refinishing an aquanaut, does anyone do this?

[DonLee]

Being such a thin watch, is refinishing really out of the question?

It was a very sad day. Made a mark on my watch the other day, and it's quite noticeable. I know the saying, "if you wear a watch, you're going to scratch it". The sad part was, I had put a protection film on it, and i made sure the front satin finish part was the first and most important film to apply.

After knocking the watch on a door handle, while helping my wife carry her luggage, I noticed the mark. On closer inspection, I started to question, wait that doesn't look like there's a protection film on that particular part of the watch. In fact, it was the only place that was missing film.

Totally lost for words why the film was on it. Totally heart broken, and can't bare to wear the watch for the last week.

The thing about a big rolex watch is that a nick or scratch here and there isn't that noticeable. It's a big hunk of steel. The aquanaut being so thin and simplistic, the mark is so obvious.


The only remedy I can think of right now, is to get an even better watch to mask over this heart break.

[Moondoggy]

What ever you are on I need it ten fold.

[herts9]

Whenever I dent my Camry, I want to go out and buy a Maserati

[yoast]

wow

[ts3]

Thinking hard about where I could bang my Nautilus against so I can get a better watch.

More seriously, if you think it was just one freak accident you could theoretically get it polished. Or you could take off the plastic and get it beat up. Patek sports watches look good mint and they look good beat up. The difficult part is the stage in between. Lastly, if I could not enjoy a watch w/o plastic I'd sell it.

[llngoc]

This is the best excuse to get a new watch and keep getting one: “Honey, I just scratched my Aquanuat and I need a grand complication now”

[jfriedkin]

If you are afraid to wear your watches and scratch them up, perhaps you need to leave the safe and protected in the box. I don't get why people are so obsessed about perfect watches. There is no life in a perfect watch. Live life and enjoy what few have the pleasure to experience.

[DonLee]

Originally Posted by ts3

Thinking hard about where I could bang my Nautilus against so I can get a better watch.

More seriously, if you think it was just one freak accident you could theoretically get it polished. Or you could take off the plastic and get it beat up. Patek sports watches look good mint and they look good beat up. The difficult part is the stage in between. Lastly, if I could not enjoy a watch w/o plastic I'd sell it.

Thank you for actually writing something helpful and meaningful. The whole point, "about wanting a better watch" is me saying, "good luck with that, I'll never get over this."

Originally I didn't think I'd want to put protection over the whole watch, but I tried and see how it would look. Barely noticed it at all. And it donned on me that with the film on, I could wear it more daily and not worry about being so super careful. That's the whole point. With hindsight, I am so puzzled why the film was missing for that one surface. I feel so stupid to think that I had that false security....

perhaps in the end, this will either make me end up selling it, or just let it be and wear it normally and let it age.

[bonsai-man]

It must be a very big mark/scratch, do you mind sharing pictures. You may find sharing pictures with the forum can help with rationalising these things, it may not be as bad as you think.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by herts9

Whenever I dent my Camry, I want to go out and buy a Maserati

Sold the Ferrari because the Italian ashtray was full of cigars.

PS: This really did happen, as this one time (at band camp) i spilled milk in the Ferrari's trunk. True story!

i didn't cry. Also true.

--------------

As for the Aqua, i wore the living stuff out of it 24/7 and other than it being scratch-prone and less durable overall than other timepieces (and the lume falling out of the '1' at '10') she was ok. If you're truly afraid of scratches, as you went to so much trouble adding protection... perhaps a model with ceramic or carbon fiber case is your best bet. My Panerai 1118 has been a daily beater for some time and this one time i accidentally rubbed it kinda hard against our home's concrete and you can't even see a single scratch(!). Most impressive!

So yes, you seriously now must consider a timepiece with higher scratch resistance imho given your problems and concerns.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by DonLee

Thank you for actually writing something helpful and meaningful. The whole point, "about wanting a better watch" is me saying, "good luck with that, I'll never get over this."

Originally I didn't think I'd want to put protection over the whole watch, but I tried and see how it would look. Barely noticed it at all. And it donned on me that with the film on, I could wear it more daily and not worry about being so super careful. That's the whole point. With hindsight, I am so puzzled why the film was missing for that one surface. I feel so stupid to think that I had that false security....

perhaps in the end, this will either make me end up selling it, or just let it be and wear it normally and let it age.

Murthy’s Law

The first dent is always painful. After that you won’t even notice it. I was in bed reading when I dented my ROO (still trying to figure out how it happened) and now I don’t mind using it as a daily. But the first dent was painful.


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[np2016]

It's a watch meant to be worn! Its gonna get scratched and dented just like my 5167a has that's life unless you keep it in a safe 24-7 365.

[Divingdeep87]

I hate 2021.

[shaunylw]

It doesn’t matter what you wear, it’s getting scratched. I’ve had scratches within a few hours of removing stickers. You really have to get over it or you’re in for a miserable life of watch ownership. If you wear it often enough, they all blend in and start to look better.

These scratches are after maybe 2-3 days of wearing it. It’s just the way it goes.




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[epicurus]

Originally Posted by herts9

Whenever I dent my Camry, I want to go out and buy a Maserati

HAHAHHAHA....Thats awesome

[Rushne]

Alright. As strange as it may sound to many people. The guy is suffering and needs some support.

Yes. Just wear it and enjoy.
Yes don’t worry about it.

However. He has trouble not worrying about it.
You can of course get it refinished if it will give you peace of mind.

However. I would suggest holding off on that refinish request. Try just wearing it and wearing it, and if after a few weeks it’s still bothering you. Then refinish it or god forbid. Sell it.

I do think that after a week or two (possible a month haha). Some sleep to help clear the mind. I really believe that you’ll be alright with the blemish.

Then again if you are not. Fix it or sell it. No point stressing out for now. You have solutions. Just relax, take a breath and give it time to pick the solution that will make you happiest.

[RollinMoses]

My question is why are you so worried about scratches that you feel the need to put a cover on it? Is it:

1) because of the current market price / difficultly to obtain at retail? Or
2) you feel the same worries about other nice watches that you wear and so you use these stickers on all watches?

If it is the former, then as much as I like the aquanaut, I would say worth just cashing out and getting something else that you love just as much (or a selection of watches), but without the feeling that each scratch costs serious money. If it is the later, then I think it is worth checking with your AD / boutique on what they can do and then see how you feel after that.

I also think time is a healer here. I remember my heart dropping when I noticed what seemed like a huge bite out of the lug on my first nice watch. Years later, I know it is a cliche, but I love that watch more than ever. It has so many small scratches I have no idea where they came from and the small nick on the lug is hardly noticeable.

[srvrf]

I agree with the majority of the responses. There seems like there may be some real issues for the OP, perhaps OCD, that prevent him from blowing off scratches like most of us do. In that case, it would seem like wearing a watch that valuable simply is not going to work. So maybe get it refinished and then keep it as a safe queen and get something else as a daily wearer that won't elicit that response.

[fsprow]

If you think of it as an investment, just take the stickers off and put it in the safe. If not (and I don’t) l, I think you will regret each small mark and frequently have it refinished. Rather than that, I suggest selling it and buying a watch you will enjoy and not worry about.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by DonLee

perhaps in the end, this will either make me end up selling it

I think this is the best idea as you will never be happy.

[2nastie]

Sh.t happens, now wear the watch and go on with life.

If you want to polish it and make it look new again, then wait until next service you'll get more scratches and nicks in between anyways.

[szabo_martin]

Sell it, watches should be worn and enjoyed not a cause for anxiety

[zewill]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

What ever you are on I need it ten fold.