16622 Bezel

[Curated]

Have been looking at picking up a 16622 Yachtmaster, preferably an early model with the coarser dial. One thing I have noticed on a lot of the watches is that the bezels seems to have darker areas...not sure if this is just dirt or some sort of discoloration? Clearly visible in this photo. Anyone with knowledge of what these darker areas are? Thanks2024-02-10 13.01.18.jpg

[joli160]

Doesn’t look like somebody tried to polish it. It might be skin grease or skin moisturizer.
If so a q-tip with aceton will easily clean it.

[yankeeromeo]

It looks like sun tan lotion to me.

But could be a variety of vanity products, heavy oil containing aftershave, skin lotion

[996marty]

Interesting I’ve never really seen that before

[RoRoRo]

Zeiss Lens Wipes are good for this

[Curated]

So the consensus seems to be that this is dirt or oils and can be cleaned off.

[piratfisk]

My father daily wears a 16622. His bezel looks pristine compared to that one in the original photo. I don't think I've ever heard of him using moisturizer, FWIW.

[Masteryacht]

That’s dirt or the like, not wear.

[alphadweller]

I've got a 116622 since 2015 and the bezel still looks pristine. How could it get so dirty, from OP's picture? I get the feeling it's been polished instead or refinished with a sandblasting machine as it should.