Scratched the crystal anything I can do?

[murph145]

Well I guess I scratched the crystal on my Batman must have hit it while at work on something.

Weird thing is I usually wear my Sea Master to work because it is my daily and with all the years of daily abuse have never scratched the crystal on it.

Are the Rolex crystals that much softer?? I don't think I have ever scratched a high end watch crystal before so this is a first.

Not that I am that upset since it is relatively small but is this something that can be "polished" out or am I just stuck with it??

The scratch you can see is right below the 1 O'clock mark on the bezel. It is small and hard to see at normal angles but when light hits it the right way its pretty evident.

I guess I am not going to be wearing my rolex to work anymore, back to the good ol trusty Omega which seems to take a harder beating.

Thanks for any input!!

[sutats]

Get it addressed by the Rolex service centre, warranty or not since it's meant to be "Scratch-resistant sapphire".

[Kevin of Larchmont]

It's already scratched. I'd say that's the reason to keep wearing to work.

No one will notice it but you.

[cwieb]

Wear it! I find the more wear my watch has the more I enjoy wearing it

[fungo]

Maybe there is different grade of sapphire crystal? I have a tag with sapphire crystal with same scratch as your pic. The watch is only few years old. I have an omega that is 20+ yrs old and no scratch. Each get about the same wrist time.

I heard somewhere that you can try polish out the scratch with cape cod. But haven't bother to try it yet.

[murph145]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

It's already scratched. I'd say that's the reason to keep wearing to work.

No one will notice it but you.

Originally Posted by cwieb

Wear it! I find the more wear my watch has the more I enjoy wearing it

For sure I will still wear it , a lot. I just dont know if I will to work much as I own a construction style business even though I dont do the manual labor I guess I am around things that I can bash into more often, especially when using my shop forklift lol.

I think I will stick to the omega more seems more bullet proof.

[murph145]

Originally Posted by fungo

Maybe there is different grade of sapphire crystal? I have a tag with sapphire crystal with same scratch as your pic. The watch is only few years old. I have an omega that is 20+ yrs old and no scratch. Each get about the same wrist time.

I heard somewhere that you can try polish out the scratch with cape cod. But haven't bother to try it yet.

That's what I am thinking.... My omega is maybe 7 years old and I wore it non stop before I got this watch and I am sure I hit it on many more things harder than I have with this watch. I am thinking that this sapphire is softer for some reason......

Sucks thought they would be a little harder

[murph145]

Originally Posted by sutats

Get it addressed by the Rolex service centre, warranty or not since it's meant to be "Scratch-resistant sapphire".

Yea watch has warranty but not sure if they will cover "wear and tear"?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by murph145

Yea watch has warranty but not sure if they will cover "wear and tear"?

It won't. The operative word is "resistant". Live with it or get a new crystal. Stuff happens.

[BNA/LION]

Nope! It is worthless now, send it to me!

[fungo]

Just wondering, how much a blnr crystal cost?

[49ers101hitters]

Looks like you'll have to buy a new watch

[cwieb]

Originally Posted by fungo

Just wondering, how much a blnr crystal cost?

250ish... So I've heard. (P/L out the door)

[Mickyfin]

Battle scar, mine has many, each with their own memory :)

[badass09]

Originally Posted by fungo

Maybe there is different grade of sapphire crystal? I have a tag with sapphire crystal with same scratch as your pic. The watch is only few years old. I have an omega that is 20+ yrs old and no scratch. Each get about the same wrist time.

I heard somewhere that you can try polish out the scratch with cape cod. But haven't bother to try it yet.

yeah.. i have previously tried and succeeded with buffing out a scratch on my tag heuer carrera's sapphire crystal with cape cod polishing cloth..

the OP should give it a go..

before cape cod polishing the scratch near the 300 mark at the tachymeter..


after polishing with cape cod..


it did the trick for me..

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[fungo]

Originally Posted by cwieb

250ish... So I've heard. (P/L out the door)

That's not too bad. But dont think it is worth it, for such a surface scratch.

[Rocket_Man]

It is not impervious to scratches. If you are around construction items you could have come in contact with diamond particles from cutting or polishing tools, or some other very hard material.

The reason you can see it is that light reflects off the sharp edges of the scratch. The polishing cloth may knock those down so less light reflects off and you just don't notice it as much.

I once had a tiny rock chip right in my line of sight on the windshield. I took a small black sharpie and dotted it on the chip. The black dot blocked the light and the chip disappeared. .... well until the sharpie wore away. If it bothers you, you could try this. Otherwise it still looks great. Especially compared to my old Acrylic crystal on my DJ. That scratch is barely a flesh wound compared to the gashes on that thing.

[Passionata]

Try to rub it might be just some material bonded to the crystal with some effort u may can remove it,if it s a scratch in the crystal then no chance of course .
Sapphire is pretty hard and most cases rather chipping than scratching but as others said it isn t scratchproof .

[padi56]

Originally Posted by fungo

Just wondering, how much a blnr crystal cost?

Crystal cost is around $100 but when you include labour cost to change it then around $250-$300.And to the original poster you could try diamond paste it has worked for myself you want two tubes 3 micron and quarter micron cost around $25, use first 3 micron to remove the main scratch then quarter micron for final polish.If that dont work then leave crystal to next service time have it changed then as that tiny scratch will cause no harm to your watch.And all sapphire crystals will scratch and chip if you hit them hard enough.

[yoast]

I second this. Have done the exact same on a panerai crystal a few years ago and looked liked new.

Originally Posted by padi56

Crystal cost is around $100 but when you include labour cost to change it then around $250-$300.And to the original poster you could try diamond paste it has worked for myself you want two tubes 3 micron and quarter micron cost around $25, use first 3 micron to remove the main scratch then quarter micron for final polish.If that dont work then leave crystal to next service time have it changed then as that tiny scratch will cause no harm to your watch.And all sapphire crystals will scratch and chip if you hit them hard enough.

[Dirt]

Ah, the price we pay for getting a little careless

Of course it could be something as simple as a bit of paint off a door jamb.
If it is indeed paint, then it will scrape off with a sharp razor blade.

If it's scratched then I would simply leave it until service time.
The RSC will give you the option of replacing it. You can decide then.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by murph145

That's what I am thinking.... My omega is maybe 7 years old and I wore it non stop before I got this watch and I am sure I hit it on many more things harder than I have with this watch. I am thinking that this sapphire is softer for some reason......

Sucks thought they would be a little harder

No point blaming the gear if your the one who did the job on it.

You could always just get rid of it if you think it wont stand up to the punishment your dishing out and get something more robust

[1William]

I would try the polishing methods offered above. What ever caused the scratch would have also gotten your Omega or any other watch. No issues with the Rolex crystal you just damaged it.

[brandrea]

That would drive me nuts. I'd try to polish out as above or have it serviced. I can live with scratches on the case and bracelet but not on the crystal to that degree.

[Rolex addict]

My Yachtmaster had two scratches on the crystal. I wore and enjoyed it. When it was time for a service, I had the crystal replaced. No biggie. The watch was going to be taken apart anyway.

[Oneironaut]

Give it a try with the Cape Cod polishing cloth before sending to the RSC. It took a few minutes of polishing but worked wonders on my BLNR. You might find that it's not actually a scratch to the crystal but rather material left over from whatever you bumped it into.

[watchwatcher]

I would give the diamond paste or the Cape Cod a go. If it doesn't work, then you've got the option of replacing the crystal now or swapping a new one in at its next service. Good luck,

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by murph145

For sure I will still wear it , a lot. I just dont know if I will to work much as I own a construction style business even though I dont do the manual labor I guess I am around things that I can bash into more often, especially when using my shop forklift lol.

I think I will stick to the omega more seems more bullet proof.

+1 for the omega,,,
my seamaster "bond" took a battering over the many years i had her and just before flipping i had a £50 refurb and she looked brand new,,,,,,
flipped her for a £100 more then i payed for her,,,

[Furbo]

I would keep wearing it, it's good that you didn't scratch the bezel.

[liu_watch]

I tried diamond paste and a rotary handheld tool, no luck. Plus, polishing it leaves tiny swirls on the crystal, noticeable at certain angle and light condition. Better to have it replaced IMO.


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