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GHEN · 4 April 2020, 03:52 AM

Hi All,

I have a SS Submariner (16610) that is my daily wear watch. I own a few other watches that I bought because they caught my eye, but except for 3-7 days per year, I wear my Submariner...also my only Rolex.

I bought the watch in 1998, it has been back to Rolex for service twice. It keeps great time and has never given me a problem.

Today I removed the band (which I almost never do, and found the model number and date codes between the lugs are starting to wear into the case, partially obliterating the numbers...grime is the enemy and I realize this is my fault.

I would post pictures but cannot until I have 10 posts.

A) Has anyone else experienced this?
B) Would Rolex re-engrave this (obviously for a fee)?

Thanks in advance!

GHEN

cop414 · 4 April 2020, 12:47 PM

You can post pictures but not links to pics.

epicurus · 4 April 2020, 01:30 PM

You want to pay to reengrave numbers you dont see???

cj3209 · 4 April 2020, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epicurus

You want to pay to reengrave numbers you dont see???

No, I get it; it's for peace of mind and if you ever need to get it appraised, it will help.

But I'm anal.

214270Explorer · 4 April 2020, 02:52 PM

The engraving-wear issue is caused by the end-links of the metal bracelet wearing themselves against the case.

This is normal for many models of Rolex.

Rolex did everyone a favor when they moved the serial number inside to the rehaut. Makes it easier for the owner, insurance evaluators, inventory purposes, crime-tracing, etc.

joli160 · 5 April 2020, 03:40 AM

Don't worry about it, indeed mostly end links cause this wear

101031-28 · 5 April 2020, 04:16 AM

I would leave as is.

GHEN · 5 April 2020, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cop414

You can post pictures but not links to pics.

PM sent.

GHEN · 5 April 2020, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epicurus

You want to pay to reengrave numbers you dont see???

No, I want to pay to re-engrave numbers that are mostly visible but partially obliterated.

GHEN

Dirt · 5 April 2020, 09:28 AM

Could be a little problematic although one may get away with it given the age of the watch.
RSC may deem it to be a molested or fake watch with a non-genuine Mid-case afterward and insist it be replaced or they won't perform any work on it in the future.
Maybe best to let sleeping dogs lie and chalk it up to a natural part of the ageing process and a part of the natural charm of the watch.

Dirt · 5 April 2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

The engraving-wear issue is caused by the end-links of the metal bracelet wearing themselves against the case.

This is normal for many models of Rolex.

Rolex did everyone a favor when they moved the serial number inside to the rehaut. Makes it easier for the owner, insurance evaluators, inventory purposes, crime-tracing, etc.

Agreed.

GHEN · 6 April 2020, 12:55 AM

This is what I am seeing, it is similar on the serial number side of the case.

Thanks for all of the responses.

I do believe it is not so much the end links as it is the grime between the end links and case. A slight, but important difference.

I'm not particularly worried about Rolex thinking the case isn't genuine at some point.

GHEN

fmc000 · 6 April 2020, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHEN

No, I want to pay to re-engrave numbers that are mostly visible but partially obliterated.

GHEN

You will destroys the value of your watch. Never re-engrave anything on a watch case.

Inviato dal mio SM-T719 utilizzando Tapatalk

GHEN · 6 April 2020, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc000

You will destroys the value of your watch. Never re-engrave anything on a watch case.

Thank you, is this true if Rolex does it?

GHEN

samuel019 · 6 April 2020, 02:26 AM

Don’t feel bad. My F Serial 16600 is doing the same if not worse. It can be really tough to see it without finding the right angle of light. Plus as you can see the “Orig Rolex Design” is basically unrecognizable.

However I was told by many professional watch makers the counterfeiters can never get the engraving right on the case. So if this is happening your Rolex is 100% authentic.

fmc000 · 6 April 2020, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHEN

Thank you, is this true if Rolex does it?

GHEN

Yes.

Inviato dal mio SM-T719 utilizzando Tapatalk

T.Mas · 6 April 2020, 05:24 AM

Rolex knows what normal usage and wear of their watches looks like. Believe me. Don’t worry. Enjoy your amazing timepiece.

Dirt · 6 April 2020, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHEN

No, I want to pay to re-engrave numbers that are mostly visible but partially obliterated.

GHEN

As far as I know, Rolex don't reinstate the factory stamped numbering on a watch.
They will sell you a new Mid-case if you want it but you will likely end up with a new serial number.
It's not going to be cheap for the sake of some worn numbers that are not visible with a bracelet on.

4 April 2020, 03:52 AM	#1
GHEN "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Gahanna, Ohio Posts: 47	Submariner case grinding away :-( Hi All, I have a SS Submariner (16610) that is my daily wear watch. I own a few other watches that I bought because they caught my eye, but except for 3-7 days per year, I wear my Submariner...also my only Rolex. I bought the watch in 1998, it has been back to Rolex for service twice. It keeps great time and has never given me a problem. Today I removed the band (which I almost never do, and found the model number and date codes between the lugs are starting to wear into the case, partially obliterating the numbers...grime is the enemy and I realize this is my fault. I would post pictures but cannot until I have 10 posts. A) Has anyone else experienced this? B) Would Rolex re-engrave this (obviously for a fee)? Thanks in advance! GHEN

4 April 2020, 12:47 PM	#2
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,134	You can post pictures but not links to pics. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

4 April 2020, 02:52 PM	#5
214270Explorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: United States Watch: me buy Watches Posts: 3,955	The engraving-wear issue is caused by the end-links of the metal bracelet wearing themselves against the case. This is normal for many models of Rolex. Rolex did everyone a favor when they moved the serial number inside to the rehaut. Makes it easier for the owner, insurance evaluators, inventory purposes, crime-tracing, etc. __________________ “The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind” Rolex "some" Tudor "some" Damasko "some" Misc Pieces "some" Marathon "some" GS Spring Drive "some" Hamilton "some" Findeisen "some"

5 April 2020, 03:40 AM	#6
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,737	Don't worry about it, indeed mostly end links cause this wear __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

5 April 2020, 04:16 AM	#7
101031-28 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: 1665 Posts: 4,764	I would leave as is. __________________ He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex. Ian Fleming

4 April 2020, 01:30 PM	#3
epicurus "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC Posts: 572	You want to pay to reengrave numbers you dont see???

5 April 2020, 09:28 AM	#10
Dirt "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Brisbane Watch: DSSD Posts: 8,053	Could be a little problematic although one may get away with it given the age of the watch. RSC may deem it to be a molested or fake watch with a non-genuine Mid-case afterward and insist it be replaced or they won't perform any work on it in the future. Maybe best to let sleeping dogs lie and chalk it up to a natural part of the ageing process and a part of the natural charm of the watch.

6 April 2020, 05:24 AM	#17
T.Mas "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Switzerland Posts: 316	Rolex knows what normal usage and wear of their watches looks like. Believe me. Don’t worry. Enjoy your amazing timepiece.

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