Advice on dealing with scratches

[Alizawi]

I have a 5 year old RO 15400 which has some noticeable scratches (from some angles heart breaking, to me at least). Forget wrist awareness, as I am generally a clumsy person. I am also usually a "one watch at a time" person, so This is what I wear on a daily basis, for all occasions.

Now I have heard negative things about sending the watch for polishing, even more so if I ever decide to sell it. What is the general guideline here?

I'll put up some photos shortly showing the scratches.

Thanks..

[Andad]

I think we all make our own decisions regarding scratches based on our level of acceptance.

Some embrace scratches as a badge.

Some like their watches pristine.

Some care some don’t....your decision.

I like mine pristinish.

[Burlington]

If you post some pics then it will be easier to see what level of scratches you’re describing.

Official advice from AP is that there is a finite number of times a bezel can be polished before it loses its sharp edges.



This is the deepest ding I have on my ROO - actually grown to enjoy seeing it as a reminder of the long weekend it was added on.

Regarding value loss from polishing - if its done by AP and doesn’t affect the crispness of the case/ bezel then it shouldn’t have too much of an effect. If it’s done by a third party and all the edges are rounded etc. then it will put people off.

[V25V]

I see no problem with polishing, so long as you have AP do it and ONLY AP.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by V25V

I see no problem with polishing, so long as you have AP do it and ONLY AP.

yes

and 5-7 year intervals is fine. however 3-4 polishes is about all you can do per AP. So keep the useful life time of the watch in mind unless you are also ok with a case replacement in 20-30 years. Its such a long time frame i would do it if it means you will enjoy it more now.

[Alizawi]

Great advice from all. Definitely wouldn't consider doing this anywhere other than AP. Here are some photos

[GB-man]

Send it to AP for a service and refinishing. Life is too short to worry about it. You’ve waited long enough.

[uniqueMR]

Who cares. Enjoy the watch :)

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by uniqueMR

Who cares. Enjoy the watch :)

This!

[outtatime]

Five years as a daily wearer is going to accumulate some scratches for any model. You could refinish or probably sell yours and buy a new one.

[derekhayden]

If that's all you have been wearing for 5 years and it looks like that I think you are doing fine. If you are just going to continue to wear it then it will only end up the same way again. I actually prefer a few scratches so the ones that the future brings don't hurt as bad. Either way you decide glad to see you are at least enjoying it.

[David5807]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Send it to AP for a service and refinishing. Life is too short to worry about it. You’ve waited long enough.

I think if you've held on to the watch for five years already then why not get a polish already, through AP of course. Once it's back try practicing a little more wrist presence and call it a day.

[mrenvy]

Why scratches matter?


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[henry333]

5 years it deserves a polish. Don't worry if Ap does it. If I wore a single watch for 5 yrs it would be filled with scratches and stuff. Service and polish is the way to go

[Ziperian]

I like to see watches used not sitting in a safe. Cosmetics is down to your opinion. I love the wear on my diver, makes it mine.

[SBC1986]

It is all about how much you enjoy it. I think my 15400 looks weird new. It needs a few scratches.

[Alizawi]

Originally Posted by SBC1986

It is all about how much you enjoy it. I think my 15400 looks weird new. It needs a few scratches.

Definitely enjoying it, though I'm constantly receiving offers from people that want to buy it off me. Unfortunately nothing out there (within the budget) excites me enough to make the switch.

[AK797]

It deserves some spa treatment, just try to ask your wife to wait five years!!!

[Alizawi]

Originally Posted by AK797

It deserves some spa treatment, just try to ask your wife to wait five years!!!

Haha, I think my wife loves the watch more than I do. When I mentioned that I considered selling it she was furious

[Magmir]

I know this won’t be popular on here, but I’m kind of OCD so I got a watch screen protector when I got my ROO a few weeks ago. They’re designed to just cover the crystal but i got it a little bigger to protect the bezel. Of course since it’s round and the bezel isn’t it’s not ideal (plus the crystal is raised a bit).

I still haven’t decided if I’m going to keep it on or say f it and try to avoid scratches. From like one foot away you can’t even tell it’s on there though (it looks more apparent in pics than in person).


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[subtona]

Originally Posted by Alizawi

Advice on dealing with scratches

Ignore them ... eventually there will be so many you won’t even see them.

[malarky_hk]

Ghastly eye sore! Please send me your watch so you don't have to look at it anymore.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Magmir

They’re designed to just cover the crystal but i got it a little bigger to protect the bezel. Of course since it’s round and the bezel isn’t it’s not ideal (plus the crystal is raised a bit).

The crystal is the most naturally scratch resistant thing on the watch - those covers are designed primarily for ‘plastic glass’ watches. It may provide some cushioning in the event of an impact, but I don’t think the placement you have will actually serve you much purpose to reduce scratches as the outside of the bezel probably takes the most hits, and also having it half covered like that may result over time, in a kind of a ring developing around the bezel face.

It’s your watch and call of course, but I’m not sure even on a practical level it will serve the job you hope for.

See examples below - neither of which the cover would protect from.





However, my sapphire crystal is still immaculate.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Magmir

I know this won’t be popular on here, but I’m kind of OCD so I got a watch screen protector when I got my ROO a few weeks ago. They’re designed to just cover the crystal but i got it a little bigger to protect the bezel. Of course since it’s round and the bezel isn’t it’s not ideal (plus the crystal is raised a bit).

I still haven’t decided if I’m going to keep it on or say f it and try to avoid scratches. From like one foot away you can’t even tell it’s on there though (it looks more apparent in pics than in person).


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Dude you have got to take that off, that's the WIS equivalent of walking around with a condom already on.

[walds11]

I wear and enjoy my watches to the fullest. Embrace the battle scars. They can be polished out at a future service. Also, please put the loupes and macro camera lenses away

[Magmir]

Originally Posted by AK797

Dude you have got to take that off, that's the WIS equivalent of walking around with a condom already on.

Hahah, that was the best analogy. I’m taking it off today.

Edit: I was going to do it after work but couldn’t wait. The poster who said a ring could form freaked me out a bit and he was right. There was a slight ring, but fortunately I was able to remove it with a wet microfiber. I must say it looks 1000000x better now. I had never even considered doing such a thing with any of my other watches. I’m just going to wear it and enjoy it and when the time comes have it polished and do it all over again. Thanks guys.

[1William]

I think your watch looks great with the scratches and it is truly a daily wear. Leave it alone and when you need a service on the movement send it to AP and it will come back serviced and polished and you can start over again.

[runner9]

If you are having troubles sleeping, send it to AP and they will have it clean in no time.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by AK797

Dude you have got to take that off, that's the WIS equivalent of walking around with a condom already on.

+1. If I met someone on the street with another ROO and took notice of that, I would have a hard time not laughing.


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[CHOSEN1]

Dont polish. Natural patina is beautiful