Watchmaker scratched my 1680

[sgwatchobsession]

Hey guys, hope you’ve had a good weekend! Recently I dropped my 1680 off to a watchmaker to have the bezel insert swapped for a ghost one. Watch left in good shape and came back with a scratch on the lower left lug. He’s offered to help hand polish out the scratch but Im worried about it affecting the case shape. Here’s some before and after shots with timestamps.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sgwatchobsession]

Heres the before pic*


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[swish77]

It happens, and easier to deal with because it's on a brushed surface. Depending how deep it is, a light rub with one of those fiber-glass pens or a Scotch-Brite pad might be able to take care of it, assuming the watchmaker knows what he's doing and can blend in the direction of the brushing. A skilled hand should be able to take care of it without a negative effect on the case.

[Jackie Daytona]

Shouldn’t be a big issue. You could probably take care of that yourself, that being said the watchmaker should be fine to address it.

[joli160]

I would not let that watchmaker ever come close to any of my watches again.
Nothing short of a plumber.

Sent it to another watchmaker to have the lugs redone . You need to use the same grit otherwise it will be visible. Best way for a consistent look is to do all lugs.
If done correctly nobody will be able to tell.

Best to do this kind of tinkering in the future yourself. Very easy.
Tape of the lugs, use the correct tools, no shortcuts and all will be good.

[ADINVA]

For me, I would just leave it as it is.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by joli160

Best to do this kind of tinkering in the future yourself. Very easy.
Tape of the lugs, use the correct tools, no shortcuts and all will be good.

It's only easy if you're experienced and know exactly what you're doing. Changing inserts is a pain in the A, and they break easily.

I assume that's why the OP took it to a watchmaker in the first place.

[BigBlue1]

Just leave it.

[sgwatchobsession]

Thanks for all the responses guys, really appreciate it. I guess things like this do happen but its super frustrating when it does to a pretty clean, almost unpolished piece. Would leave it as is if there were other scratches as I tend to not like polishing my watches but its the only one and stands out like a sore thumb.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1William]

Just leave it alone. While I am no fan of scratches it might only get worse if something is done to remove it.

[TuRo]

45 second job with a soft watch file (the finest light grey or pink section)....brushing exactly to mirror the c 45 degree angle of nap of the top of lug.

[karleone]

I would never ever leave another watch to that watchmaker and surely not touch the watch again for a brushing…. If you know an expert in refinishing case like LAWW I would go that route or just leave it leave that.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by TuRo

45 second job with a soft watch file (the finest light grey or pink section)....brushing exactly to mirror the c 45 degree angle of nap of the top of lug.

By an expert, yes. Vintage Rolex isn't the medium for DIY experimentation with a scratchy tool. I'm sure you weren't suggesting that.

[jjfesq]

Not sure what almost unpolished means. It’s like being pregnant. She either is or she isn’t.

That said it’s not deep and I would leave it until something else happens


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tritiumhands]

I'd leave it, but I'd ask for a refund on work done by the watchmaker.
Clearly not done to a satisfactory standard.

[Arnozerosix]

Originally Posted by jjfesq

Not sure what almost unpolished means. It’s like being pregnant. She either is or she isn’t.

That said it’s not deep and I would leave it until something else happens


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i was wondering the same ... LOL...
not deep leave it like it is or just ask a weak watchmaker to brush it, you won't be able to see any difference ...

[GGGMT]

Great watchmaker. Leave it and never go back to the dude.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mk2rick]

Same here just leave it and enjoy the watch !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Garycar51]

I would leave it, and when you have it serviced next, go to someone else.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

For me, I would just leave it as it is.

Would be inclined to agree.

[sgwatchobsession]

On another note, to get the insert in, this particular watchmaker told me that my bezel ring was not flat and started bending it against a table corner, after he had reinstalled the ring and bezel, the bezel doesnt turn as freely as it used to. Is there a way to reverse this? I was in HK for a few days last week and had the watch looked at by Classic Watch Repair but they too were at a lost at trying to restore the bezel's fit. Is my only hope a new bezel ring? And if so, what's my best chance at securing one?

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by sgwatchobsession

On another note, to get the insert in, this particular watchmaker told me that my bezel ring was not flat and started bending it against a table corner, after he had reinstalled the ring and bezel, the bezel doesnt turn as freely as it used to. Is there a way to reverse this? I was in HK for a few days last week and had the watch looked at by Classic Watch Repair but they too were at a lost at trying to restore the bezel's fit. Is my only hope a new bezel ring? And if so, what's my best chance at securing one?

If you had Classic Watch Repair look at it and they could not fit it correctly my guess is you will need a new bezel and possibly a retaining ring.

Did Classic Watch Repair offer a solution or give you a repair estimate? They should also be able to refinish the scratch no problem.

[sgwatchobsession]

Originally Posted by JustinK

If you had Classic Watch Repair look at it and they could not fit it correctly my guess is you will need a new bezel and possibly a retaining ring.

Did Classic Watch Repair offer a solution or give you a repair estimate? They should also be able to refinish the scratch no problem.

I did get the scratch fixed as well as a few other parts for the bracelet but they tried and said they didn't really want to cause more damage by trying to potentially bend it further :') As for new bezels, I'm guessing the AD is the way to go?

[XavierM]

Have you tried taking off the bezel to check if it is flat ?
Is the area between the case and the bezel clean enough to enable smooth rotation ?
Is it really hard to turn when you press the bezel against the case, two fingers opposite side (1 o clock and 7 o clock for instance) ?

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by sgwatchobsession

I did get the scratch fixed as well as a few other parts for the bracelet but they tried and said they didn't really want to cause more damage by trying to potentially bend it further :') As for new bezels, I'm guessing the AD is the way to go?

Lots of used genuine bezels around for sale but the trick is finding one that will fit your existing retaining ring or finding a watchmaker with the correct tool to fit a different bezel to the existing retaining ring.

Sometimes the bezel will fit an existing retaining ring no problem and sometimes not. In the states to get the parts from Rolex you would have to send the watch to Rolex and they would replace both the bezel and retaining ring as well as charge you for a full service. Not a good option, it may be different in Singapore.

I would get back in touch with Classic Watch repair to see what they suggest.

[sgwatchobsession]

Originally Posted by XavierM

Have you tried taking off the bezel to check if it is flat ?
Is the area between the case and the bezel clean enough to enable smooth rotation ?
Is it really hard to turn when you press the bezel against the case, two fingers opposite side (1 o clock and 7 o clock for instance) ?

It's been cleaned recently when it went to Classic Watch Repair and they told me the bezel was pretty straight and they couldn't find a bulge/ where it might be warped.

Happens to have particular tightness between the 12 to 1 o clock turning clockwise and doesn't turn unless with quite a bit of force in your described method.

[sgwatchobsession]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Lots of used genuine bezels around for sale but the trick is finding one that will fit your existing retaining ring or finding a watchmaker with the correct tool to fit a different bezel to the existing retaining ring.

Sometimes the bezel will fit an existing retaining ring no problem and sometimes not. In the states to get the parts from Rolex you would have to send the watch to Rolex and they would replace both the bezel and retaining ring as well as charge you for a full service. Not a good option, it may be different in Singapore.

I would get back in touch with Classic Watch repair to see what they suggest.

Hmmm do you mean replacing the bezel insert? I always thought it would be a problem with the bezel ring rather than the insert itself.