How to protect Serial no from daily wear attrition?

[drainaps]

Good day,
I was just thinking of putting some adhesive tape covering serial and model nos to avoid the end links from wearing them away with daily use. Is that a good idea? Bany best practices out there? Thanks for help!

[Lentz]

Yes. It is good idea. Many ppl do it.

[joe100]

I did that when I owned a Sinn U2 GMT. Worked great!

[Dan Pierce]

Nato.
dP

[oceandweller]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Nato.
dP

Leather-band or NATO will help to preserve the serial number, years after years.

[Mike1066]

People - at some point, don't you just have to wear the watch and realize that it may get knocked around some? Isn't the rub on the SNs just part of owning a watch and using it for what it was intended for?

V/R

Mike

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Mike1066

People - at some point, don't you just have to wear the watch and realize that it may get knocked around some? Isn't the rub on the SNs just part of owning a watch and using it for what it was intended for?

V/R

Mike

Not if it's vintage, rare and valuable....serial numbers become everything then

[Mike1066]

Originally Posted by azguy

Not if it's vintage, rare and valuable....serial numbers become everything then

I mean, I understand that. Believe me. I get it. But, I guess I just fall into the camp of "wear the damn thing!" No watch is going to be flawless. Vintage to me means worn for its intended purpose for many years. But, I do understand where the OP is coming from and understand his sentiment.

[drainaps]

Originally Posted by Mike1066

I mean, I understand that. Believe me. I get it. But, I guess I just fall into the camp of "wear the damn thing!" No watch is going to be flawless. Vintage to me means worn for its intended purpose for many years. But, I do understand where the OP is coming from and understand his sentiment.

Mike,
What you say is totally right..... Until you have too many of the beasts. Then you realize that you have spent (invested?) a fair amount of money, which could buy you a very very nice car or even a house. Then investment hedging starts to kick in.....

In case one day I was forced to trade them, or my son did not fancy keeping them after I pass, I just want to make sure that they convert into as much cash as possible. I would call that common sense?

[Xander]

Careful to keep the tape clean. A lot of times, wear on metal is caused by an adhesive/lubricant/wax attracting grit and becoming an abrasive. I'm convinced that this is what causes the majority of stretch/wear on bracelets and endlink wear.

[subtona]

for vintage pieces perhaps.

for newer pieces.... 20 years of 24/7 wear on my sub and there were zero issues with wear and tear on the numbers.
fyi the bracelet on my sub was the 93150 type, pre SEL's

i suspect that the SEL type end links and newer have completely alleviated this with the advances in fitment.

i would be more concerned about the glue residue marking the case, rather than the numbers wearing away on modern rolex'

[K.W]

I think if you keep the wrist cheese from building up under the endlinks it will help as well. I have a 60's 1002, the serial is still readable in places, however there is corrosion and "pitting" of the stainless that makes it hard to read. Some people body chemistry is just a little more corrosive or they wear it around salt water, and the grime sits in there and corrodes the stainless.. Just a theory.