Two tone woes.. Any with similar experiences?

[angus]

I just bought my dad a 16613 two tone submariner. This was the first rolex that he owned and thinking that it was a "sport" model, (as bragged by me, on second thoughts, I really regretted that) he put the watch to "rough" test.

During the past few days I was away, he did everything youy could imagine with the watch, and guess what, the gold centre piece bracelet is full of scratches!!!

My dad seemed rather pissed of with rolex and ask me to bring him to see the AD. I knew I could not do that since no one in the right mind will submit any two tone models to such extremes. Another thing which made him really sore was the softeness of the 18k gold bracelet. He wears the watch on the right hand and he is a right hander. He has to write a lot as he does all of the paper work for me in my office. After just one day, he claims that just the slight movement of the bracelet brushing aganst the wooden desk which he writes on, can leave fine scratches on the bracelet.

Listening to his story I was quite angry initially and finally baffled and astonished at the softness of the two tone bracelet. I'm glad that I wear the watch on my left hand and there aren't any scratches on mine yet

Now, I need to sort out the scratches on his watches. Its really frustrating to have spent close to $10k on a watch and having it "repaired" a few days later. What can I do now to get ride on the scratches. As for two tone bracelet, how should we really protect it from the scratches? I'm feeling a little bit stressed whenever I pull up my long sleeves to expose the watch, since I do not want it to be scratched.

I think I need lots of help.

thanks
angus

[sinbad]

Most watches will show wear with normal use. Unless the case and strap are made of ceramic or similar materials, fine scratches are bound to happen. Even though I am careful with my LV, it already shows some wear. My bright polished Breitling shows even more wear. One thing nice about both Rolex and Breitling is that case and strap are made of solid material and not plated. Therefore, an AD - jeweler - service center can polish the watch and bracelet to often "like new" condition. Either you can have your Dad continue wearing the watch the same way and remove the scratches during normal service OR get the watch polished now and have him be a little more careful. Personally, I would want my Dad to wear watch regularly and enjoy it knowing you can polish it anytime. My Dad usually only wears the watches I buy him on special occasions. I wished he wore them all the time as I would be happy to get him another one when needed.

[diablojota]

My mom and I bought my dad a TT Sub Blue for his retirement gift. He's picked up some scratches on it through normal wear, but he wears it and loves it. The gold is a bit softer than the stainless so it will pick up scratches a bit easier. However, once the watch gets serviced it'll look as good as new.
I don't know what a trip to the AD will warrant you. All watches will get scratches through use and abuse. While the Sub is a sport watch that is quite rugged, it will not take a licking and still look new. No watch will.

[GerardoG]

It is part of the 'character' of the watch. I gave my dad a DayDate (YG) which is now full of scratches; he is not 'into' watches so the DD goes in his 'watch drawer' with other timepieces. I would say: enjoy the watch; I used to panic when I got a scratch on mine, but I understood that life is short and is to be LIVED.

[Blue Bull]

18ct gold is soft.Its softer than steel.Especially on a shiny gold surface tike on the TT Sub,scratches will be noticed.I have owned mine for 4 months now and wear it to work.I can find many sratches when I look for them.

18ct gold is soft.

Wear the watch and enjoy it.When the time comes,have it serviced and polished...

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by angus

I just bought my dad a 16613 two tone submariner. This was the first rolex that he owned and thinking that it was a "sport" model, (as bragged by me, on second thoughts, I really regretted that) he put the watch to "rough" test.

During the past few days I was away, he did everything youy could imagine with the watch, and guess what, the gold centre piece bracelet is full of scratches!!!

My dad seemed rather pissed of with rolex and ask me to bring him to see the AD. I knew I could not do that since no one in the right mind will submit any two tone models to such extremes. Another thing which made him really sore was the softeness of the 18k gold bracelet. He wears the watch on the right hand and he is a right hander. He has to write a lot as he does all of the paper work for me in my office. After just one day, he claims that just the slight movement of the bracelet brushing aganst the wooden desk which he writes on, can leave fine scratches on the bracelet.

Listening to his story I was quite angry initially and finally baffled and astonished at the softness of the two tone bracelet. I'm glad that I wear the watch on my left hand and there aren't any scratches on mine yet

Now, I need to sort out the scratches on his watches. Its really frustrating to have spent close to $10k on a watch and having it "repaired" a few days later. What can I do now to get ride on the scratches. As for two tone bracelet, how should we really protect it from the scratches? I'm feeling a little bit stressed whenever I pull up my long sleeves to expose the watch, since I do not want it to be scratched.

I think I need lots of help.

thanks
angus

What can I say, Angus. It makes my heart bleed to read such a sad tale of woe!!

In short: wrong watch on the wrong person!! You should have got your dad the FULL STEEL 16610 model and he would have been a happy man....and so would you....and so would all of us here!!

Gold is a polished surface and will pick up scraches. In fact, any polished surface, even steel, will attract scratches....so I guess there's nothing you can do but take it back to your AD and have the whole thing buffed out.

But what's the use? The scratches are only going to come back!!

Alternatively, you keep the watch and get your dad something in full brushed steel.

Good luck - JJ

[Kris]

Other than cost, this is the big reason why I didn't choose a TT Rolex. The other would be stretching of the bracelet.

I was at my AD a few weeks back and asked to see the TT Blue Sub. The watch was brand new and the bracelet already had a few slight scuffs on it from handling.

As for polishing it, what are you going to do? Have the bracelet brushed every few months? Everytime you get that watch polished, some gold is lost in the polishing process.

The clasp part of the watch isn't solid gold. From what understand, it's gold plated. All they do is melt gold strips on a SS clasp over the center. So, if this is the spot most prone to scratches and you continually get this brushed by RSC, eventually the SS will start to show through.

Either you get him one of those protective bands to wear the watch in (which defeats the purpose of showing off the TT), or he wear it only for special occasions.

The only other way of strengthening the gold in a TT watch would be to lower the carrats from 18 to say 14, 10?

[bwalkerVintage]

You could get some type of polishing cloth (like a cape cod cloth) and polish it yourself every once in awhile. My new oyster band has scrathes already from wiping of fingerprints with the Rolex polishing cloth..lol!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Kris

The only other way of strengthening the gold in a TT watch would be to lower the carrats from 18 to say 14, 10?

Wouldn't make an iota of a difference, Kris. Gold is gold, and polished is polished.

My first Rolex was a TT DJ with 14 K gold and it still attracted scratches.

Any gold surface on a watch will be polished and will become an automatic scratch magnet....and so will any STEEL polished surface - example, the centre STEEL polished links on the SS/Pt.YM!!

Cheers - JJ

[ashu2289]

I agree to JJ.
Any polished surface is prone to scratches, so it would not be a big difference in 18K or 14K unless they are polished. And about two tone models I accept that they are scratch magnets but still their careful handling and the best option that they can be professionally polished from RSC, one should enjoy wearing his watch as GOLD is GOLD and cant be replaced by SS just thinking that it would catch less scratches.

[Mrdi]

Trade it in for a stainless model.
Perhaps an EXP 1.
No polished center links either.
The TT sub seems popular on this forum,
maybe someone here is in need of a
sheepskin.

[nko51]

Rolex is and has always been 18K Gold in their watches, anyone who know about gold wil know that 18K Gold is soft and must be wore with care. Only a person who didn't have to pay for the watch themselves will treat a watch this way. I would reposes the Rolex, and give him a Timex.

[BamaTex]

I must throw my two cents in. I bought my wife a SS/18KT Yachtmaster for our 25th anniversary. I was afraid she would not wear it, but she has not taken it off. Anyway, when she did take it off I looked at the bracelet and the gold was scratched. I said something about the scratches and she told me, "I own the watch, the watch does not own me." For whats it worth.

[BLSampson]

I have a TT Blue Sub and it got scratched pretty bad. I had it polished by the AD...free of course. I then thought thru the process and started using Brasso on it about once every two months. It works wonderfully. It takes about ten minutes to polish the watch. I use a variety of polishing cloths. It also works well on my SS GMT II. The TT Blue Sub is like a fine Lady, take care of her and she'll always look great. My humble opinion.

[mikey]

I would probably recommend just buy a polishing cloth to go along with the Rolex as a gift.

[Gaijin]

I'm concerned about polishing cloths. Some have some sort of abrasive on them.

I have a few minor scratches on my new TT Blue Sub. I was seriously bummed at first, but I figure its just the cost of having such a stunning watch. I'm over it. I'll have whatever scratches that are on there in 5 years when it gets its first service buffed out then.

[Solar]

Originally Posted by BamaTex

I must throw my two cents in. I bought my wife a SS/18KT Yachtmaster for our 25th anniversary. I was afraid she would not wear it, but she has not taken it off. Anyway, when she did take it off I looked at the bracelet and the gold was scratched. I said something about the scratches and she told me,

"I own the watch, the watch does not own me." For whats it worth.

Your wife has absolutely the right attitude in my opinion. Accept that your watch, like everything in this life will age and you'll be happier I think. A friend of mine has a TT blue sub that's about 12 years old which he wears everyday. It has the inevitable scratches, but he wears it very well. My SD and GMT are pretty new, and both have scratches here and there on the polished surfaces. I take care with my watches but my life is not run by them. Scratches are part of the cost of doing business. Major damage is another story and a bother, but deal with that as/if it comes, and enjoy your watch today.

Best,

C

[angus]

Originally Posted by sinbad

Most watches will show wear with normal use. Unless the case and strap are made of ceramic or similar materials, fine scratches are bound to happen. Even though I am careful with my LV, it already shows some wear. My bright polished Breitling shows even more wear. One thing nice about both Rolex and Breitling is that case and strap are made of solid material and not plated. Therefore, an AD - jeweler - service center can polish the watch and bracelet to often "like new" condition. Either you can have your Dad continue wearing the watch the same way and remove the scratches during normal service OR get the watch polished now and have him be a little more careful. Personally, I would want my Dad to wear watch regularly and enjoy it knowing you can polish it anytime. My Dad usually only wears the watches I buy him on special occasions. I wished he wore them all the time as I would be happy to get him another one when needed.

I see. So that is the advantage of ceramic bezel.

I just have to caution and to advise him to wear the watch only on special occasions.

I used a montblanc boheme pen for my daily work use. I did distinctly remember that monblanc prides itself over its "precious black resin" of high scratch resistance. I been using this pen for the last 4 years and its full of scratches. The irony is that the precious resin gets scratches within the first two days of usage (simply from the friction between it and my shirt pocket!!!! ) I have never dropped the pen before. When I look at the platinum parts, somehow, I see scratches under light too.

hmm..that really leaves me wondering

[angus]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

What can I say, Angus. It makes my heart bleed to read such a sad tale of woe!!

In short: wrong watch on the wrong person!! You should have got your dad the FULL STEEL 16610 model and he would have been a happy man....and so would you....and so would all of us here!!

Good luck - JJ

Looking at his past few watches, a numerous casios and a few seikos, they look as if he has used them in vietnam war. I guess its really a wrong match of person and watch.

[angus]

Originally Posted by Kris

As for polishing it, what are you going to do? Have the bracelet brushed every few months? Everytime you get that watch polished, some gold is lost in the polishing process.

Which is the reason why I'm reluctant to have the watch polished..

[Kris]

Originally Posted by angus

Which is the reason why I'm reluctant to have the watch polished..

With all the abuse he subjects his watches to, you'd have been better served by buying him an SD instead

[louierolex125]

Originally Posted by angus

Looking at his past few watches, a numerous casios and a few seikos, they look as if he has used them in vietnam war. I guess its really a wrong match of person and watch.

Angus,

Here's a simple solution to your dilemma. And, I had used it with my Breitlings over the years. Scotch tape! 3/4 inch tape you can buy from any office supply store. What I do is scotch taped the entire clasp. And, since it is transluscent, you barely notice the scotch tape. It works and it's cheap.

Lately, I had to send my Old Navitimer for service--it's first field trip to Connecticut--for a service--I removed the scotch tape that had been onto the clasp, and miraculously, scratches were so minimal. Undetectable by the naked eye

Try it, it will save you time and money!

Cheers.

Louie

[syahriltaher]

I wear my watch on my right hand and I'm a right hander. But I'm always wearing it with a lot of care and therefore no major scratch on my watch until now. When I write on a desk, I always put something soft between the watch and the desk (soft napkins, etc) so there will be no direct contact between the watch and the desk.

Regards,

[bwalkerVintage]

Well, received the Cape Cod clothes I ordered last night. Gave my new oyster bracelet a bit of polish and WOW what a difference! Took off all the little scrathces that had occurred from me wiping of finger prints with my shirts and with a little extra elbow grease, easily removed a couple deeper scrathces that had appeared through my carelessness.

Maybe you could try getting your dad to do this once a month to keep it nice (or maybe once a week fro mthe sound of it).

[astcell]

The first scratch is the toughest. Like the first wrinkle.

[iSellJerseyShore]

While we are on the topic of TT scratches..... Does anyone have pictures of a well worn or badly scratched TT Sub that they can post?


-Frankie

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by iSellJerseyShore

While we are on the topic of TT scratches..... Does anyone have pictures of a well worn or badly scratched TT Sub that they can post?


-Frankie

They might, but then again I might have to kill them!!

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by iSellJerseyShore

While we are on the topic of TT scratches..... Does anyone have pictures of a well worn or badly scratched TT Sub that they can post?

Not a TT Sub, but this SD has a few scratches on the bezel. I wonder if a Cape Cod cloth would restore it?

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by Solar

Your wife has absolutely the right attitude in my opinion. Accept that your watch, like everything in this life will age and you'll be happier I think. A friend of mine has a TT blue sub that's about 12 years old which he wears everyday. It has the inevitable scratches, but he wears it very well. My SD and GMT are pretty new, and both have scratches here and there on the polished surfaces. I take care with my watches but my life is not run by them. Scratches are part of the cost of doing business. Major damage is another story and a bother, but deal with that as/if it comes, and enjoy your watch today.

Best,

C

I echo the same sentiment, enjoy your watch and don't let the scratches bother you, don't let your expensive watch run your life. Worst case scenario, there's always the RSC to the rescue, although I do think you had selected the wrong watch for your Dad.

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Not a TT Sub, but this SD has a few scratches on the bezel. I wonder if a Cape Cod cloth would restore it?

Holy...what's the story behind this watch Al??