1st service for my Rolex. Confused

[BlackBay]

Hello friends,

I have asked a while ago but I'd like to have more opinions. The situation is as follows:

My first and still only Rolex.. It's a 2010 Submariner 16610 that I bought NOS 4 years ago after working my ass off for 1 whole summer at the age of 22. Wearing it proudly and happily every day. The watch is still in very great shape (mint+). It runs quite well (a bit too fast). Therefor I don't want to polish the case as I have learned RSC completely grinds the watch, including the brushed lugs and refinishes everything.

Well.. there's not a lot to refinish... but there is 1 ding that bothers me very much. Especially because it's caused by pure stupidity and I have a hard time living with it. It needs to go.

Click for large. (2.5mm width)


I've sent a few pics to RSC Köln (they are very very friendly btw) and asked about laser-welding which they offer. They suggested I'd come by with the watch.

Yesterday I've asked at Rolex Amsterdam and the white-dressed men stressed not to touch this mark as it will need to victimize all the edges. Also they said the mark is too little for laser-welding and the watch is looking too good for an overall grind&polish.

Now, what should I do? Postpone the movement service till it's physically justifiable for an overal service? That can take another 8 years as I am very careful with my stuff.

Or do a movement and bracelet service and let them pep up this small mark as little as needed?

Please let me hear your thoughts if it were your watch. I appreciate.

[dave023]

Annoying, but let it be... it’s your watch now

Bij een volledig nazicht kan je het nog eens met hen bespreken.

[Lange]

I would listen to them and not do any kind of service to the watch. Don't stress about dings and scratches. They are unavoidable.

[Rocket_Man]

It would help if you pot pictures. Just like a freshly washed car is going to get dirty, a freshly polished watch will get scratches. After 7 years of daily wear I'm sure it is showing wear, it is really up to you if you want it polished up. You could find an independent and get it polished to what ever degree you ask.

[minute_man]

Just let it be. It's not a big deal. Mine says hi.



Seatbelt buckle, first time i drove my car with it on.

[Uhtred59]

I hope that over time the spot grows smaller to your eyes. It is impossible to keep all bumps and bangs from a watch that you actually wear. Besides if you got it fixed today, nothing says you won't get a new scratch in it tomorrow.

[BlackBay]

Thanks for the valuable comments.

What I still don't understand is if you go for an overall case service, will Rolex remove the brushed surface on the lugs and re-do it? Even while these show almost no marks?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Just let it be. It's not a big deal. Mine says hi.

Seatbelt buckle, first time i drove my car with it on.

Isn't it mandatory in Greece?

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Isn't it mandatory in Greece?

Ahem.. With my watch on...

[THerzl]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

Thanks for the valuable comments.

What I still don't understand is if you go for an overall case service, will Rolex remove the brushed surface on the lugs and re-do it? Even while these show almost no marks?

Good question. The 16610 has another kind of brush than the 116610 and I've seen 16610 that got that brush after (unauthorized?) service. It's incorrect and very ugly. 16610 has a more classic brush with sharp crossed lines. While the 116610 has a modern platina kind of brush.

I doubt Rolex will grind down fresh lugs and re-apply the brush. But I would like to get this confirmed too?

[brandrea]

If you give specific instructions not to polish the case they will not.

I get where you're coming from ... Dings on the visible case edges bug me too.

[THerzl]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If you give specific instructions not to polish the case they will not.

I get where you're coming from ... Dings on the visible case edges bug me too.

Maybe the customer wants his bracelet brushed and the case sides polished while leaving the brushed lugs intact?

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If you give specific instructions not to polish the case they will not.

I get where you're coming from ... Dings on the visible case edges bug me too.

Ah man.. it's annoying me every day. Especially when the whole watch is mint.

@THerzl: True. But and I'm afraid the 16610 is a difficult brush to touch up because of the characteristic lines and I think you cannot just pep up that pattern without sanding it down to 0 and re-apply it. This seems much easier on the 116610 as this brush is very consistent and even.



116610 brush seems much simpler to touch up.

[JManuel]

Just like a car, the only way to not have any dings is not using it at all, and that'd be a shame !

[1William]

I would leave the watch alone until it needs a service. If it is running fast that maybe a regulation by a qualified watch tech. Soon enough it will go in and you can make those decisions when it is needed.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would leave the watch alone until it needs a service. If it is running fast that maybe a regulation by a qualified watch tech. Soon enough it will go in and you can make those decisions when it is needed.

Thanks.

[THerzl]

Also, the longer you wait, the better the techniques get. Micro welding is pretty new and maybe suitable for smaller dents in the future

[Iloreyix]

If you have them polish this watch, you will end up chasing the dragon forever.
You have to let go of these little dings.
Yes it’s difficult to do that, but you can’t keep a watch perfect and wear it too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SevenWays]

Shakespearean references are always appropriate.

[Oceanlover914]

I would wait until you get a few more bumps and bruises, especially since it is so small. Nothing like getting it all fixed and then two days later bumping it and putting another tiny mark on it only to begin all over again with the anguish :) Wear it in good health and enjoy the "history" marks.

[Old Geezer]

RSC would diminish the appearance of the ding but won't do so by polishing the watch beyond recognition. I had a similar ding on my TT Sub. At service time RSC polished the watch and the ding was lessened but the chamfers were still clearly defined. Don't trust a local independent to polish your watch.

[Robbyman]

I'd leave it this will leave more metal on the watch should anything else or worse happen and you will still have the original finish.

I bought a 16610 nos from 2010 and have a couple of marks but would not dream of getting it polished.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

RSC would diminish the appearance of the ding but won't do so by polishing the watch beyond recognition. I had a similar ding on my TT Sub. At service time RSC polished the watch and the ding was lessened but the chamfers were still clearly defined. Don't trust a local independent to polish your watch.

Nice to read. Do you have a pic of the damage perhaps? Just really curious. And I indeed won't let thirds the watch.

Originally Posted by Robbyman

I'd leave it this will leave more metal on the watch should anything else or worse happen and you will still have the original finish.

I bought a 16610 nos from 2010 and have a couple of marks but would not dream of getting it polished.

Why not? A light polish after 8-10 years wouldn't really harm, I think?

[jets]

I have a scar that will always be there but I'm still mint

Worry about something more important...be cool about it for all you know you'll go through all the trouble of fixing it and ding it again...possibly

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

Hello friends,

Yesterday I've asked at Rolex Amsterdam and the white-dressed men stressed not to touch this mark as it will need to victimize all the edges. Also they said the mark is too little for laser-welding and the watch is looking too good for an overall grind&polish.



Please let me hear your thoughts if it were your watch. I appreciate.

Turning down work and money, that seems like valid advice coming from an RSC. I'd hold off and live with the nick until the watch really needs servicing.

[ALF61]

This is a hard earned timepiece. Enjoy it and forget about that ding. Look at it as character for the watch and appreciate it. Don´t service the watch it is not necessary. Leave the ammo for another more deserving occasion.

[joli160]

You contacted the right place, the RSC in Koln.
These guys are very good and really don't grind your watch down.
I don't think there is a better place in the EU to sent your watch in.
Part of a regular service is refinishing the case and bracelet.

In Amsterdam there is no RSC, only shops with Rolex trained watchmakers. That is not the same. Not saying that it is no good but why risk anything at all if you can easily go to Rolex yourself in Koln instead of going to Gassan or S&C.
Prices are very similar, no benefit there.
The watchmaker you spoke to did give you sound advice

[Terrakot]

When dings and scratches start again bothering me, I re-read this thread and calmed down
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=558999

[Dirt]

Just get the movement serviced and leave the case as it is. It's in very good shape.

After you've grow up a bit more over the next 7 years or so and learnt to deal with that insignificant ding, you'll be in a better position to make a judgement call about it at the next service.
Who knows, perhaps more laser welding options will present themselves in your life between now and the next service.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by jets

I have a scar that will always be there but I'm still mint

Worry about something more important...be cool about it for all you know you'll go through all the trouble of fixing it and ding it again...possibly

Yes.
A very real possibility indeed.