Does your Rolex have an "Achilles' heel"?

[t60]

I have a Sub C and an Explorer, both great watches, but the biggest thing I hate on both is the clasp. I got the Explorer only a few months ago and have been wearing it ~daily, but the clasp got a scuff (no idea how) on it on week 2 with no other damage since then.

Same with my Sub C. I have a few other watches with a metal clasp that don't scratch nearly as bad.

I understand I could literally just brush it off but it seems silly that these clasps are so fragile. I'll keep wearing/enjoying it, but just my only gripe about the watches.

[sunnylab]

My DJ41 two tone is about a month old and the clasp looks like its a 1980's beater. Terrible design for durability and I'm surprised there aren't more threads on this.

[Ten Ten & 32]

It’s a bummer when you scratch up a new watch I must admit but Part of the journey I’m afraid

I don’t think Rolex clasps scratch any worse than any other brand tbh

They are meant to be worn don’t stress about it, just enjoy your growing collection


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[sunnylab]

Its the strip of polished shiny finish in the middle...not the brushed edges.

[EEpro]

Yeah the clasp. They could do a hidden clasp with microadjust like my VC. The daydate hidden clasp is amazing.

[prnceofpersia23]

Rolex uses 904L steel everywhere but the clasp, which is 903L, designed to scratch and piss you off. /s

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Rolex uses 904L steel everywhere but the clasp, which is 903L, designed to scratch and piss you off. /s

Makes sense. This way you’ll want to upgrade to the newest model every year

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by t60

I have a Sub C and an Explorer, both great watches, but the biggest thing I hate on both is the clasp. I got the Explorer only a few months ago and have been wearing it ~daily, but the clasp got a scuff (no idea how) on it on week 2 with no other damage since then.

Same with my Sub C. I have a few other watches with a metal clasp that don't scratch nearly as bad.

I understand I could literally just brush it off but it seems silly that these clasps are so fragile. I'll keep wearing/enjoying it, but just my only gripe about the watches.

The fact that the shiny flat surface on the clasp shows hairlines and marks does not make the clasp fragile. All watches with flat surfaces will mark when impacted by something metal. Door hinges love watches. Never casually buff the PCL and only clean it with warm soapy water. It's the rubbing of the PCL which puts so many of the marks on it. Lots of grit lurking everywhere.

[Chewbacca]

Which one?

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by sunnylab

Its the strip of polished shiny finish in the middle...not the brushed edges.

A small piece of 3M clear tape, pretty much invisible, has been on mine since I brought it home from the AD eighteen months ago...no scratches.

Ben

[Old Expat Beast]

Seems like 904L steel (AKA Oystersteel) is an Achilles Heel in the sense that it's the one weak point that many find irritating or troubling. That's to say it's softer than 316 so picks up those dreaded scratches much more easily.

[Liams]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Makes sense. This way you’ll want to upgrade to the newest model every year

Every year????

[brandrea]

I’d say for me it might be the lack of AR coating on some references.

[IamJacky]

For me, I know Datejusts are less sporty, but sometimes I wish they also come with the Oysterlock safety lock clasp.

[Reikolexguy]

It’s only visible at certain angles, but this part of the clasp is probably where the first scuffs / scratches occur and accumulate.

Especially if you do desk work / are eating and your wrist is flat on the table.


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[Filipão]

Lack of AR on the last true SD (116600)

[douglasf13]

Subs and Explorers are made to be beat to heck in rough conditions without concern over scratching. Embrace it, and just get it brushed at service time, if you want.

[Pinpoint]

You'll never leave the house with the watch if you focus on those shiny surfaces.

[thefollandgnat]

Complaining about scratches on a bracelet is like complaining that the champagne gets drunk at your wedding.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Seems like 904L steel (AKA Oystersteel) is an Achilles Heel in the sense that it's the one weak point that many find irritating or troubling. That's to say it's softer than 316 so picks up those dreaded scratches much more easily.

I should perhaps add that I'm not personally bothered by scratches, but a fair percentage of posters here do seem to be.

[SixBells]

I find the later clasps to be much more substantial.

[Thomas Brown]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Rolex uses 904L steel everywhere but the clasp, which is 903L, designed to scratch and piss you off. /s

Haha yeah true..

[DJ2020]

The polished surfaces of any watch WILL show scratches. Some areas of a watch are much more prone to this. Especially the clasp. On a Rolex not only is it polished it's also a large area. And a area that is most likely to be scratched.

So the new shinny watch you just purchased will take no time at all to receive a mark of ownership.

My question is, Why not just offer the clasp fully brushed to begin with? Or make a smaller clasp option? Or both. They could also make the polished area recessed and protrude the brushed area. That would help as well.

[PBJ1925]

I'd like a Glidelock option on any/all sport models.

[amh]

Yes - it's made of stainless steel. This material so versatile it has become literally more valuable than Gold in recent times!
- Takes a good polish easily
- Is indistinguishable from "White Gold"
- More durable than Gold
- Far less expensive to produce/manufacture than Gold

Ounce-for-ounce SS models in many cases sell for more than their gold counter parts (example: price for SS BNIB GMT BLNR is virtually the same as BNIB GMT TT CHNR)

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by PBJ1925

I'd like a Glidelock option on any/all sport models.

Same... The Daytona really needs a glidelock.

[patreyus]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Yeah the clasp. They could do a hidden clasp with microadjust like my VC. The daydate hidden clasp is amazing.

I agree microadjust would be a killer add!!

[Meyrin]

I suspect most would consider the jingly-jangly bracelet, "cheap" stamped clasp and lack of a glide lock on my 1996 14060 Submariner to be its "Achilles heel". But no, I love the old 93150 bracelet, so comfy, never a problem in all these years of everyday wearing. No, it´s the dead-as-a dodo tritium lume that irks me. I do get slightly upset when seeing some of the quite spectacular lume shots on newer models posted here and elsewhere!

[douglasf13]

Since my 114270 already has an AR crystal, the one thing I’d change would be the lack of lume on the 3-6-9, but it’s so minor to me it’s barely worth mentioning.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

I suspect most would consider the jingly-jangly bracelet, "cheap" stamped clasp and lack of a glide lock on my 1996 14060 Submariner to be its "Achilles heel". But no, I love the old 93150 bracelet, so comfy, never a problem in all these years of everyday wearing. No, it´s the dead-as-a dodo tritium lume that irks me. I do get slightly upset when seeing some of the quite spectacular lume shots on newer models posted here and elsewhere!

I even love more the 9315 from the 4 digits Sub/SD, only the ratling might be slightly annoying.

My 14060M 2 liner has the best of both worlds, for me a tool watch must have glowing lume.