Black marks on skin from gold Rolex!

[Oyster99]

Hello TRF-friends.

This weekend i got the chance to try out a two tone gmt master. Lovely watch only i found out i got black marks on the side of my wrist. I wear a stainless steel watch as a daily so it might be my skin's reaction to the gold.

Anyone familiar with this and what might be the cause? Here's a bad picture i took.

Thanks in advance!
Also i added in a wristshot

[padi56]

Try giving the bracelet a good wash in soap and water dry after on any clean cotton cloth.

[Verdi]

It's dirt stuck on the bracelet.

Give your watch a wash. Warm water, soap and a soft toothbrush.

[mjclark32]

Yeah, I think it's just dirty

[Oyster99]

Funny thing is. I cleaned it before it went into storage and before i put it on. But no other possibilities?


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[Star Ferry]

some people have a nickel allergy, but they wouldn't have issues with 18K gold. it's just dirt/grime

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by padi56

Try giving the bracelet a good wash in soap and water dry after on any clean cotton cloth.

100% solid advice. That is the culprit.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by Verdi

It's dirt stuck on the bracelet.

Give your watch a wash. Warm water, soap and a soft toothbrush.

I doubt it's dirt. I get this from my SubC too when I do yard work or run or hike with it. I'm pretty sure it has to do with perspiration and Nickel sensitivity. I scrub my SubC with a nail brush, soap and warm water after every heavy session, yet this happens every time.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

some people have a nickel allergy, but they wouldn't have issues with 18K gold. it's just dirt/grime

18K gold is only 75% gold, so it could be sensitivity to one of the other elements in the alloy, most probably Nickel. I doubt it would be an allergy, because that would result in redness and itching, so it is probably just a mild sensitivity, but enough to cause the superficial skin blackness. There is a great post about this on another forum, but I have been pipped by mods over there for linking to other watch forums, so I'd rather not do that here unless advised it's OK.

[Jeffwb65]

Unless it's irritated and itchy, it's just dirt from between the links. Wash the watch and bracelet, wash the arm. Done. If You put most daily worn watches into an ultrasonic cleaner, You'd be flabbergasted how much dirt comes off.

[77T]

The pattern I saw in your pic suggests that the SS was reacting. The gold center link area was not apparently reacting - judging from the darker marks at the places the bracelet's perimeter was in contact.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

18K gold is only 75% gold, so it could be sensitivity to one of the other elements in the alloy, most probably Nickel. I doubt it would be an allergy, because that would result in redness and itching, so it is probably just a mild sensitivity, but enough to cause the superficial skin blackness. There is a great post about this on another forum, but I have been pipped by mods over there for linking to other watch forums, so I'd rather not do that here unless advised it's OK.

/\ This /\


My mother cannot wear gold due to the above.

[Cru Jones]

when i get these marks with my SS submariner, i know it's time to give the watch a good cleaning. the marks don't appear again afterwards (for a while).

[Etschell]

It's black gold! Jk wash your watch or ultrasonic clean the bracelet.

[Jellitod]

I think it's just dirt

[adawil2002]

Just dirt, get this on my wrist after wearing any watch for period of time without removing it, especially after mowing the lawn.

[MonsterSS]

its a dirty, dirty watch. No pun intended LOL

[BBL]

Originally Posted by 77T

The pattern I saw in your pic suggests that the SS was reacting. The gold center link area was not apparently reacting - judging from the darker marks at the places the bracelet's perimeter was in contact.

I think 77T's observation warrants consideration. I had one watch cause a reaction (redness and itchiness), so Oyster99's condition may be a result (even if partially) of a metal sensitivity.

DM

[goldfixer21]

It's absolutely dirt. The gold center links are hollow and trap a lot of dirt. 18 karat alloys typically contain less than 1% nickel, so unless you have a severe allergy to nickel, that's not causing it.

[goldfixer21]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

I doubt it's dirt. I get this from my SubC too when I do yard work or run or hike with it. I'm pretty sure it has to do with perspiration and Nickel sensitivity. I scrub my SubC with a nail brush, soap and warm water after every heavy session, yet this happens every time.

You will never remove all of the dirt from the band with a toothbrush at home. Take it to a reputable jeweler and have them clean the band, and ultrasonic cleaner is the only way to remove everything

[BBL]

Originally Posted by BBL

I think 77T's observation warrants consideration. I had one watch cause a reaction (redness and itchiness), so Oyster99's condition may be a result (even if partially) of a metal sensitivity.

DM

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

It's absolutely dirt. The gold center links are hollow and trap a lot of dirt. 18 karat alloys typically contain less than 1% nickel, so unless you have a severe allergy to nickel, that's not causing it.

I agree with you goldfixer21, and others who responded, about the 'dirt', but the redness that 77T pointed out, is mainly the subject of my post (since I had a similar experience). Cheers.. DM

[BBQ BOY]

It's happened to me as well once or twice. Wash it and dry it.

[kilyung]

Use an ultrasonic. You'll be surprised how much dirt comes out.

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by Oyster99

Funny thing is. I cleaned it before it went into storage and before i put it on. But no other possibilities?


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My guess is you missed some spots. Try targeting the areas on the watch that were in contract with your skin where the marks are. Maybe even take the bracelet off and put it in a ultrasonic cleaner if the stuff is coming out of hard to reach places?

[Oyster99]

Thank you very much for all the comments! I will ultra sonic clean it and it doesnt itch so most likely just dirt. Cheers


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[DanielK]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

18K gold is only 75% gold, so it could be sensitivity to one of the other elements in the alloy, most probably Nickel.

No 18ct Yellow Gold mix I have ever heard of uses nickel, in fact, I doubt even 9ct Yellow Gold would use it. White Gold used to use nickel but it has been frowned upon for many years now and not allowed to be sold in the EU anymore. I SERIOUSLY doubt Rolex White Gold would use nickel, especially since they mix it in house.

As someone else noted, the pattern suggests that it's the steel doing this. I've had this on my SS sub before and my wife's SS DJ back when we had them and it almost exclusively came immediately after washing them. I think it was something to do with not rinsing them properly (leftover soap reacting with steel and sweat?) as it stopped happening when I started brushing with a toothbrush during the rinse process.

I've NEVER had it on any of the gold models...

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Oyster99

Thank you very much for all the comments! I will ultra sonic clean it and it doesnt itch so most likely just dirt. Cheers

FYI. Do NOT ultrasonic the head. Just the bracelet!

[Oyster99]

Originally Posted by kilyung

FYI. Do NOT ultrasonic the head. Just the bracelet!

Interesting, what will it do to the head? As i've done that with multiple Datejusts before with no problem.


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[breitlings]

with all due respect... how certain are you that the Rolex is real?

[LuminousMaximus]

It may be polishing compound left in between the links from the previous Owner, or seller. It needs ultra-sonic cleaning