124270 sapphire scratched

[tna23]

I came back from the beach today and washed off my Explorer with water, only to find 2 large scratches on the crystal. Naturally I was pissed off, but also surprised since I thought only diamond could scratch sapphire - I was nowhere near any diamonds! I also didn't feel any rocks his my watch / arm. I cant figure out how it happened but also why it happened.

In 15 years I've never had this happen to me and I'm wondering whether the quality of the rolex crystal is perhaps not as good as others? Does anyone know if this will be covered by warranty? I assume the only option is replacement and that these scratches cant be polished out. Any feedback would be appreciated. I've attached a couple of photos to show the scratches at 6 and 12.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[s7horton]

It’s definitely possible to scratch the crystal and doesn’t take diamonds. They aren’t getting weaker, they were always possible to scratch. Sorry to hear about it. Rolex can replace it.

[tna23]

Originally Posted by s7horton

It’s definitely possible to scratch the crystal and doesn’t take diamonds. They aren’t getting weaker, they were always possible to scratch. Sorry to hear about it. Rolex can replace it.

That's news to me - I always understood that sapphire could only be scratched by something harder than itself, diamonds being the only material harder than sapphire. As I said, I've had plenty of watches over the years (omega, breitling, glashutte original, jlc) and never happened on any of those despite me not babying my watches.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by tna23

That's news to me - I always understood that sapphire could only be scratched by something harder than itself, diamonds being the only material harder than sapphire. As I said, I've had plenty of watches over the years (omega, breitling, glashutte original, jlc) and never happened on any of those despite me not babying my watches.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

That was my understanding too..

Maybe another internet myth?

[28mm]

Ouch that's painful. There's a thread about this same subject you might want to look at.

[afmars]

Maybe you bumped into or somehow rubbed wrists with someone wearing a tennis bracelet?! Seriously, that shouldn’t happen.

[tna23]

Originally Posted by afmars

Maybe you bumped into or somehow rubbed wrists with someone wearing a tennis bracelet?! Seriously, that shouldn’t happen.

Nope, my wife wasn't wearing any jewellery at the time and we didn't see anyone else on the way back. I agree it shouldn't happen and makes me question the quality of the crystal that rolex uses.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by tna23

Nope, my wife wasn't wearing any jewellery at the time and we didn't see anyone else on the way back. I agree it shouldn't happen and makes me question the quality of the crystal that rolex uses.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

Why would one scratch make you question the quality of the crystal that is used by Rolex?

There are millions of Rolex watches out there, most of which are in the face of danger ever single day on our wrists, if there was an issue with the crystal used by Rolex it would have been identified long ago.

My guess would be that you have inadvertently scratched you watch on something hard and sharp without realising, if the scratch bothers you get Rolex to repair/replace it. You have been unlucky.

[GGGMT]

Oh definitely can scratch sapphire crystal.m grinding on craggy rock at sea for example. Easy fix


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[amanbra]

OP I think you got unlucky with sand, easy fix.

[tna23]

Originally Posted by amanbra

OP I think you got unlucky with sand, easy fix.

How can sand possibly scratch sapphire? It's nowhere near hard enough... sand is about 7 on the mohs scale and sapphire is 9.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by tna23

How can sand possibly scratch sapphire? It's nowhere near hard enough... sand is about 7 on the mohs scale and sapphire is 9.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

Maybe there was silicon carbide etc in there? Not sure but something at a similar hardness was there and rubbed… =/ majority of sand is 7 but some stuff can be harder…

[lennywilkins]

Bad luck. RSC will replace for pocket change, maybe $200 including fitting. Definitely not a warranty issue.

[JSolution]

Done it a couple of times with no explanation.

[LewisHamilton#2]

Maybe it was a volcanic diamond, buried up under the sand. So you probably scratched it on a 20 carat diamond or something. Im not worried about the scratches. Just imagine how many watches you can get with that money. You were more focused on little scratches on a tool watch and ignored that diamond in the rough. When you see me wearing that Tiffany blue 5711 you will know its me who went to that beach...

[Harry-57]

There can be more than just sand in sand. All sorts of compounds of silicon and who knows what else. Thinking it shouldn't happen falls down in the face of the evidence presented. It happens. Getting it replaced, if you want to, won't be difficult or particularly expensive.

[TheWatchmen]

Easy fix. Don’t stress it.

[S’portEye]

Unfortunate for sure, but it definitely happened. Obviously it is NOT safe to wear a Rolex at the beach!!

Just kidding. Hopefully, the scratches will remind you of a good time with your wife. Its an easy fix if they bother you that much.

[s7horton]

As others have mentioned in a different thread, door latches or hinges are culprits also, even though they aren’t as hard as sapphire.

I’m 2003 I dropped my sub crystal down on a gravel road after loading my jet ski. I walked away with a hairline scratch. Easy fix.

[zengineer]

You have no idea what scratched it but have decided it is a quality issue? As others have stated, sand on a public beach has everything under the sun in it, including all kinds of rock particles, some of which can scratch sapphire.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[travisb]

That's a pretty good scratch.
Won't be covered under warranty.

[1William]

Sorry that it happened. Get it fixed and move on.

[fsprow]

Many man-made materials, concrete and its substitutes, synthetic kitchen counter tops, etc. contain silicon carbide which is indeed harder than synthetic sapphire.

[joeycarlson38]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I’ve managed to scratch a crystal on an IWC after my wife’s diamond ring hit it while we were cooking…. Sucks but easily fixed. Although I’ve not had any other crystals scratch, it certainly does happen. In the 15+ years I’ve owned Rolex, I’ve only seen the quality go up, and doubt quality control is the issue.

[CarlOver]

A diamond will scratch a diamond. If the sapphire is not diamond then a diamond will scratch it. There are numerous posts of folks scratching the sapphire crystal with iPhone glass and other unexpected ways.

[Mystro]

It’s extremely rare but there are a lot of odd abrasives in beach sand. It is a cheap fix if it bothers you. It’s all part of the journey and don’t let it scare you next time you go to the beach. I have never scratched a Rolex at the beach.

[Cdaddylutz]

Have you guys ever heard of the Jool tool?

I recently scratched my sub and I saw this jooltool thing on YouTube that seemed to work

Anyone else have any luck buffing Out a sapphire scratch?

[tna23]

Thanks for all the feedback. The lesson for me out of this episode, is that I should get a seiko diver for the beach and other sports activity. I don't mind picking scratches on the watch, but the crystal is a different matter and clearly the sapphire is not quite as tough as I thought it was. Disappointing given that rolex markets its watches as being built for adventure, but it is what it is.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by tna23

Thanks for all the feedback. The lesson for me out of this episode, is that I should get a seiko diver for the beach and other sports activity. I don't mind picking scratches on the watch, but the crystal is a different matter and clearly the sapphire is not quite as tough as I thought it was. Disappointing given that rolex markets its watches as being built for adventure, but it is what it is.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

I’d say your watch is still built for adventure. Just a scratch or two.

[DentistRodman]

For the longest time I would accumulate scratches that I had no explanation for. I'm careful to not bang my watch around and just have good wrist awareness in general. Still, scratches kept showing up. Then one day, it just clicked. It's because I'm a typical immature husband that likes to grab my wife's butt and she'll swat my hand away.

Lesson learned: only grab your wife's butt with your non watch wearing hand.