Celebrating the character of imperfections

[Henrimontgomery]

So after the episode where some user felt cheated by his Rolex and its molecular imperfection, I took some pictures of my 17013 and found quite a few defects.

They did, however, not bother me, as sharp brushed metal, even dinged and scratched, looks excellent and interesting to me.

I let you be the judges.

[Avs Fan]

Looks just fine to me!

[101031-28]

Amazing photos and details! Beautiful Oysterquartz BTW

[Henrimontgomery]

Polish, sag, rust, those are the only things I don’t like in a watch. The rest is fair game and I’m struggling to find vintage models from kindered spirits owners!

[cop414]

Hans would definitely give you a positive nod!

[HogwldFLTR]

I love things neat and orderly. Imperfections always bother me. For my living I do a lot of Scanning Electron Micrography and measurements (frequently 100K to 250K magnification). Everything I look at is imperfect. That said a new watch is a thing of beauty and can be pristine to the naked eye. This is the way it should be. As I said everything has defect under extreme magnification.

Familiarity and use though make our possessions ours. A brand new baseball glove is pretty much useless. It has to be broken in to make it really an extension of the owner. Watches that remain in perfect shape similarly and simply aren't really ours. They can be sold as unused and never really become the owner's until they are worn and individualized. (I remember that scratch, I was working on the house during the Covid 19 crisis when it happened.) I say use makes our watches different and truly our. Viva la difference!!!

[jrbar-on]

Great photos and imperfections always add character and can even make for a good story! Some people here are WAY to concerned about every scratch, ding, and nick and IMHO don't know how to appreciate a watch.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[spacedinvader]

Lovely. The Japanese have a phrase for it don’t they (of course)? Wabi sabi.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by spacedinvader

Lovely. The Japanese have a phrase for it don’t they (of course)? Wabi sabi.

Goes well with sushi, too!!!

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I love things neat and orderly. Imperfections always bother me. For my living I do a lot of Scanning Electron Micrography and measurements (frequently 100K to 250K magnification). Everything I look at is imperfect.

What's the most perfect thing you've seen then ?

Originally Posted by jrbar-on

Great photos and imperfections always add character and can even make for a good story! Some people here are WAY to concerned about every scratch, ding, and nick and IMHO don't know how to appreciate a watch.

I am guilty of this! Actually when younger, I would loathe scratching my phone screen or "damaging" something while using it. Me getting a watch in such state is very therapeutic, even though I must admit to sometimes pause and wonder "was this scratch already there?". Well, it's a process.

Originally Posted by spacedinvader

Lovely. The Japanese have a phrase for it don’t they (of course)? Wabi sabi.

Funfact, wabi sabi is not a japanese term, but something western culture has created. Well, not so sure about this, but I remember telling wabi-sabi to my friend during her phd in ancient japanese, and wasn't pleased.

[Ranger67]

As an ex precision engineer imperfections tend to bug me, off topic my biggest bug bear is seeing a very expensive new car with the number plate lying at an angle.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

So after the episode where some user felt cheated by his Rolex and its molecular imperfection, I took some pictures of my 17013 and found quite a few defects.

They did, however, not bother me, as sharp brushed metal, even dinged and scratched, looks excellent and interesting to me.

I let you be the judges.

Yes. That 'now closed' post was quite the fun read.

But I do feel really sorry for that OP. He seemed very distraught.

Henrimontgomery, your photos are great. Just shows how a watch is meant to be used, and accumulate its own history. Something to be passed along to future generations.

"If ya got 'em, wear 'em."

[spacedinvader]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Goes well with sushi, too!!!

Hehe..I’d actually never noticed that similarity. I’m going to incorporate that into my hilarious joke repertoire. Thanks.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Ranger67

As an ex precision engineer imperfections tend to bug me, off topic my biggest bug bear is seeing a very expensive new car with the number plate lying at an angle.

You must love Alfas then!

[socialpro]

Great detail on the watch. Love the character the imperfections bring. What fun would it be to live in a world where everything is surgically the same everywhere and every time

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

So after the episode where some user felt cheated by his Rolex and its molecular imperfection, I took some pictures of my 17013 and found quite a few defects.

They did, however, not bother me, as sharp brushed metal, even dinged and scratched, looks excellent and interesting to me.

I let you be the judges.

Love the OQ..
.
Is that 'new' (mfgr defect) from what the AD claims.....?

[Ranger67]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

You must love Alfas then!

The design department must have said “oh we forgot it needed a number plate, no worries stick it there and no one will notice”

[Rushhour]

This is a great thread and very timely for me.

I was txting my son yesterday and he was sending me pictures of his new Sub and me replying with my Milgauss. We were doing different vantage points with beers (you should be able to figure out where this is going) and it became a minor competition.

Well I am going to tell you right now - stupidity knows no age limit.

I thought hell, I can’t get the light right but “if” I put on the new stone step wrapped around a Stella can, the light should be perfect. And it was except, I should have put something below the watch to protect it and even though I was extremely careful putting it down - damn if I didn’t hit the can after taking the picture and move it.

Yep - nice deep scratch - like I said stupidity has no age limit - I’m 65 and STUPID! I admit it!

But that said I looked at the scratch and said well when I give this watch to my future grandson or granddaughter - I can point to that scratch and say that was because grandpa was trying to up your dad and failed, and my son will be there to confirm!

When I originally got the watch I freaked over every surface scratch - I got over it. But this nice scratch I can at least tell my future grand kid(s) it has a story.

The main picture is in the “Where you are Wednesday or Thursday” thread, prior to said scratch being inflicted.

Steve


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