Comments:
I got it from an AD in London double sealed, which makes the marks on the bracelet all the more peculiar. I have contacted Patek directly to determine what could be done about it as it could have been caused during bracelet assembly. I'm struggling to see how the exact same scratch marks could be caused in these places by the watchmaker when resizing the bracelet (the scratches are in between the non removable links higher up towards the watch case). Hope to find a solution.
Nautilus Peculiar Scratches
Hi All,
This message has been edited by earljam2 on 2013-10-02 05:21:11
I had purchased a brand new double sealed 5711 from an AD in London recently and had the bracelet resized at the AD.
However, a couple of days later i noticed scratches on the link closest to the watch case - it looks as though something has run sharply against it. Upon closer inspection, I noticed another two of these types of scratches in between the very small gaps in the links i.e. on top of the polished center link.
I am confused as to how these could have gotten there. What type of tool does a watchmaker use to remove these pins as I can not think of any other explanation other than some carelessness in removing the links and the watchmaker somehow managed to get the tip of the tool perfectly in between the links to scratch them from the top.
Some time has passed now since I bought the watch however these scratches are still bothering me because they were not caused by myself and given where they are (in between the non-removable links), I worry that even during routine servicing/polishing it will not be possible to remove them (other than the scratch that you can see in the picture as it is an accessible scratch.
What do you guys think?
Apologies for the poor picture quality
This message has been edited by earljam2 on 2013-10-02 05:21:11
Hi Earljam, nasty thing those scratches. It hurts!!
Have you already spoken to your AD. Ask him for a solution. You did not make those scratches in between the lugs.Succes!!
All the best, Bobbe
I guess the watchmaker
is adjusting the bracelet next to the deployment buckle...
Sad issue. But Nautilus is a watch that gets easily scratched. If you wear it. So I would just wear the watch for 3-5 years and on first service ask them to polish both the case and the bracelet.
Best, Kari
Did you already speak ...
to your AD or did you buy it while travelling (overseas)?
What do you expect from us, since it is your first post?
By the way, superb watch. Congrats!
Best,
Oliver
What do you expect from us, since it is your first post?
By the way, superb watch. Congrats!
Best,
Oliver
Thank you all for the responses.
I'm just confused as to how scratches made their way in between the small gaps between the non removable links and how this could have happened at the hands of the watchmaker and his tools if that is indeed the case. These scratches just look like something got caught in between the links and sharply moved across them. Surely this could not have been a Patek QC oversight?
I would also like to know given that the other few scratches (of the same type as the one in the pic) are located on the top side of the polished center pieces (in between) the links and seem to me to be inaccessible, how would a service centre be able to polish them out come service time without having to dismantle the bracelet?
Yes.
I got it from an AD in London double sealed, which makes the marks on the bracelet all the more peculiar. I have contacted Patek directly to determine what could be done about it as it could have been caused during bracelet assembly. I'm struggling to see how the exact same scratch marks could be caused in these places by the watchmaker when resizing the bracelet (the scratches are in between the non removable links higher up towards the watch case). Hope to find a solution.
all the more reason
to avoid sealed watches. PP must be the only brand that people spend big bucks on an unopened item. It makes sense to me to kick the tires and take it for a spin before forking over the money. If you are going to wear the watch whats the difference anyway. Open it in the store, if its damaged do not take it, end of story. Why the Company allows it Agents to deliver factory sealed watches to retail customers makes no sense to me. It just creates problems such as this, where the watch is sold and the paperwork signed. As good as PP is in quality control, the dealer is the last person in the chain to deliver the watch and ensure it is in perfect working order and condition eliminating any questions of how things arose or happened and bad press on the internet.
Agree 100%
This is by far one of the most intelligent posts I've read in a long while.
Me too
I have the same issue on my 5711. Scratches look identical to yours in the same exact spot on the bracelet. I noticed it after about a month and just got used to it. Now nine months later I dont notice it but I never new if it came that way or its a wearing issue. Either way Im sure it will go away at service time.
Picture
Earljam2 asked the same at another forum and I posted this picture (which I got from Patek magazine), it looks very possible the scratch was caused by Patek during the setting the bracelet pieces.
I have seen these types of marks before and think
it is not uncommon on steel pieces. The process of striking the link and finishing coupled with the handling during and the actual assembly process could very easily have caused these marks.
I think, far to often, there is a level of absolute perfection we expect to see and when a piece is examined closely, small things, and I hesitate to use the term defects, are noticed which makes you think someone slipped up along the way. I have put pieces through a loupe and under a microscope and there are always small things which I could point out. It's just not sterile and always perfect as my mind wants it.
Obviously, this is bothersome and the best remedy is to have Patek take care of it for you.