching. It ended up being a water stain. Took a bit of rubbing and some windex but it came off.

[thomas311]

i tried a little soap/toothpaste with a brush for a good 5min. didnt work, still there. i guess my next option would be to take it to my AD and try polishing? does anybody think thisll work?

thanks in advance.

[George Ab]

Originally Posted by thomas311

i tried a little soap/toothpaste with a brush for a good 5min. didnt work, still there. i guess my next option would be to take it to my AD and try polishing? does anybody think thisll work?

thanks in advance.

I'm with Joshua, that I'm surprised it is scratched. I know, I heard your response. I have seen chips at edges, but a scratch from a coat on something that has the hardness index of .9 compared to 1.0 for a diamond; OK, it is there; how to get Humpty Dumpty back together.

To answer your question, no it can't be polished out. I believe the cost of a new crystal is $110. Take it down to an AD that has an in-house watchmaker have him diagnose the problem. If it is a crystal, he can order; call you when it comes in. You can drop it off and with any luck while you are having lunch he can replace and pressure test. Should be under $150, and likely will be just the cost of the part.

[thomas311]

thanks for the advice George!

[cid]

I never realized Rolex crystal could scratch. Always understood that it would shatter before it could scratch...unless you hit with a diamond or something like that. I know I've knocked the hell out of my crystal on door knobs and granite counter tops but never scratched it.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by cid

I never realized Rolex crystal could scratch.

Any sapphire watch crystal can scratch if it is in contact with a harder substance. "Sapphire" crystals are in fact made from corundum, #9 on the Mohs scale (more specifically, they're made from aluminum oxide, as are so-called watch "jewels"). Diamond is #10 on the Mohs scale. Does your SO have a diamond ring?

[thomas311]

my wife does wear a diamond ring. hmmm, maybe but I don't remember hitting her hand with my wrist or arm. the scratch itself is very superficial. if I glide my fingernail over it I can't even feel any bit of the scratch. but once it hits the light, you can def see a white distinct line.

funny thing is, as someone stated above, I've also hit my watch face on sooo many things and not a bit of anything. this is very disappointing to me bc of all the watches I've owned, including my beaters and collected ones, my fav is the one that has the crystal scratched. ahhh, this is too much character.

my wife just tells me to forget and wear it. "I can't even see it. stop babying it." I laughed.

[johnbeth]

Myself would wait till a service is due... diamond paste can help i think..

[Engi]

Diamond paste and about 10 minutes work and it will disappear.

Search here on the forum "diamond paste" and you will find a tutorial; with few bucke you will solve the issue in a stunning way

Ciao

Engi