Need some advice please. How would you go about fixing this?

[FL2024]

Not sure how this happened to my 214270 Explorer. I must have smacked it hard on something, maybe a rock, doorframe, seatbelt, etc... This really bothers me to see. Anyway, does this look like something that RSC could polish out? They can hardly be felt with a fingernail. So I'm hoping they are not too deep.

Do you think this needs laser welding? I really do not want to do laser welding from a 3rd party. Do you think RSC can fix this? Is this an easy fix?

The other option is to just leave and and live with it. Would you be able to live with something like this or would it worry you? Depend on the light these scotches are more or less visible.

I really am relatively new to watches so I don't know how bad this is.

Any expertise and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[amphr1]

Should be an easy polish.

If you hate scratches you should put some protective film. Or just learn to wear it without hitting anything

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[Easy E]

That does not strike me as a laser weld situation. Polishing should handle that, imho.

[Kenny G]

I’d leave it until the watch eventually needs a service. Those don’t look that deep at all and the picture is just magnifying the issue.

[cdmorenot]

The only way I would be able to live with these is by simply start using it daily. Everywhere. Blend these in.

Otherwise, polish! No big chunks missing.

[enjoythemusic]

Leave it, after service in some years it'll look brand new again.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

[Piker]

As much as it isn't a pleasant sight to behold, scratches are signs that it is been worn. I think you shouldn't bother much about it now. Send it in after a few more scratch so all can be polished.

[77T]

An Explorer gets better as it acquires the marks of distinction in the call of duty.

As all have said - leave it for now - that is, until you do one of two things:
1-really bash it up and it needs repair.
2-you eventually send it for service.


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[Jonny8]

Was pretty gutted when I got the first marks on the bezel of my 214270. Not long after I sized it for my wife and she daily’d it for about 6 months. I didn't realise what scratches were until then!

I’d try not to worry too much, they are made to be worn and look pretty cool with a few marks on. I’d much prefer that then baby it / put it in a safe and never really get to fully experience and appreciate it.

[M@2]

The first scratch is always the toughest. I'd wear it and polish it when it needs serviced. These things last a lifetime, ad more scratches will happen.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by FL2024

The other option is to just leave and and live with it. Would you be able to live with something like this or would it worry you?

This is what I'm doing with my BLRO. It gets the most wear and unfortunately this means it's more likely to get the tear. If I fix it I will just scratch it again. It will get a refurb when it is serviced.

You do you. Just bear in mind that you'll never stop scratching it if you wear it and every time you have it polished you are getting a bit less of your watch back.

[omar-rye]

If you’re going to give it to RSC to polish, you might as well try Cape Cod or Sunshine Cloth first. They might do a good enough job to change your mind about sending it in.

[1William]

Just leave it alone and enjoy your watch. At service they will clean it up.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I’m living with worse right now. Just have it polished at your next service.

[brandrea]

Another leave it be

[IGY]

I'd get it polished now given the condition of the watch. However, I baby my watches. If you continue to bang 'em around you may be better off waiting until the next service. But speaking personally this weird scratch pattern would drive me nuts. Good news is that they don't look so deep that you would be looking at welding on fresh material. Just a polish. Personally I'd go RSC, but then if you have someone you know and trust independent of Rolex then I can see why you might go with an indy.

[L_S_SHOE]

Leave it. Chicks dig scars.


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[padi56]

That miniscule mark will be easily polished out at normal routine service time,if you had seen my working tool 16600 SD after 5 years working as a tool watch guess you would of had a heart attack.

[Oxfordian]

Question for the OP.

If you get the watch polished now what happens when the next scratch appears as it surely will?

A watch gets knocked almost daily no matter how careful we are, scratches are an inevitable consequence of wearing a watch, if you have the mindset of not wanting to get your watch scratched then simply don't wear it, leave it in its box, but that begs the question why buy it.

However, my advice is to get out there and wear your watch, you have bought a Rolex, it is a tough watch, a watched designed to be worn, get it on your wrist and enjoy wearing it. When you get it serviced many years in the future you can decide whether to have the scratches polished out and start again.

It's your call OP, in all honesty we cannot help you, we can only offer suggestions based on our use of our watches.

[123Blueface]

It hurts at first but you just have to move on.
Polishing it will fix this one but I assure you, many more to come and you definitely don’t want to be polishing it each time.
No one will know other than you.
Enjoy the watch as is until service time.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

If you’re going to give it to RSC to polish, you might as well try Cape Cod or Sunshine Cloth first. They might do a good enough job to change your mind about sending it in.

Good advice. A little light polish with a Cape Cod cloth will improve it dramatically. You can buy it on Amazon. Good stuff.


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[Brit78]

I'm sorry to hear about the damage to your 214270 Explorer. If the scratches are barely felt with a fingernail, RSC should be able to polish them out without much trouble. I'd recommend taking it to RSC first for their professional assessment.

If the scratches are too deep, they may suggest laser welding, but it's best to have this done through RSC or an authorized Rolex service provider.

[gates]

I'd leave it until service time unless it bugs you too much to see it - just make it your daily driver and the damage will blend in then have it polished at service

[jatco]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

If you’re going to give it to RSC to polish, you might as well try Cape Cod or Sunshine Cloth first. They might do a good enough job to change your mind about sending it in.

I'd go that route 1st..

[Tools]

RS C will not usually just polish although the do refinish the case and bracelet with a full service.

As to these marks, they appear to be repetitive and so you need to assess your wearing habits to know what caused them.

They appear very minimal and would easily be removed with one of the typical jewelers' rouge clothes.

No, you should never think "laser weld" with simple scratches like this. Laser welding is a major operation that requires filling/build up welding, then grinding down to shape and then final polishing

[gerry100]

you are the only one who will notice

[JonnyOld Boy]

If you can locate a fairly local-to-you independent jeweller , they should be able to greatly reduce those using their micro-lathe in seconds, costing not very much , doing pretty much the same thing as the Cape Cod Cloth polishing etc etc
Obviously a reputable jeweller , and not some slack-jawed gawker at the Mall ....

[azhiker54]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

If you’re going to give it to RSC to polish, you might as well try Cape Cod or Sunshine Cloth first. They might do a good enough job to change your mind about sending it in.

I have used the Cape Cod cloth on the clasp of my DJ41 to touch up minor scratches such as you have. It literally took less than 20 secs. to polish it like new.
I was careful to mask up the other surfaces to not polish anything with a brushed finish.

[Bonzalo]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

I’d leave it until the watch eventually needs a service. Those don’t look that deep at all and the picture is just magnifying the issue.

Correct answer

[Seddyspaghetti]

+1 for cape cod if it really bothers you. (It would bother me)

Just make sure you tape up/cover up the surrounding brushed parts or you’ll screw up the brushed finish. No pressure lol