A little frustrated

[rolley7]

I care for my watch, almost to the point of babying it. Yet it comes up with scratches out of thin air. I'm like....how did it get these scratches? You must be kidding...ugh.. . So, my question...if this 904L steel is so strong, why do our watches scratch so easily? Seems any little bump...and another nick shows up on my case. What's up with that? Any encouragement out there? So, yea...I'm a bit frustrated. Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

[Brandon(phila)]

In the beginning they always seem to get many scratches...but over time they really don't get any worse.
Example:
1st month or 2 of wearing you will see many scratches that you don't know how they got there.....but a few years later the watch still looks the same.

I have a 12 year old SD bought BNIB by me back in 2002....I looks about the same as it did after the first few months I owned it...and I considered that my beater at the time.
I have never buffed, polished or anything to that watch. The bezel is still the same and it looks almost new still...so it will hold up over time better than your Timex

So no worries just wear and enjoy

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rolley7

I care for my watch, almost to the point of babying it. Yet it comes up with scratches out of thin air. I'm like....how did it get these scratches? You must be kidding...ugh.. . So, my question...if this 904L steel is so strong, why do our watches scratch so easily? Seems any little bump...and another nick shows up on my case. What's up with that? Any encouragement out there? So, yea...I'm a bit frustrated. Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

Give up and send your watch to me, I promise to take care of it

[Fiery]

My understanding is that 904L is superior (to 316L) in corrosion resistance, not scratch resistance. To your issue: stop looking at scratches, and just enjoy wearing your watch. Or, intentionally bump it a few times against the wall, the doorknob, the desk, the floor (etc), and after that you won't worry about small scratches anymore :)

[watchwatcher]

Scratches definitely do happen, even to the most careful wearers. So what's the alternative? Not wearing them.

I think I'll take the scratches.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Brandon(phila)

In the beginning they always seem to get many scratches...but over time they really don't get any worse.
Example:
1st month or 2 of wearing you will see many scratches that you don't know how they got there.....but a few years later the watch still looks the same.

I have a 12 year old SD bought BNIB by me back in 2002....I looks about the same as it did after the first few months I owned it...and I considered that my beater at the time.
I have never buffed, polished or anything to that watch. The bezel is still the same and it looks almost new still...so it will hold up over time better than your Timex

So no worries just wear and enjoy

^^^^^^ X2 ^^^^^^ So very true

[Kyu]

think scratches are bad,
i have chips in mine and i have absolute no idea how LOL

[azguy]

Life's short, wear your watches hard

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by Kyu

think scratches are bad,
i have chips in mine and i have absolute no idea how LOL

Diamond "chips" don't count silly

[AK797]

I have scratches on my gold AP so my heart ain't bleeding for you, pal

[Babolat]

Wear it and enjoy it - don't worry about scratches - it's going to happen regardless

[Frosty]

It still amazes me that a desk can mar the steel clasp and bracelet?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by rolley7

. . . Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

It isn't.

Your wristwatch is no more resistant from scratches than your belt buckle.. You probably have shiny center links and obsess a bit too much over them..

[77T]

Scratches don't discriminate. Rolex - Timex - Folex - you name it and it's been scratched.

Best get used to it

[doubleinfive]

Water resistant, sure. Shock resistant, perhaps. Anti-magnetic, why not. Scratch resistant, dream on...

[Baco Noir]

Buy a tegminted Sinn or a Damasko - both have cases that have been surface hardened and are hard to scratch.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by rolley7

Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

It isn't.

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

Diamond "chips" don't count silly

[ltmgeller]

Scratches add character.

[Psmith]

Try to look at scratches as being a good thing

I have a hard time 'babying' something made of stainless steel. Heck, my steel cutlery and other items still look good after years of being tossed in the dishwasher and drawer...

[superdog]

Never cared much about scratches.

One time I scraped my PP. Like three lines of a deep scrape. That bothered me. Couldn't even wear it.

Other scratches of any kind. Not so much.

[Armyguy03]

Not too much to worry about. Revel in the fact that your in a position to afford such luxury and count ya blessinga

[Sublover2166]

Gold polished center links attract scratches worse than 904L steel. When I received my Bluesy back from Rikki it looked like the day I bought it. No less than a week of wearing it, the fine scratches and swirls just appeared like magic on the bracelet! And I had not banged it or scraped it on anything!

[Riva14]

Originally Posted by superdog

Never cared much about scratches.

One time I scraped my PP. Like three lines of a deep scrape. That bothered me. Couldn't even wear it.

Other scratches of any kind. Not so much.

that would be a nightmare especially if it was precious metal!
I have two dings on my sub and one on the top edge of the case that drives me nuts! Ill get over it eventually. I bought the watch to wear it not to keep it in perfect condition. In the end ill die and my kids will probably get it! Not worth sweating over!

[submariner66]

Originally Posted by rolley7

I care for my watch, almost to the point of babying it. Yet it comes up with scratches out of thin air. I'm like....how did it get these scratches? You must be kidding...ugh.. . So, my question...if this 904L steel is so strong, why do our watches scratch so easily? Seems any little bump...and another nick shows up on my case. What's up with that? Any encouragement out there? So, yea...I'm a bit frustrated. Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

They come too perfect and shiny looking out of the dealer's case. The first thing that struck me when I saw Rolex's in the case was how perfect they were and how strange they looked, almost fake looking. I was used to seeing a kind of buffed out or distressed stainless steel. I think they can actually look a little better scuffed and worn in gently. They're too perfect mirror finish out of the box. Just maintain them with cleaning and a light hand polish every now and then. 5 year service and you'll be happy with it.

[crowncollection]

they are inevitable don't stress

[BonitaBeast]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Gold polished center links attract scratches worse than 904L steel. When I received my Bluesy back from Rikki it looked like the day I bought it. No less than a week of wearing it, the fine scratches and swirls just appeared like magic on the bracelet! And I had not banged it or scraped it on anything!

I learned this fairly quickly back when I first got my RG Dayt. Within less than a month of ownership, one of my PCLs had a run in with a PLASTIC desk chair.
A few weeks after, I just accepted it and told myself it's part of ownership and gives watches their character. I shouldn't lose sleep over it....

[Annan]

Originally Posted by rolley7

I care for my watch, almost to the point of babying it. Yet it comes up with scratches out of thin air. I'm like....how did it get these scratches? You must be kidding...ugh.. . So, my question...if this 904L steel is so strong, why do our watches scratch so easily? Seems any little bump...and another nick shows up on my case. What's up with that? Any encouragement out there? So, yea...I'm a bit frustrated. Seems like my Rolex isn't any more resistant to scratches than my Timex.

Quite true....scratches seemingly come out of thin air. I don't baby my watches but I am careful with them. My new GMTII-C is only two weeks old but in certain lighting I see a number of very fine lines on the polished areas. Chances are good some were already there despite the fact the watch was brand new and I am just now seeing them. It still looks great however and I'm just living with it. I wear my GMT 24/7 so for all I know scratches come from any and everything my watch contacts, basically life itself.

As for the quality of 904L, I'm sure that's not an implication that the material is scratch resistant rather, that it is simply longer wearing and more resistant to damage than a lesser grade might be.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Riva14

that would be a nightmare especially if it was precious metal!
I have two dings on my sub and one on the top edge of the case that drives me nuts! Ill get over it eventually. I bought the watch to wear it not to keep it in perfect condition. In the end ill die and my kids will probably get it! Not worth sweating over!

agree completely. this is why the PP is gone and a few pieces have replaced it.

i like my watches to be fun. not fun when you worry about them.

i do not worry about my rolex watches. even the DD2 for some reason. but the SS PP, had me all in sweats. a totally stunning watch that i hope to get back someday. but for me rolex = no worries. love that about the brand.

[Seaswirl]

There comes a point in time when you stop caring. I was mortified when I scratched the clasp on my late two tone sub during the first week of ownership, but by year 11, I was beating the hell out of it. Now that I've just picked up a new watch, however, I'm back in the constant paranoia phase. Part of me is hoping for a quick nasty scratch, but not too nasty, so I can just get over it and start using my left arm again!