Plastics Can Scratch Your Rolex...

[Reddleader68]

I started a new thead on this for better visibility after another user said his plastic calipers scratched his rolex....

I worked in the injection moulding industry for a few years and many of you may not be aware that many plastics (called engineering grade plastics) have glass fibers or beads added to them for increasing the strenght of it. Rubbing your watch against a plastic component like the plastic jaws of a cheap pair of calipers, or the housing of your DeWalt drill can result in leaving microfine scratches because of the glass fibers.

[gerry100]

In that biz for 30 yrs.

You are correct, compounds with minerals/glass fibers etc have the potential to scratch SS.

However, molding conditions determine how much is at the contact surface with the watch.

The materials we most handle are in packaging which generally have no additives abrasive to metals

[HiBoost]

As that "other user" couldn't you have posted this before I made the blunder and saved me the heartburn?! haha

[padi56]

Never worried about any scratches on any Rolex watch I have owned over the past 50 odd years. Used one SD for many years as a real working tool for many years underwater. And came into contact with industrial grade plastic, metal, fibre glass, wood, hard corals, rocks and most all other things in the days of using a watch as a working tool. And after 20 plus years of almost continual daily use, watch has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide still looks good today. Now with todays mainly pampered watches some fret and worry about the slightest miniscule scratch. I sometime wonder today why some buy Rolex watches as in the real world, they are one of the toughest watches made by man, perhaps to just wear the brand. As all scratches easily rectified at normal routine service which now depends on use every 5-10 years perhaps longer with todays very pampered watches.

[Master_Grogu]

Your Rolex flanks are highly polished, and far less scratch resistant than you would believe. When something is so cleanly flat (reflective), any imperfection is made obvious!

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by padi56

Never worried about any scratches on any Rolex watch I have owned over the past 50 odd years. Used one SD for many years as a real working tool for many years underwater. And came into contact with industrial grade plastic, metal, fibre glass, wood, hard corals, rocks and most all other things in the days of using a watch as a working tool. And after 20 plus years of almost continual daily use, watch has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide still looks good today. Now with todays mainly pampered watches some fret and worry about the slightest miniscule scratch. I sometime wonder today why some buy Rolex watches as in the real world, they are one of the toughest watches made by man, perhaps to just wear the brand. As all scratches easily rectified at normal routine service which now depends on use every 5-10 years perhaps longer with todays very pampered watches.

It's simply apples to oranges. The new Submariner's shape and polish is entirely different than the older ones. The very wide, very flat, highly polished sides of the case are literal mirrors which show everything, even a damn fingerprint. My brand new Datejust does not do this at all. So it's a bit ironic that the 2021 "tool watch" is more of a finicky show piece than the 2021 "dress watch".

Further, this whole notion of "don't worry, the scratches will be fixed at service" is silly. If the scratches come super easily/quickly (and they do) and the service comes very slowly (10 years) then basically 99% of the watch's life will be in the "scratched to hell" category but we're just supposed to look forward to that 1% next decade where it will look good again?

And finally, no, a Rolex is nowhere near the most robust watch made. Perhaps one of the most robust mechanical watches, sure. But that's like saying "this is the most shatter resistant fine china made". Great, but does anyone think it can stand up to what a rubbermaid plate can take? You can drop your g-shock from waist height onto a tile floor all day long, but don't try that with any mechanical timepiece. The bottom line is if a consumer wanted a TRUE tool watch in 2021 he would buy a quartz or completely electronic watch that provides far more functionality and reliability at a much lower price point. So we are all buying into the romanticism of the mechanical timepiece and intentionally buying a less robust product in exchange for other reasons (history, appearance, prestige, etc). You came from a generation where these alternatives did not exist and the Rolex offering truly was the best tool for the job. Times have changed. Dramatically. I'm just trying to help you since you post daily that you wonder why people buy these watches.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

It's simply apples to oranges. The new Submariner's shape and polish is entirely different than the older ones. The very wide, very flat, highly polished sides of the case are literal mirrors which show everything, even a damn fingerprint. My brand new Datejust does not do this at all. So it's a bit ironic that the 2021 "tool watch" is more of a finicky show piece than the 2021 "dress watch".

Further, this whole notion of "don't worry, the scratches will be fixed at service" is silly. If the scratches come super easily/quickly (and they do) and the service comes very slowly (10 years) then basically 99% of the watch's life will be in the "scratched to hell" category but we're just supposed to look forward to that 1% next decade where it will look good again?

And finally, no, a Rolex is nowhere near the most robust watch made. Perhaps one of the most robust mechanical watches, sure. But that's like saying "this is the most shatter resistant fine china made". Great, but does anyone think it can stand up to what a rubbermaid plate can take? You can drop your g-shock from waist height onto a tile floor all day long, but don't try that with any mechanical timepiece. The bottom line is if a consumer wanted a TRUE tool watch in 2021 he would buy a quartz or completely electronic watch that provides far more functionality and reliability at a much lower price point. So we are all buying into the romanticism of the mechanical timepiece and intentionally buying a less robust product in exchange for other reasons (history, appearance, prestige, etc). You came from a generation where these alternatives did not exist and the Rolex offering truly was the best tool for the job. Times have changed. Dramatically. I'm just trying to help you since you post daily that you wonder why people buy these watches.

You're comparing the new 6 digits to G Shocks. The new 6 digits are no less durable than 5 digits. I'm not sure what you expect to be different. Yes more polished surfaces can get hairlines. You shouldn't drop any mechanical watches. If you want ultimate durability get that G Shock.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by 904VT

You're comparing the new 6 digits to G Shocks. The new 6 digits are no less durable than 5 digits. I'm not sure what you expect to be different. Yes more polished surfaces can get hairlines. You shouldn't drop any mechanical watches. If you want ultimate durability get that G Shock.

Sounds like we are in agreement then. I generally lump all modern (last 20 years or so) mechanical watches into one group in terms of mechanical reliability (with rare exceptions such as a Richard Mille with its mainplate suspended on a steel cable which is connected to a peak and hold G-meter lol). And this entire group is, obviously, at a lower level of robustness than the premium offerings in the non-mechanical group. Where I'm drawing a line between 6 and 5 digit Subs is that the 6 digits have become these visual jewels which now highlight external flaws even more readily.

Again, I don't know how better to say it other than my new Datejust seems more practical to wear daily than my Bluesy. The DJ's curved case sides hide marks. The DJ's jubilee bracelet hides marks. The Bluesy's flat mirrored sides show everything, as do the PCLs on its oyster bracelet. The wearing experience is the opposite of what I'd expect from their diver and dress lines.

So you could say, fine, why did you buy a Bluesy then, dummy? And my answer would be to serve as a "nice" watch for nice occasions, not to do underwater tig welding. Which is why I don't want it all scratched up!

[904VT]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Sounds like we are in agreement then. I generally lump all modern (last 20 years or so) mechanical watches into one group in terms of mechanical reliability (with rare exceptions such as a Richard Mille with its mainplate suspended on a steel cable which is connected to a peak and hold G-meter lol). And this entire group is, obviously, at a lower level of robustness than the premium offerings in the non-mechanical group. Where I'm drawing a line between 6 and 5 digit Subs is that the 6 digits have become these visual jewels which now highlight external flaws even more readily.

Again, I don't know how better to say it other than my new Datejust seems more practical to wear daily than my Bluesy. The DJ's curved case sides hide marks. The DJ's jubilee bracelet hides marks. The Bluesy's flat mirrored sides show everything, as do the PCLs on its oyster bracelet. The wearing experience is the opposite of what I'd expect from their diver and dress lines.

So you could say, fine, why did you buy a Bluesy then, dummy? And my answer would be to serve as a "nice" watch for nice occasions, not to do underwater tig welding. Which is why I don't want it all scratched up!

Makes sense. I agree the new models will show more visual blemishes. At least for having more polished surfaces. I find the PCLs can be touched up with Cape Cods pretty easily though in between services if willing to try.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

My brand new Datejust does not do this at all. So it's a bit ironic that the 2021 "tool watch" is more of a finicky show piece than the 2021 "dress watch".

Dress watch!!!