The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 6 July 2019, 02:32 AM   #1
golfski
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: US
Watch: me whip & nay nay
Posts: 397
JC DSSD Sapphire Scratch & Dial Lint

Would love some advice from the knowledgeable people here on TRF. I took my two week old DSSD JC on vacation with me and couldn’t wait to put it to the test and take it to the bottom of the 6ft pool at the resort we are staying at. While getting out of the pool, I lightly bumped my watch against the underwater wall of the pool and came to notice a pretty noticeable scratch on the crystal. I was pretty surprised at this, I’ve had a Tag Heuer for 9 years and put it through the ringer and the crystal looks brand new!

Looking at the damage under light, I also noticed there is a piece of ‘lint’ or something on the dial. I had never noticed this before, and its very hard to see to the naked eye, but while inspecting my scratch damage, I spotted it pretty easily.

I know I messed up the crystal, but curious if that could have caused this lint to be on the dial? I am very OCD with my nice things (cars, watches, etc.) and generally like to keep my stuff in like new condition. I have already looked into ordering some Cape Cod for some minor scratches on the polished sides of the lugs ;) but have read all the comments here about just enjoying the watch and wearing it. However, this crystal scratch I don’t think I can ignore. The SS scratches I can’t see unless I am looking for them but these two imperfections I now see every time i check the time.

Curious to know how much a new crystal on a DSSD will cost if anyone has had this done recently. I saw a post in 2015 it was $700 for the DSSD, while seeing other references costing only $150-300 in more recent posts. Second question, is what to do about the dial lint. I want to take it to the AD and show it to them but worried they will blow me off because of the physical damage I have caused to the crystal. Any thoughts on how I should approach the AD? Lastly, am I being too OCD about these imperfections? I get the thought of the SS scratches and the character they bring - but I don’t think I can live with the crystal scratch and this peice of something on the dial.

Any advice and thoughts are much appreciated. I am now second guessing taking my Explorer II on a 100+ mile bicycle ride I am doing tomorrow, considering I can’t take a dip in a pool without torturing my beautiful JC

Edit: Adding pics. The scratch is right at the word ‘Date’ in the pic and the ‘lint’ is next to the shadow of the second hand round end.

Name:  74A1B26F-315C-4B29-9528-79AD67345964.jpeg
Views: 578
Size:  142.7 KB
golfski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 02:35 AM   #2
CharlesN
"TRF" Member
 
CharlesN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The UK
Watch: I love them all.
Posts: 1,860
No more swimming with your watch on this holiday i suggest.

just in case the crystal breaks.

Next stop .... the RSC for a replacement.

You are in the US I can not give you a price but others on here will be along very shortly i am sure.
__________________
Regards,
CharlesN
Member of the IWJG.
CharlesN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:24 AM   #3
golfski
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: US
Watch: me whip & nay nay
Posts: 397
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesN View Post
No more swimming with your watch on this holiday i suggest.

just in case the crystal breaks.

Next stop .... the RSC for a replacement.

You are in the US I can not give you a price but others on here will be along very shortly i am sure.
Can the scratch on the dial compromise the integrity of the watch seal? It was not a hard bang, more like a slight graze against the brick wall.
golfski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:24 AM   #4
antbkny
"TRF" Member
 
antbkny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Real Name: Anthony
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Watch: Dblue
Posts: 6,723
Have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.
antbkny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:31 AM   #5
Justinmg
"TRF" Member
 
Justinmg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Real Name: Justin
Location: FL
Watch: PO/EXPL
Posts: 3,371
Only a few choices: Try to clean it off, live with it or send it to RSC and they will remove the lint at the same time. Cost of doing business
__________________
////////////////////////////////
Member of The Nylon Nation

Does it do anything? It tells the time.
Justinmg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:39 AM   #6
watchmework
"TRF" Member
 
watchmework's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: DC
Watch: 126710BLRO, 116600
Posts: 7,869
If cleaning it off doesn’t fix it in, send it to Rolex for fixing and chalk it up to an expensive mistake.
watchmework is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:40 AM   #7
CharlesN
"TRF" Member
 
CharlesN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The UK
Watch: I love them all.
Posts: 1,860
I would have thought the seals would be OK but a scratch on the crystal creates a weak spot so it could crack
__________________
Regards,
CharlesN
Member of the IWJG.
CharlesN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:46 AM   #8
maxymax
"TRF" Member
 
maxymax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: CT
Posts: 721
Taking it to the RSC is your best option. Hope you didn't pay the grey price for it.
maxymax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:47 AM   #9
Bigblu10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Real Name: Jaime
Location: Here
Posts: 5,606
RSC may require a movement service to replace the crystal. Call them and see and tell them about the debris under crystal. Since these crystals are domed instead of flat surfaced they seem to be much easier to scratch when bumped against a rough surface.
Bigblu10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:48 AM   #10
g_luck
"TRF" Member
 
g_luck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 104
Sorry this happened and I know you must have been joking about "testing" a watch waterproof to 12800FT in a 6FT pool. Believe me, I wasn't laughing at the scratch or lint but the testing it part cracked me up!!!!

Again, sorry it happened and good luck!!

PS- Please don't fall off your bike!
g_luck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 03:48 AM   #11
fsprow
2024 Pledge Member
 
fsprow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Dallas,NY,Colo.
Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P
Posts: 2,547
The only way I would worry is if you are planning to do deep diving with the watch, which of course is what it was designed for. In that case, even a small scratch might weaken the crystal and it should replaced. Otherwise, if it was mine I would just have fun with it.
fsprow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 04:20 AM   #12
Rashid.bk
"TRF" Member
 
Rashid.bk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: 12800ft = 3900m
Posts: 11,173
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesN View Post
I would have thought the seals would be OK but a scratch on the crystal creates a weak spot so it could crack
Highly unlikely that would happen from the pressures exerted from a shower, swimming in the sea or even a 12 ft deep pool. Unless he was going to be 100m plus under water I would highly doubt a scuffed crystal 5mm thick would be compromised by normal water activities.
Rashid.bk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 04:22 AM   #13
CharlesN
"TRF" Member
 
CharlesN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The UK
Watch: I love them all.
Posts: 1,860
Unlikely -Yes
But - Why take a risk ?
__________________
Regards,
CharlesN
Member of the IWJG.
CharlesN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 04:23 AM   #14
SearChart
TechXpert
 
SearChart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 23,639
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfski View Post
Can the scratch on the dial compromise the integrity of the watch seal? It was not a hard bang, more like a slight graze against the brick wall.
Maybe if you take it to 3900m of depth, but that crystal is seriously thick, I would let it be until the next service. It won't compromise any water resistance I can assure you.

The lint on the dial could have been in there and might have moved to a more noticeable location, just a matter of opening the case, a quick blow of compressed air and close it right up, 5min job for the watchmaker and another 45min in the fathometer
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by GB-man View Post
Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
SearChart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 04:27 AM   #15
Bigblu10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Real Name: Jaime
Location: Here
Posts: 5,606
If the watch is two weeks old leave it be and just wear it. Sending it to RSC will involve it being gone for weeks and I'm not sure if they will replace the crystal and remove lint without insisting on a movement service. If they do you will likely be out 1K+ for the repair bill. It is your choice whatever you decide, but I would wear it and enjoy as is.
Bigblu10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 04:36 AM   #16
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,129
Quote:
Originally Posted by antbkny View Post
Have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.
Looks that way to me as well.

Marks on the crystal or dial would really bother me, so I’d be inclined to visit RSC.
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 05:42 AM   #17
golfski
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: US
Watch: me whip & nay nay
Posts: 397
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
Looks that way to me as well.

Marks on the crystal or dial would really bother me, so I’d be inclined to visit RSC.
I’ve been rubbing it with my fingers, towels, finger nails and microfiber pretty hard and maybe got it down a little. What would you suggest I clean it with? Alcohol was mentioned above, I assume that’s rubbing alcohol? Is that the same as nail polish remover? Should I avoid contact with the case and bezel?

I’ve randomly stopped in a few jewelers repair shops asking if they could try cleaning it, but no one will touch it, which is probably best.
golfski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 06:17 AM   #18
Roddypeepa
"TRF" Member
 
Roddypeepa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Real Name: Mark
Location: Southern England
Watch: DJ41 SubC SMP mast
Posts: 1,691
That crystal is so thick you could probably drive a monster truck over it and it won’t break.

Keep on swimming for now and take it in when you get home.

The lint though i think is worth getting removed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Roddypeepa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 06:59 AM   #19
petay993
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Pete
Location: Cheshire, UK
Watch: FXD MN21, BLRO
Posts: 444
You can get some diamond paste on the crystal and see how that goes.

The Deep Sea crystal is 5mm thick, a surface knick will have no effect on it at all in terms of structural integrity.

I would be going in to get the lint removed and a discount off the crystal polish/replacement for the QC let down
petay993 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 10:12 AM   #20
XZACM102
"TRF" Member
 
XZACM102's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Real Name: Martin
Location: CA
Posts: 380
If this drives you crazy definitely don't send it in for a service. Chances are the watch comes back with more scratches and then you'll be in for a polish as well. RSC is a hit or miss in this regard unfortunately.
XZACM102 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 10:25 AM   #21
usling15
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 253
That scratch is a structural fault. It may only be good to 3000 meters
now.
usling15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 10:35 AM   #22
watchmework
"TRF" Member
 
watchmework's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: DC
Watch: 126710BLRO, 116600
Posts: 7,869
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfski View Post
I’ve been rubbing it with my fingers, towels, finger nails and microfiber pretty hard and maybe got it down a little. What would you suggest I clean it with? Alcohol was mentioned above, I assume that’s rubbing alcohol? Is that the same as nail polish remover? Should I avoid contact with the case and bezel?

I’ve randomly stopped in a few jewelers repair shops asking if they could try cleaning it, but no one will touch it, which is probably best.
You could try some toothpaste...it has a bit of grit in it and I've used this for cleaning off water spots before with success.
watchmework is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 July 2019, 11:12 AM   #23
Justingtr
"TRF" Member
 
Justingtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Laredo
Posts: 191
Take a razor to it and try to scrape it off. It's probably paint from the pool wall as sapphire shouldn't scratch from that. Scraping with a little razor blade wont scratch the sapphire. As for lint under the dial, RSC or if your AD has a watchmaker in house.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Justingtr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 12:17 AM   #24
Johnnymiz
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: NY
Posts: 59
once I put one of my dive watches on, I forget they're there. did a little work on my jeep with the DSSD on my wrist and got a nasty deep scratch at 23 minutes. I made it my own. it wont ever affect how deep I can go because I'm not a saturation diver and, as it is, it surely wouldn't crack at any depth I will go. so, I don't care and I probably wont ever get it replaced because they only reason to fix it would be to sell it and I don't ever sell watches.
Attached Images
 
Johnnymiz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 02:35 AM   #25
Dirt
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brisbane
Watch: DSSD
Posts: 8,067
It could be paint transferred onto the Crystal.
Can you feel a notch on the surface of the Crystal with your fingernail running across it?
As mentioned before, a razor blade carefully and gently scraped across it on an acute angle will remove any paint stuck on the Crystal should that be the case.

If the Crystal is indeed scratched then you have a very genuine conundrum.
You see, If you choose to send the watch in to have the lint removed from the dial, then Rolex will certainly require you to stump up for a new Crystal because they won't be able to pressure test the watch after they open it up because the Crystal will likely be deemed to be a failure point. I know this from experience.

If it was my watch, I would chalk it up to experience and not worry about it until it's due for a service.
Besides, I'm not necessarily sure that micro sized piece of lint will ever be problematic in the grand scheme of things.
IMO, let sleeping dogs lay in this case
Dirt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 03:38 AM   #26
CoveWatch
"TRF" Member
 
CoveWatch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: SoCal
Watch: Rolex & AP
Posts: 4,535
that's unfortunate.. agree that you should try to wipe it off somehow first and if it doesnt work then RSC seems to be the way to go! good luck!
CoveWatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 04:25 AM   #27
golfski
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: US
Watch: me whip & nay nay
Posts: 397
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirt View Post
It could be paint transferred onto the Crystal.
Can you feel a notch on the surface of the Crystal with your fingernail running across it?
As mentioned before, a razor blade carefully and gently scraped across it on an acute angle will remove any paint stuck on the Crystal should that be the case.

If the Crystal is indeed scratched then you have a very genuine conundrum.
You see, If you choose to send the watch in to have the lint removed from the dial, then Rolex will certainly require you to stump up for a new Crystal because they won't be able to pressure test the watch after they open it up because the Crystal will likely be deemed to be a failure point. I know this from experience.

If it was my watch, I would chalk it up to experience and not worry about it until it's due for a service.
Besides, I'm not necessarily sure that micro sized piece of lint will ever be problematic in the grand scheme of things.
IMO, let sleeping dogs lay in this case
Thanks all for the replies. I was pretty upset when it happened but have gotten over it a bit and have just been enjoying my vacation. I definitely will remedy it before service, I can’t, not, see it when looking at the time and don’t think i can stare at it for the next 5+ years until service. I have tried to scrape it off with whatever i have had available, haven’t tried a knife or razor yet, but to answer your question...when i scratch it with my fingernail, I do feel it catch on something...i can’t tell if that is the divot from the scratch or as others have said, paint. The way light glistens on it, I am assuming it is a scratch...I can’t imagine paint sticking that hard given how lightly I tapped it. But then again, I can’t believe how deep the scratch is with how lightly I tapped it.

When back from vacation I am going to take it to my AD who has a jeweler/watchmaker that might be able to attempt at cleaning it and will ask about the lint. The lint is very noticeable when checking the time as well. Based on the comment above that to even remove the lint they might make me replace the crystal to be able to pressure test it again...maybe that would get me out of some of the labor cost for just changing the crystal? Based on comments on TRF, it sounds like crystal is a lot cheaper to replace when they are already doing some sort of service/labor.
golfski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 04:36 AM   #28
ltmgeller
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
ltmgeller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Mike
Location: New York
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 22,585
Quote:
Originally Posted by antbkny View Post
have you tried to clean it with alcohol or something? I bet that scratch is actually paint or something from the pool wall.
x2
__________________
Oh, look at the time...
Official Member: 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas International GTG 2019
ltmgeller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 04:54 AM   #29
maxymax
"TRF" Member
 
maxymax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: CT
Posts: 721
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfski View Post
.............but have gotten over it a bit and have just been enjoying my vacation........
maxymax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 July 2019, 05:18 AM   #30
singe89
"TRF" Member
 
singe89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Real Name: Jim
Location: Orange County, CA
Watch: Rolex, AP & Patek
Posts: 3,747
I had lint on the dial of my 2018 JC DSSD. It was also running out of COSC spec so I sent it back to RSC dallas. Lint removed and now running at less than +1 sec/month.

Normally I would say live with the scratch but since the lint is a defect I would send it back to RSC and pay for new crystal.
singe89 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.