Keep a defect or replace? Decision help*

[RojoBlancoYAzul]

I bought an EXP II Polar less than a month ago and noticed that the lume underneath the 1 o'clock position had a dark spot when lit at night. I decided to take it to the AD and we had it sent to the RSC. The RSC said that it appears to be a mark underneath the lume paint. Therefore I have the following options:

1. The RSC will replace the Polar dial at no cost. Return it 6-8 Wks.

2. Return the watch and not have the RSC replace the dial.
(Keep it cause it’s cool and I have a watch that Rolex QC didn’t catch. Plus I can identify my watch aside from serial number. Also not have the RSC open it up within days from purchase.)

3. Return the watch (dial unreplaced) and then before my 5 yr warranty expires, send it in for a complete service, and have them replace the dial at that time.

The dark spot is visible enough to bother me especially cause it’s a new watch and if someone asks to see it at night with lume lit I would be embarrassed cause it’s new with a defect. Plus then I would have to explain Rolex QC didn’t catch it.

Any thoughts?
(And sorry I don’t have picks to show- what app do you use to post photos on this site? I could only post links which I don’t like).

[David5807]

I would have the dial replaced or fixed. It will drive you crazy if you don't.

[Bladeshot]

Your words gave you the answer. “The dark spot is enough to bother me...” go ahead and have them replace the dial. Otherwise it will bother you. It would bother me and I would absolutely have it corrected.

[Annan]

Get it done now if it truly bothers you. Better to be without your watch for a few weeks than let it bother you for years before a service. And, you might get it back quicker than estimated. It's a simple fix.

[abozz]

Change the dial!!!! You pay for a perfect item!

[Chiboy]

My Daytona was having issues where the chrono second hand would sometimes stutter around 12 o'clock and cause the watch to lose time when it was activated. I dropped it off at the Beverly Hills RSC when we were there on vaca. They sent it to their PA SC which does all the Daytona work. They fixed it, shipped it back to Beverly Hills, who Fedexed it to me. The whole thing took 12 days!

That said, I'd live with it and get it fixed under warrantee at service time. No one will even notice your watch, let alone ask to see the lume!

[TonyD]

I say option 3 as this is what I did. I found a tiny bit of gasket lube at the edge of the crystal on my Daytona. Not enough to fall in and cause an issue but enough to see if you look really hard. I showed it to my AD and we made note of it. Then 2 months before the warranty expired we sent it in for service.

Best of both worlds.

[brandrea]

Replace the dial.

[burnthesehills]

I don’t understand option #2. Are they willing to give you a full refund or order you a new watch?

I would have them replace the dial.

[Carondelet]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Your words gave you the answer. “The dark spot is enough to bother me...” go ahead and have them replace the dial. Otherwise it will bother you. It would bother me and I would absolutely have it corrected.

Yes.

Had you not said this, I would have said keep it as is and send it in closer to the 5-year mark. However, since you said it will bother you, I'd send it in for a dial replacement.

[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

My Daytona was having issues where the chrono second hand would sometimes stutter around 12 o'clock and cause the watch to lose time when it was activated. I dropped it off at the Beverly Hills RSC when we were there on vaca. They sent it to their PA SC which does all the Daytona work. They fixed it, shipped it back to Beverly Hills, who Fedexed it to me. The whole thing took 12 days!

That said, I'd live with it and get it fixed under warrantee at service time. No one will even notice your watch, let alone ask to see the lume!

I'm actually in the opposite camp. I'd say replace the dial now since it's already there. Whose to say that the watch will still be under warranty when it needs a full service? Why risk having to risk that expense out of pocket?

Awesome turnaround time on your Daytona though!

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I'm actually in the opposite camp. I'd say replace the dial now since it's already there. Whose to say that the watch will still be under warranty when it needs a full service? Why risk having to risk that expense out of pocket?

Awesome turnaround time on your Daytona though!

Ah, excellent point. I forgot the watch was already there. I agree -- get her done!

[jimcameron]

Now

[beshannon]

I would have the dial replaced now

[SkyJuice]

Rectify if it makes you lose sleep.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by RojoBlancoYAzul

I bought an EXP II Polar less than a month ago and noticed that the lume underneath the 1 o'clock position had a dark spot when lit at night. I decided to take it to the AD and we had it sent to the RSC. The RSC said that it appears to be a mark underneath the lume paint. Therefore I have the following options:

1. The RSC will replace the Polar dial at no cost. Return it 6-8 Wks.

2. Return the watch and not have the RSC replace the dial.
(Keep it cause it’s cool and I have a watch that Rolex QC didn’t catch. Plus I can identify my watch aside from serial number. Also not have the RSC open it up within days from purchase.)

3. Return the watch (dial unreplaced) and then before my 5 yr warranty expires, send it in for a complete service, and have them replace the dial at that time.

The dark spot is visible enough to bother me especially cause it’s a new watch and if someone asks to see it at night with lume lit I would be embarrassed cause it’s new with a defect. Plus then I would have to explain Rolex QC didn’t catch it.

Any thoughts?
(And sorry I don’t have picks to show- what app do you use to post photos on this site? I could only post links which I don’t like).

If you decline the warranty dial replacement now, Rolex may refuse to do it in, say, 4 years before your warranty has expired. No doubt the RSC has kept a record of your watch and what it was sent in for.

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I don’t understand option #2. Are they willing to give you a full refund or order you a new watch?

I would have them replace the dial.

I had to re-read this one too. I think OP is saying he can have RSC return it to him, by him returning the watch.

[Shaney]

Yeah, like many others I would have the dial replaced.

If it has bothered you enough to ask then you already know what to do mate.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Devildog

If you decline the warranty dial replacement now, Rolex may refuse to do it in, say, 4 years before your warranty has expired. No doubt the RSC has kept a record of your watch and what it was sent in for.

Good point, Scott.

[RojoBlancoYAzul]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I don’t understand option #2. Are they willing to give you a full refund or order you a new watch?

I would have them replace the dial.

Apologies if that was confusing. What I meant on option 2 and 3 was have my watch returned.

[RojoBlancoYAzul]

Thanks everybody for your posts! I do believe I will have them replace the dial. And while they are at it I will tell them to ensure the 12 o’clock position on the dial aligns with the engraved Rolex crown on the rehaut. That was another problem I noticed and have been told that is a very common problem.

[FirstF80InSpace]

Get if fixed under warranty. When I got my Tudor BB Chrono, I noticed there was a blemish on the inner bezel. Even though you couldn't see it unless you looked for it, I knew it was there and it would bother me. So I sent it in, got it back 2 months later and couldn't be happier that I did send it in.

[RichardF]

If I were you I would replace the dial immediately. While Rolex has it you know they are going to check out the entire watch carefully to see if there are any other issues as well.

Defects like this will never make this watch more valuable or collectable in fact it will only make it look questionable.

[donas]

If it bothers you, fix it. I bought a "lnib" Pam and it had a small ding that wasn't pictured in the sale. I regret not addressing this issue to this day. Bothers me every time I wear it.