Expertise needed: 2012 Explorer 2 refinish or replace clasp

[FL2024]

I would love some input and opinions on this. As you can see this exp 2 has been well worn and enjoyed for more than 10 years! Even with a non-PCL model, the clasp is in rough shape mainly due to desk diving amongst other things. I feel it’s time that enough scratches have accumulated and I want to do something about it at service in the very near future. Would you have this rebrushed/polished during service or would is it best to replace the clasp/bracelet with a brand new one? New bracelet will be expensive but if it’s too scratched up to be refinished without altering the look I’m willing to pay for a new one. With this level of wear could I refinish be done without altering the original factory look/definition. Easily polished out or too deep? What do you think?

Thanks.

[FL2024]

also

[dba]

That's nothing. Wait until it's serviced. There's no need for a new clasp or bracelet.

[ErichKeane]

?That should refinish out quite easily, but frankly, on a sportswatch, I'd just wear it. If you use the RSC at your next service, they'll touch it up anyway.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Let the RSC polish it, you can always replace it later if you feel compelled.

[FL2024]

agreed but to a certain extent

[omar10213245]

RSC can easily make that clasp look like new, no need to replace it.

[CarlOver]

RSC refinish is the way to go.

[Mr. Superlative]

That doesn’t need replacing. A polish at the service will restore that to looking like it did when it left the factory.

[travisb]

That should look new again after a professional polish.

[Harry-57]

I don't see much wrong with that but Rolex will refurbish it if required. As already stated, it probably wouldn't take much to get it looking mint.

[1William]

Get Rolex to polish it and it will look new for another ten years.

[brandrea]

Polish away

[padi56]

Originally Posted by FL2024

I would love some input and opinions on this. As you can see this exp 2 has been well worn and enjoyed for more than 10 years! Even with a non-PCL model, the clasp is in rough shape mainly due to desk diving amongst other things. I feel it’s time that enough scratches have accumulated and I want to do something about it at service in the very near future. Would you have this rebrushed/polished during service or would is it best to replace the clasp/bracelet with a brand new one? New bracelet will be expensive but if it’s too scratched up to be refinished without altering the look I’m willing to pay for a new one. With this level of wear could I refinish be done without altering the original factory look/definition. Easily polished out or too deep? What do you think?

Thanks.

Those tiny scratches on clasp are so miniscule easily rectified at normal routine RSC service.If you had seen my own working tool 16600 SD after 5 long years working as a real working tool underwater think you would of had a heart attack.

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by FL2024

I would love some input and opinions on this. As you can see this exp 2 has been well worn and enjoyed for more than 10 years! Even with a non-PCL model, the clasp is in rough shape mainly due to desk diving amongst other things. I feel it’s time that enough scratches have accumulated and I want to do something about it at service in the very near future. Would you have this rebrushed/polished during service or would is it best to replace the clasp/bracelet with a brand new one? New bracelet will be expensive but if it’s too scratched up to be refinished without altering the look I’m willing to pay for a new one. With this level of wear could I refinish be done without altering the original factory look/definition. Easily polished out or too deep? What do you think?

Thanks.

Update: I went to a reputable watchmaker in south florida. He said to me that he did not recommend polishing because the clasp is already “too worn down”.

I have a hard to understanding this because I do not see any indication of “worn down”, only heavily scratched. He said polishing would change the shape. In my ownership it has never been polished before.

Now I’m torn whether to replace the whole clasp/bracelet or disregard what he said and polish it. What I don’t want is a grinded down “used bar of soap-like” clasp.

[consumerignorance]

Why fix it? Tools collect wear. Would you refinish your favorite hammer? If the wear isn’t affecting its functionality, leave it. Just my $0.02

[123Blueface]

That is nothing that can’t be easily polished. No need to replace.

[ErichKeane]

That sounds like he is too lazy to do it right. And wants to just use the polishing wheel. You can definitely keep the shape/ not round it over. It just takes less aggressive tools.

[Roddypeepa]

Just seen old ish thread but no don’t that can be made good for next 12 years or so before needing replacement. Good to see it being worn


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[0nly5iv3Digits]

Polish and re-brush. Done.

[richardlo]

Originally Posted by FL2024

Update: I went to a reputable watchmaker in south florida. He said to me that he did not recommend polishing because the clasp is already “too worn down”.

I have a hard to understanding this because I do not see any indication of “worn down”, only heavily scratched. He said polishing would change the shape. In my ownership it has never been polished before.

Now I’m torn whether to replace the whole clasp/bracelet or disregard what he said and polish it. What I don’t want is a grinded down “used bar of soap-like” clasp.

Take it somewhere else. Doesnt sound like he knows what he is doing and may make you more disappointed once he is done.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by FL2024

also

you should see mine; that looks brand new

[gerry100]

forget about it

[JAJ2349]

I would leave as is.
I’m a bit of a weirdo as I would never polish a watch.

[Zach69SS]

I have seen allot worse and they have come back new, send it in to RSC when you decide to service the watch, once it is returned to you can decide on the clasp and bracelet, it will be new again. I don’t know where you are in Florida? There are watchmakers and there are parts chargers. I’ve never heard of a clasp being to worn out? Of course it’s easier to replace than polish it.

You can safely polish a Rolex 4 times in its lifetime as long as it is done by a professional.

Service it and then decide. That’s what I would do.

Cheers,

[Cassian739]

Should be easy to polish clasp as part of regular service. You can send to RSC, use a local AD, or go to Rolliworks in FL if all you want just the clasp polished. Rolliworks is highly recommended on TRF.

Note a local AD with an authorized service center onsite will likely do the service and polishing at their location. You might want to consider sending to RSC.

[gerry100]

that surface will be scratched again quickly with normal wear.

IMHO, no point in doing anything

[Jackie Daytona]

I believe a green scotch brite pad would take those out easily enough. They don’t look to be very deep at all or bad.