Scratched Up

Depends entirely on the watch. My beaters wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I'd cry if I scratched my best ones....

In my case, it shows that I can't be trusted with nice things😭

If you wear it then it's gonna get scratched and dinged eventually unless wear long sleeves exclusively and lead an extremely sedentary lifestyle.

A watch that is worn, but remains in excellent condition shows it was well cared for by an owner who valued it.

Found a ding on my alumnium bezel last week and my heart sank. Proceeded to wear a G-shock for 2 days.

Just got around to putting the dinged watch on my wrist again, it's not as noticeable(i assume), and it's my daily watch, but it still hurts.

Definitely shows that you love the watch, and put miles in it... but what what point is it "too much love?"

I guess I agree with the notion that scratches show a watch that’s “lived” a fulfilling life. I don’t necessarily see it as a badge of honor though, just that it wasn’t a safe queen.

I'm trying to sell my car, and I'm telling people that the deep scratches & dings are a "badge of honour."

The car remains unsold.

Right now 70% of people agree. That’s a bit surprising to me but I’m with you. My favorites have the most wear on them. Maybe I’ll run another poll to see at what price point people stop agreeing!

Depends,I'd most likely losse my shit..

That doesn’t mean it’s not lightly scratched up though. Can still be well loved and cared for but it’s next to impossible to keep a watch pristine if you actually intend to embrace the one use case of a watch — actually wearing it.

Since I don't sell watches and don't quite understand why it's ok to restore classic cars to pristine condition but not watches but appreciate meaningful/ historical wear, I am undecided.

Basically, I don't mind taking a light polish (or polywatch) to remove every day wear (I don't need to remember that I scratched my BB GMT on the toilet door of my old office) BUT if my personal watch got a ding from some meaningful experience like when my 85 year old Dad gave my brand new Speedy a good whack with his fork at dinner after hearing me drone on and on about how many tests it passed to qualify for the Apollo program, I would probably leave that alone.

Needless to say, I don't value someone else's meaningful or less meaningful dings unless they were significant (earned in some significant event or worn by a historic person).

I think I'm a bit more pragmatic. Don't see them as badges of honor or "well-loved." To me they're just signs of use-- and hopefully enjoyed in the process.

Wear them everywhere, all the time. I have no fear with my watch, I have no preciousness, but I do have an object of deep personal significance that is full of memories and stories that is recognizable as My Watch. When I'm gone my kids will look at pictures of me and see my watch, they'll have countless memories of me wearing my watch. Money is one thing, how much does fear cost? Make memories not regrets, not what if's, don't live tomorrow or yesterday live today.

A man. A tractor. A Rolex.

Title of your memoir.

Wear can add some characterful, but in isolation it’s not always great.