AD Etiquette - Scratched Caseback

[Vince_76]

Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are here. I picked up a Submariner date last week from my AD (known them for over three years. The SA is a family friend). I was wearing my date just which I also purchased from her a couple years ago. When I took it off to put on the submariner, she handled the watch and placed it face up such that case back was touching the bracelet. She did this a few times.

Resulting scratch is below. It doesn’t bother me much as if I were to do it myself I wouldn’t really care. However, I’d seriously think SAs would have more sensibility when handling a customers watch.

Curious if you think the SA was in the wrong or should’ve known better. Think it’s clear that I should just let it pass and it’s not a big deal. Hoping for a big piece next!

[Jack T]

That scratch looks to be the result of something more than just laying down the watch as you described.

Do you know for certain the caseback was clean, scratch free? And it looks more like a chip than a scratch. Did the watch ever leave your sight?

It just seems to be far too severe a mark on stainless steel from just laying the watch down on itself.

[nighthawk77]

I’d be surprised if resting the watch would cause that mark. I leave mine like that and don’t have any marks as bad as that.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Jack T

That scratch looks to be the result of something more than just laying down the watch as you described.

Do you know for certain the caseback was clean, scratch free? And it looks more like a chip than a scratch. Did the watch ever leave your sight?

It just seems to be far too severe a mark on stainless steel from just laying the watch down on itself.

Originally Posted by nighthawk77

I’d be surprised if resting the watch would cause that mark. I leave mine like that and don’t have any marks as bad as that.

Thanks, yes. I’m not 100% certain but I’m pretty sure that mark wasn’t there before. The swirls in the middle of a case back were there. I am very careful, however and almost always put a cloth between the caseback and the bracelet when I’m laying it down.

The watch never left my site. The only other thing I could think of is if her jewelry hit the case back as she later, put it in a watch pillow, but I highly doubt it and didn’t see that.

[rohada]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Hoping for a big piece next!

SA is family friend, I'd let it go. If concerned in the future, take off your own watch and place on counter mat the way you want it to sit. As what has been said above, seems pretty severe for just setting it down in that position. I've never had that be the result of doing so.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by rohada

SA is family friend, I'd let it go. If concerned in the future, take off your own watch and place on counter mat the way you want it to sit. As what has been said above, seems pretty severe for just setting it down in that position. I've never had that be the result of doing so.

I should note that one of the times she put it down, it was the case back on the folding part of the class. Not the bracelet itself. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[Milkshake]

Expected to see a pristine case back with a line scratch, instead I see one that is generally scuffed, showing signs of general repeated wear.

[senninha]

i actually thought i had opened reddit for a moment… ��

[PenDelicate]

"Curious if you think the SA was in the wrong or should’ve known better."

Yes.

[Bxtek]

Just putting it down face up like that once shouldn't have caused that? I'm looking at the three 1/2 swirl marks at around the 10-12 o'clock position. Is that what you're showing us? Or, is it the one at the 7 o'clock position? That one looks more like a smudge.

If she did do it, I would think it would have to be put down face up, watch crystal pressed on with somewhat considerable pressure and moved at the same time? Just the weight of the watch being put into that position once shouldn't have cause that.

You ARE right though, SA's should know how to handle a watch with extra care. When I'm trying on a watch at an AD, I put my watch down sideways with the crown up and the SA has never touched my watch before. At least the scratches are on the back and not super critical. If the SA is a good family friend, I would probably let this one go.

[Calatrava r]

There seems to be a lot of marks on the case back, none of which should result from what you describe. These watches are put down on their bracelets all the time and do not scratch unless pressure or force is applied.

[996marty]

As mentioned by others I’d be really surprised if that’s how it got scratched

[Rolex1982]

When I brought in my GMT for warranty work at my AD that is also listed as a RSC they did the same thing. When i picked it up i showed the caseback to them and told them to take better care of someone’s watch. They did see the result and i always take pictures before i bring it in. I told them that the scratch wasn’t deep enough to leave the watch for them to fix it but that they should be more carefull. Indeed it is weird…

[ArtNouveau]

I too do not see how laying a watch down on its bracelet without any extra force could do that.

[Golden Phoenix]

My general comment is that the staff should be trained to avoid doing that and potentially exposing themselves to criticism or a damage claim. I would be easy to instruct staff as to the safest way to handle a customer's watch.

[rohada]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

I should note that one of the times she put it down, it was the case back on the folding part of the class. Not the bracelet itself. Not sure if that makes a difference.

I agree that was not the best way to handle the watch, but family friend is really all I needed to read. I think you're right to let it pass. Just take control of your watch going forward and remove the potential threat. Not worth damaging friendships, for sure. Hope you get a big piece next.

[Mystro]

I think it looks like the green plastic tag was tucked under the watch and put away like that. That is typically what it takes to make a mark like that, but if it wasn’t there before. Rule #1 never let a AD ever touch your watch after you’ve purchased it. Ultimately it’s your responsibility when you took it off and I would’ve kept it closer to me out of her reach while trying on the other watch. This kind of stuff shouldn’t happen, but it does.

They should’ve known better but it’s a family friend and it’s also the cheapest part of the watch to replace. You will never seen it on the wrist so I would have no problem letting that one go. I would have much bigger issues with gouging up bracelet screws or scratches on the side of the link. At this point it’s a non issue.

[maximus1]

Family friend? Let it go

[KatGirl]

By the looks of that case back, it was an exhibition piece, for a good while, before it was sold to you. The watch being handled over and over, probably caused all those marks. Someone mentioned it may have been lying on the green plastic tag, which scratched it, which is a very plausible scenario. I doubt your SA had anything to do with it. Just forget it, and enjoy your new Sub.

Kat


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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Just putting it down face up like that once shouldn't have caused that? I'm looking at the three 1/2 swirl marks at around the 10-12 o'clock position. Is that what you're showing us? Or, is it the one at the 7 o'clock position? That one looks more like a smudge.

Thanks all for the replies. Yes, I am talking about that mark at the 7 o’clock position. I thought it was a smudge at first as well, but tried to remove it, and lo and behold it was not. Since most of you think it couldn’t have happened simply by placing the watch down, I am quite puzzled.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

By the looks of that case back, it was an exhibition piece, for a good while, before it was sold to you. The watch being handled over and over, probably caused all those marks. Someone mentioned it may have been lying on the green plastic tag, which scratched it, which is a very plausible scenario. I doubt your SA had anything to do with it. Just forget it, and enjoy your new Sub.

Kat


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Sorry if I wasn’t clear. The watch I’m showing is what I was wearing. Not what I purchased that day. The date just in question has been with me for three years

[TunaTuna]

Not sure how setting the watch down gently on the bracelet would scratch the watch. Did she put it down forcefully?

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by TunaTuna

Not sure how setting the watch down gently on the bracelet would scratch the watch. Did she put it down forcefully?

Not forcefully at all. She just placed it on the display tray.

[173rdabn]

HMMMM Methinks it was there prior to the visit but unnoticed. Normally, the AD puts a pad on the counter before the watch is put down. However, I think the scratch was probably there and not seen as you weren't looking. Hyper vigilance after the visit might be the culprit.

[painexpert]

Originally Posted by Jack T

That scratch looks to be the result of something more than just laying down the watch as you described.

Do you know for certain the caseback was clean, scratch free? And it looks more like a chip than a scratch. Did the watch ever leave your sight?

It just seems to be far too severe a mark on stainless steel from just laying the watch down on itself.

Yes,I agree.That a chip not a scratch.

[Patekfinder]

If it’s a family friend then go ahead and get yourself an allocation for a John Mayor green dial Daytona to make it up to you, her family friend.


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[Patekfinder]

At Bucherer, which is owned by Rolex, I tried on multiple watches from a yellow gold Daytona to a YMII to a yellow gold GMT on jubilee and others. All exhibition pieces. The SA lined them all up on the tray with the watch case facing up and sitting directly on top of the bracelet.

Do this a few times a day, for months on end, and then sell those exhibition pieces and yeah, they wouldn’t qualify as “unworn” condition any longer. If this was a gray dealer selling them as unworn condition, people would have a field day about the deceptive practices misrepresenting condition etc etc but an AD seems immune to this because it’s still technically unsold/new watch, but definitely NOT unworn.


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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by painexpert

Yes,I agree.That a chip not a scratch.

It’s not a chip. It’s a bit hard to photograph, but appears like a smudge. It’s not deep whatsoever.

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

If it’s a family friend then go ahead and get yourself an allocation for a John Mayor green dial Daytona to make it up to you, her family friend.


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Haha only if…

[carl123]

If you delicately rein-act the position you think the SA placed the watch down see if any part of bracelet touches that exact spot on case back and that could be your answer.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by carl123

If you delicately rein-act the position you think the SA placed the watch down see if any part of bracelet touches that exact spot on case back and that could be your answer.

Bingo