Pride in Scratches!

[explodingtaco]

Appologies first: I don't have a camera good enoug to get the scratches on 'film.'

Now to scratches/case damage:

I finally scratched my Speedmaster Pro's case! Actually more of a ding, and I like it. I have always liked the extra character of the watch being MINE. Funny thing is my '69 Tudor still does not have a ding or scratch (seems the high crystal keeps it safe).

Anyone else take pride in their watch damage?

[sutats]

Hi Mr. Taco, there's plenty of folk at the PICTURE THREAD: Show off your "character", :): http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=493417

[ShoreGuy]

I take pride in all the dings in my nearly 30 year old SS OP, one of the reasons why I have never gotten it serviced!

The dings, scratches, nicks are on the case, crystal, bezel, bracelet and clasp.
If I ever got it serviced, I would not be sure they would follow my instructions not to remove them.

[Randy63]

Not me. When it comes to scratches and dings, the less the better.

Randy

[roaddog359]

If you take pride in scratches you got more money and care less than I do.

[Cabernet]

I never rejoice at even a tiny scratch...

[yukosaturno]

yes i do! it tells stories the watch's been through with me!

well, i wrote my own story with it already,and i like it.

since i paid a good price for it,and i don't consider selling it for various reasons,i will just polish it one more time when i get enough scratches and it needs a service.

BUT,i'll say i wouldn't like to have scratched my calatrava,my corum admirals or the daytona zenith,but since the sub is my tool/work/sports/beater,i like it!

[yukosaturno]

yes i do! it tells stories the watch's been through with me!

well, i wrote my own story with it already,and i like it.

since i paid a good price for it,and i don't consider selling it for various reasons,i will just polish it one more time when i get enough scratches and it needs a service.

BUT,i'll say i wouldn't like to have scratched my calatrava,my corum admirals or the daytona zenith,but since the sub is my tool/work/sports/beater,i like it!

[S52]

Yep my daily "beater" is my GMT Pepsi,

Has plenty of scratches, dings and nicks... and I love it!
When I first got the watch it was mint, and the first few scrapes and scratches really stressed me out. Eventually I gave up worrying and it was incredibly liberating...
The watch is on my wrist every day, has been around the world, and on a couple of combat deployments.

When it goes in for service I specifically state no polish/cleaning.

When my number comes up the watch will likely be passed along in my family, and will have all the battle scars to represent the life it lived with me.

I will admit the other watches in my collection live much more sheltered lives stored away... and I will avoid wearing them in daily situations or doing activities where dings and scratches are a distinct possibility!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Cabernet

I never rejoice at even a tiny scratch...

Don't rejoice neither, but not a big issue neither


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ec51]

Originally Posted by roaddog359

If you take pride in scratches you got more money and care less than I do.

Wow. This is certainly an overstatement...


Just because you pride in actually wearing your watch and using it...doesn't necessarily mean you care less than others (or have more money....?).

I take care of my watch and of course, try to avoid scratching it. But the truth is...when it comes to actually wearing your watch, it will get scratched. Unless you bubble wrap it...or cover the clasp in scotch tape (I've seen it....looks horrible IMHO, but some do it and rather sacrifice the look of the watch in an attempt to avoid the inevitable).

I don't by any means, baby my watch. It is well worn and goes everywhere I do. But I don't polish the case at the mere sight of some scratches.

I enjoy the watch rather than obsess over what will happen regardless.

Life is too short.

Plus...when it comes to service time, it will come back looking brand new.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by roaddog359

If you take pride in scratches you got more money and care less than I do.

I'm sure my wife does....

[daveathall]

Some people look scratches on a watch and think, "that watch has got character," I look at scratches on a watch and think, "Thats a scratched watch."

If anyone prefers a watch with character, when you buy a brand new one, give me a call and I will trade one for one, apparently, my watch has got loads of character.

[fania123]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Some people look scratches on a watch and think, "that watch has got character," I look at scratches on a watch and think, "Thats a scratched watch."

If anyone prefers a watch with character, when you buy a brand new one, give me a call and I will trade one for one, apparently, my watch has got loads of character.

[jrs146]

I would not go so far as to say I take pride in the scratches... but each time they happen... and they ALWAY do happen... I remind myself it's just a watch and the only way to keep them scratch free is not to wear them. And what's the fun in that?

[phillycheez]

I don't think anyone prefers a watch with scratches.. .

I think the general consensus is... Stop being ocd about it.

When speaking of modern watches when they go get serviced they come out looking brand new.

Scratches are inevitable..

If they bother you, buy a vintage watch. You will feel less ocd about it. That's what I loved about owning vintage Tudors and Rolex's.. Darn I hit it on a door jam... Check watch... Can't even tell what scratch is new.

[REFZ]

I'm not pride about the scratches on my watches but wearing them daily the scratches are inevitable nevertheless how careful you are wearing the watch.

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

I'm sure my wife does....

I think there are some members who just had heart attacks seeing that

[REFZ]

It looks like a wrapped hotel drinking cup so this is only the jewelry she was wearing during that trip, I think it could be worse.

[Justinmg]

Originally Posted by S52

Yep my daily "beater" is my GMT Pepsi,

Has plenty of scratches, dings and nicks... and I love it!
When I first got the watch it was mint, and the first few scrapes and scratches really stressed me out. Eventually I gave up worrying and it was incredibly liberating...
The watch is on my wrist every day, has been around the world, and on a couple of combat deployments.

When it goes in for service I specifically state no polish/cleaning.

When my number comes up the watch will likely be passed along in my family, and will have all the battle scars to represent the life it lived with me.

I will admit the other watches in my collection live much more sheltered lives stored away... and I will avoid wearing them in daily situations or doing activities where dings and scratches are a distinct possibility!

Great picture, thanks for your service

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Some people look scratches on a watch and think, "that watch has got character," I look at scratches on a watch and think, "Thats a scratched watch."

If anyone prefers a watch with character, when you buy a brand new one, give me a call and I will trade one for one, apparently, my watch has got loads of character.

Hahaha

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Some people look scratches on a watch and think, "that watch has got character," I look at scratches on a watch and think, "Thats a scratched watch."

If anyone prefers a watch with character, when you buy a brand new one, give me a call and I will trade one for one, apparently, my watch has got loads of character.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Cabernet

I never rejoice at even a tiny scratch...

Right on ...

Scratches are horrible ... nothing awesome about
banging up your $10K plus watch ... especially if
someone else does it like my BLNR got dinged up
by a physical therapist!!!

[douglasf13]

The thought of buying a sports model Rolex and worrying about scratches makes me cringe a bit. We're in an odd time where people want to look like adventurers, with a Submariner, a Land Rover, and a Pendleton blanket to keep warm, but it seems that some spend too much money on the stuff to actually enjoy using it.

Case in point, I recently acquired a vehicle for spending more time in the mountains, and, while I could have purchased something like a Land Rover, I knew I would be worried about banging it up, so I just bought a relatively inexpensive Jeep, and I don't worry about it at all. I could technically afford to buy something nicer, but it would make me miserable worrying about it, so I don't feel like I could really afford it. If my income quadrupled, I'd probably drive a Land Rover through a tornado without a care in the world.

A well worn Rolex, Leica, guitar, etc., just shows it's being enjoyed and used, rather than collected.

[Pix]

That's why I buy preowned, Watches, cars, Harleys, etc...i have enough to worry about with 3 son's in dangerous jobs, 1 is on a nuke sub, 1 is a highway patrol officer (former marine) the last is on a attack carrier as a firefighter...a scratch on any of my watches, cars or Harleys is no big deal.

[Rolex fan 61]

The first scratch is the hardest to bear!!!!

[slide13]

I hate silly scratches, like from sloppy bracelet removal, but scratches and dings that happen from living your life with your watch don't bother me...as long as they're mine. My ideal is to start with a mint watch, put it on and not overly worry about it. In ten years it'll have scratches, nicks and dings as evidence of a life lived with that watch and that is great.

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't like scratches, but I've been on the planet long enough to know that if you use something, it's going to show wear and if you don't accept that, you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment and heartache.

It's better to just accept reality and carry on.

I do agree that a dinged and scratched watch shows character that might only be meaningful to the original owner.

In the Corps we always took pride in some "salt" on our gear and I still feel that way.

Right now, I'm appreciating the near pristine condition of my BB36, but I know what the future holds and I'm good with that.

As for polishing, my heirs can worry about that.

[The Libertine]

Very true; wear it, enjoy it, and don't sweat the small stuff!

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Some people look scratches on a watch and think, "that watch has got character," I look at scratches on a watch and think, "Thats a scratched watch."

If anyone prefers a watch with character, when you buy a brand new one, give me a call and I will trade one for one, apparently, my watch has got loads of character.

I couldn't agree with you more Dave. I can never wrap my mind around the concept that scratches add character.
I doubt that many people would feel good about a scratched or dinged up car or computer or phone or any number of other products. What makes an expensive watch any different?
Enough said about this I guess as I've expressed my opinion many times before.