Comments:
I had the same problem with a Svend Andersen Worldtime Chronograph. The deep scar on a lug was "inherited" when I bought the watch. This damage did not deter me because I knew that local repairs by laser welding are easy when a specialist handles it. This welding is possible with most materials (gold, stainless steel etc.). Buying a watch in this condition was thus preferred to getting one prepared for sale with extensive polishing.
Can Rolex fix this ding near the crown guard? I know it's there and it's bother me a little
I was lifting my hand and hit it on a metal table.
I'd leave it... I think it lends some character
A case can always come back looking a lot worse after a bad polish job.
I know you know it's there, but fortunately it is on the 12 o'clock side of the stem and it is low, near the case back, making it seldom seen. Personally, it would bother me too, until I
realized it is minor, down low, on the 12 side of the stem and seldom seen. In other words, let it go, you're going to get another ding at some point. Sorry for your ding though.
you've made you mark and now it is officially yours...
a "unique" piece and don't worry about it just enjoy the watch to its fullest. /W72
The way I feel, Polishing will “destroy” the whole case, and is clearly visible
whereas a heavy tool watch getting some marks over time is just a natural thing.
When I bought my second hand Millgauss, picked the unpolished scratched one in stead of a freshly polished one.
Suggest u leave it.. 🙂
Only bothersome for a short period of time
I should show u how “beaten” my Sub is
Cheers
Micro Laser Welding can help enthusiasts not enjoying a mangled case
I had the same problem with a Svend Andersen Worldtime Chronograph. The deep scar on a lug was "inherited" when I bought the watch. This damage did not deter me because I knew that local repairs by laser welding are easy when a specialist handles it. This welding is possible with most materials (gold, stainless steel etc.). Buying a watch in this condition was thus preferred to getting one prepared for sale with extensive polishing.
Theoretically, over-polished cases could be restored by this method. The excess weld material is polished off by traditional methods (lapping grinder machine, e.g.), which means the specialist must also master these techniques and have an eye for the original features of a case. In my experience it is far too risky to entrust big brands with such restoration work, not the least because the communication is too complicated (via AD etc.) to keep it under control as customer. For me, it is important that such repair/restoration work is limited to the essentials. Otherwise I could end up with a watch where the "patina" from use and age of different parts is no longer matching.
I am happy with the repair work on my Andersen and enjoy the sympathetically refreshed watch much more than looking at a scarred one.
Björn
IMHO
1. Let it be, if it’s not too visible. Yes, it perhaps hurts at the beginning. But the case is made for protecting the movement. It’s natural that it will get scratches and dents.
2. If you can’t stand it: try it with laser treatment.
I got a very remarkable, very visible cut in my new DD40 just a few days after buying. It was on the side of the case (I crashed it against the edge of a wall while rushing from one meeting to the other). The watchmaker of my AD did a fabulous job. Even with a magnifying glass I’m not able to find the place, where the cut has been. And the form of the case has kept untouched.
Best, Thomas
2. If you can’t stand it: try it with laser treatment.
I got a very remarkable, very visible cut in my new DD40 just a few days after buying. It was on the side of the case (I crashed it against the edge of a wall while rushing from one meeting to the other). The watchmaker of my AD did a fabulous job. Even with a magnifying glass I’m not able to find the place, where the cut has been. And the form of the case has kept untouched.
Best, Thomas
So general opinion is to leave it alone
I will. When I service it I'll have Rolex clean it all up in 5 years and however it comes back is the way it shall be!