If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Many questions about my new watch
I got an Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 300M about a month and a half
ago, and I have a couple questions and comments about my experience with it: -Some parts of the watch case and bracelet are rhodium plated. I noticed after a couple days that there were ultra-fine 'scratches', more like 'rainbow reflections' on the rhodium plating. Then after a few weeks, they multiplied into hundreds of very fine scratches, some sort of big, all over the rhodium. They are usually only visible at certain angles, but since there are so many, it really dulls the appearance of the rhodium. I have no idea where the scratches are coming from. I clean the watch weekly in a tub of warm water and mild car wash soap, and a soft toothbrush, followed by drying with cotton terry towels. Why is Rhodium and Stainless Steel (the SS also has MANY scuff marks and scratches) so easy to scratch? The watch almost never touches my clothes or anything else. -How can I get the rhodium looking like new again? Is replating possible if the watch is not ALL rhodium plated? Some parts of the case are rhodium plated, most is bare stainless steel. Also, the bracelet links have little rhodium parts in them. Is this replatable somehow? Does the rhodium get attracted only to other bits of rhodium during the electroplating process? -What is the best way to prevent scratches and clean the watch? I would have no problem using some kind of ultrasound cleaner or what have you. Can ultrasound cleaners be used on mechanical movement watches like this one? This watch also has a sapphire crystal, would it shatter if exposed to ultrasound? -The stainless steel has many scuff marks, can these be buffed out? Part of the bracelet, the clasp, has what looks like laser engraved writing, would buffing it wear down the edges of the writing and make it look softer? -Is there some way I could buff the rhodium and the stainless steel myself and remove the scratches? Maybe a dremel like tool or something with some kind of abrasive compound? Thanks everyone! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
wrote:
I got an Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 300M about a month and a half ago, and I have a couple questions and comments about my experience with it: -Some parts of the watch case and bracelet are rhodium plated. I noticed after a couple days that there were ultra-fine 'scratches', more like 'rainbow reflections' on the rhodium plating. Then after a few weeks, they multiplied into hundreds of very fine scratches, some sort of big, all over the rhodium. They are usually only visible at certain angles, but since there are so many, it really dulls the appearance of the rhodium. I have no idea where the scratches are coming from. I clean the watch weekly in a tub of warm water and mild car wash soap, and a soft toothbrush, followed by drying with cotton terry towels. Why is Rhodium and Stainless Steel (the SS also has MANY scuff marks and scratches) so easy to scratch? The watch almost never touches my clothes or anything else. Both Rhodium and Stainless Steel are a lot softer than the particles in regular dust. The fact that the watch "almost never" touches anything is not good enough. How about that "soft" toothbrush? That scratches it like hell. That's why jewelers use an ultrasonic machine or a steamer to clean jewelry and not a "soft" toothbrush. And how about those cotton terry towels, do you also call that "never touches anything else"? Even rubbing it with your fingers will scratch it. My point is, you are doing a fine job scratching your watch with your tooth brush, the terry cloth, your fingers and anything else that you touch the watch with. And I do mean anything. -How can I get the rhodium looking like new again? Have it repolished. This is rather difficult and time consuming (read costly), because of the way the bracelet is constructed. The watch needs to be taken apart to do this properly. Take a look at http://www.unitedwatchservices.com/. Click on "services". Then click on "see sample" under "Renew and Repolishing" Then click on "Men's Omega" Does this watch look familiar to you? I strongly advice you, that until your watch looks as scratched and abused as the one in the picture do not bother with having it repolished. BTW, United Watch Services is my next door neighbor, so I am rather familiar with the process. ? Is replating possible if the watch is not ALL rhodium plated? Some parts of the case are rhodium plated, most is bare stainless steel. Also, the bracelet links have little rhodium parts in them. Is this replatable somehow? Sure, just show me the money. We love customers like you. Actually we do not, because after a few weeks you'll be back complaining that the watch is scratched again even though "almost nothing ever touches it". Except your tooth brush and those terry cloth towels of course. Does the rhodium get attracted only to other bits of rhodium during the electroplating process? -What is the best way to prevent scratches Place the watch in a dust proof case, and never take it out. Never touch it with anything at all. Just look at it. Treat it as if it were in a museum. Most definitely, do not wear it. Wearing it is the surest way to scratch it. and clean the watch? I would have no problem using some kind of ultrasound cleaner or what have you. Pointless if you decide to wear the watch. Can ultrasound cleaners be used on mechanical movement watches like this one? Sure, go ahead. This watch also has a sapphire crystal, would it shatter if exposed to ultrasound? That would have to be one hell of an ultrasonic cleaner. -The stainless steel has many scuff marks, can these be buffed out? Yes. Part of the bracelet, the clasp, has what looks like laser engraved writing, would buffing it wear down the edges of the writing and make it look softer? Yes, especially if you do this often enough. -Is there some way I could buff the rhodium and the stainless steel myself and remove the scratches? Sure, we love guys like you. Then when you fail, we make more money trying to fix what you screwed up. In all seriousness, you can do this yourself. Just make sure that you get the proper equipment first, as well as the proper training to gain the knowledge how to polish stainless steel, as well as how to do this without destroying your watch. Maybe a dremel like tool or something with some kind of abrasive compound? Dremel tool? That is not the proper equipment I was talking about. Abrasive compound? I thought you wanted to remove the scratches. Thanks everyone! You're welcome. One piece of advice. Just wear and enjoy your new watch and get over it, that it is getting scratched. That is perfectly normal. The only substance in the world that does not get scratched is a diamond. Everything else gets scratched. Just get over it. Abrasha http://www.abrasha.com |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
wrote in message
... I got an Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 300M about a month and a half ago, and I have a couple questions and comments about my experience with it: -Some parts of the watch case and bracelet are rhodium plated. I noticed after a couple days that there were ultra-fine 'scratches', more like 'rainbow reflections' on the rhodium plating. Then after a few weeks, they multiplied into hundreds of very fine scratches, some sort of big, all over the rhodium. They are usually only visible at certain angles, but since there are so many, it really dulls the appearance of the rhodium. I have no idea where the scratches are coming from. I clean the watch weekly in a tub of warm water and mild car wash soap, and a soft toothbrush, followed by drying with cotton terry towels. Why is Rhodium and Stainless Steel (the SS also has MANY scuff marks and scratches) so easy to scratch? The watch almost never touches my clothes or anything else. -How can I get the rhodium looking like new again? Is replating possible if the watch is not ALL rhodium plated? Some parts of the case are rhodium plated, most is bare stainless steel. Also, the bracelet links have little rhodium parts in them. Is this replatable somehow? Does the rhodium get attracted only to other bits of rhodium during the electroplating process? -What is the best way to prevent scratches and clean the watch? I would have no problem using some kind of ultrasound cleaner or what have you. Can ultrasound cleaners be used on mechanical movement watches like this one? This watch also has a sapphire crystal, would it shatter if exposed to ultrasound? -The stainless steel has many scuff marks, can these be buffed out? Part of the bracelet, the clasp, has what looks like laser engraved writing, would buffing it wear down the edges of the writing and make it look softer? -Is there some way I could buff the rhodium and the stainless steel myself and remove the scratches? Maybe a dremel like tool or something with some kind of abrasive compound? Thanks everyone! Have you considered asking your jeweller to make a satin or matte finish on the watch? It will still scratch, but scratches will be much less visible. It's not really a great sollution cause the watch would look somewhat different, but if you don't tolearte scratches... I'm also like that, love to keep things brand new. But it's best to learn to enjoy things instead of searching for microscopic scratches:-) By the way, when you polish a metal's surface it's scratched right away (cause polishing is "done by scratching") but scratches are so little that you don't even notice. Regards! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Question -- Benrus Watch | [email protected] | Jewelry | 0 | January 3rd 05 08:37 AM |
Peyote Watchband Questions | Diana Curtis | Beads | 19 | October 11th 04 05:34 PM |
The ten questions I want you to answer | Jalynne | Beads | 19 | June 22nd 04 08:58 PM |
AD: Watch Faces | Marisa Exter | Beads | 2 | April 15th 04 09:59 PM |
How Do I Fix My Watch Battery? | Stephanie | Jewelry | 11 | October 14th 03 04:22 PM |