Watches are going to get scratched. It’s inevitable so you need to stop worrying about it. You can’t wear something every day and expect it to escape picking up a little wear and tear.
No matter how careful you are, it’s going to happen. Just accept it as a part of life and forget about it, at the end of the day it’s a watch and is to be worn and used. After a while it is going to full of unique character that shows you spent time enjoying the watch.
It’s Natural To Worry About Scratching A Watch
When you get a new watch it’s perfectly natural to worry, that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing, but it’s certainly a natural feeling to have.
Watches can be a lot of money and if it’s your first expensive watch you are going to be very aware of that monetary value just sitting there at the end of your arm.
Watches are also so shiny and perfect when you first unbox them, there is not a finger print in sight. If you are anything like me you probably handle them with extreme care at first. It’s only normal to baby these little shiny, expensive and delicate items when they first arrive.
Think about any other new item you get, like a phone. You always are a little more cautious with them at first, but after a while that feeling will fade and you just use them normally. You need to do the same with your watches. It doesn’t mean you need to stop caring about them, it just means you need to relax a little and not worry so much.
You Can’t Let The Watch Own You
Being over cautious and babying your watch is fine for the first few days, but after this you need to just get on with your life. You can’t go around consciously trying to protect it all day. You will get nothing done as you are constantly going to be on edge.
It is like the watch has control of your life and every decision you make is based around its safety. You can’t let a watch own you in this way!
People who do this end up not wearing the watch as they quickly realise every time they move their arm there is a chance the watch could touch something and pick up a scratch. A watch is made to be worn, not just sat there looking shiny in a watch box. It really is a waste if you are not wearing it.
The only reason you might want to keep a watch in mint condition is if you want to keep it for an investment. However, the second you take the stickers off you have probably lost some future gains. I’m no expert but I am pretty sure buying a watch and never evening opening the box in the hope that it can make you money in the future is one of the worst investment ideas of all time. Just don’t bother. Get the watch out and enjoy it!
The First Scratch On A Watch Will Hurt
No matter how careful you are, your watch is going to pick up a mark at some point and that first one is going to hurt.
I remember the first time I got a scratch on my super cheap Casio. I knew instantly it was scratched as I banged my wrist off a brick wall. My stomach filled with dread as I looked down at the watch to see the damage. It was only a little scratch, but my perfectly beautiful screen was now marked. I will never forget that feeling of extreme anger, disappointment and distress all at the same time.
It was a £16 watch, but it still hurt a lot. I was annoyed for a few days actually, but soon just stopped noticing it and forgot about it. It didn’t change my ability to use the watch.
With any other watch after that I usually feel a little pain when it gets its first scratch, but again, it quickly passes. Once I realise the watch isn’t actually broken I am usually okay and just accept it.
Let Nature Happen
You are going to pick up scratches and dinks. It’s inevitable. Even as I’m sat here now typing, my watch strap is rubbing against the keyboard and at risk of getting scratched. This is a fairly sedentary activity, but there is still that risk. You need to just relax and let nature happen, you can’t stop it.
Most watches are also more robust than you think. Unless you are really pushing them the limits they are not going to smash to a million pieces at the slightest knock.
Most knocks and bumps in everyday life don’t actually leave a mark. The ones that do actually show the watch is robust and that it’s doing its job. Instead of breaking, the casing is showing it is strong enough to only be left with a little scratch.
Of course scratches on the crystal are always the most annoying, but most watches now come with sapphire glass and this is extremely scratch resistant, meaning you shouldn’t really have to worry about your crystal getting damaged.
(You can read more about – How Do Scratches Actually Occur On Your Watch?)
Scratches Build Character On A Watch
All the little scuffs and scratches add character to your watch. They are like scars on your body. They are proof you have worn the watch and lived a life with it.
These marks are also unique to your watch, meaning the watch is now undeniably yours. We could both own the same model, but it will be clear which one is mine and which one is yours.
Each little mark shows your journey and enjoyment with the watch and should be celebrated.
(You can read more about – Why Do Beat Up Vostoks Look Better Than Brand New Ones?)
New Watches Are Too New
I might be a little strange here, but I hate really the look new watches and even new shoes have. I know some people love that pristine condition, but I don’t.
That super mint condition, perfectness is too much for me. Everything seems so bright and shiny and sparkly.
I like when things are slightly broken in. I like it when that new bright sensation calms down and the item just becomes normal.
The only way to get this is to wear your watch (or your shoes). The natural use, along with finger prints and everyday dirt will all help to make them look less new.
You Can’t Protect Everything
Even if you are trying to be careful, something’s you just can’t protect. The case back and the clasp of a bracelet are always going to get scuffed. You really can’t avoid this.
As I’ve said earlier, the only way to full protect your watch is to never wear it, which is a stupid idea.
Just accept that these parts of the watch are going to get some wear and tear faster than other areas. It’s totally normally.
(You can read more about – Frequently Asked Questions About – Scratches On Watches)
Buy Second Hand Watches
If you look at the second hand market you will see it’s totally normal to have marks on watches.
Most watches you buy second hand are already going to come with scratches and scuffs. If you buy vintage you may find the watch is very beat up. All this shows is that the watch was worn and used as intended by the previous owner.
If a watch is a number of years old, it’s only natural that going to have picked up some bumps along the way. It really changes very little about the watch.
Buy A G-Shock
If you are still worried about scratching a watch, buy a G-shock. They are pretty much indestructible and you are really going to struggle to damage it.
They can be run over by a truck and still survive, they have the Guinness world record to prove it.
You can have zero worries about it as you go about your daily life; it can handle it and a lot more.
(you can read more about – Is A G-Shock Worth Buying?)
You Can Fix Scratches On Watches
You can usually reverse a lot of scratches and scuffs, and a lot of this you can do at home.
If you have an acrylic crystal it’s going to get scratched. A little bit of polywash is going to buff most of those away and get you back to perfect in a few minutes. The same goes for finishing, you can usually re-brush or buff out any bracelets or edges that are a little scratched up.
If something is really bad, you can pay some one to buff out the scratches, or even replace the part. You can buy new bracelets and you can buy new crystals. You can even buy new cases. Of course having to pay for these and get them replaced is annoying, but if something happens, you can usually fix it.
(You can read more about – What Do You Do If Your Watch Gets Scratched?)
Conclusion
Just wear your watches. There is no real reason why you should be worried. It’s not going to break and it’s not going to struggle to do its job. Most watches are designed to do a job, like diving in the sea …so why do you think they would suddenly break because the cuff of your jumper rubbed against it.
Maybe if it’s a dress watch, try and keep it more pristine, but even wear on tear on these is perfectly normal.
Just relax and wear your watch, it’s going to be a fine. A little scratch isn’t going to change anything.
(You can read more about – Watch Wearing Mistakes You Should Avoid)
Ian is the main writer at Horology Dream and is a lover all things watch related.
He has been a watch collector for over a decade and brings his knowledge and experience to this site to help you on your own watch collecting journey.
You can connect with him on Social media and talk anything watches or read more about him on his Author Page.
