I just got myself a new one. I looked at it under bright light & the fine scratches are only easy to spot from about 6 inches under a mobile torch, preferably in a dark room, so pretty much unotticeable otherwise day to day. I think the cheaper GSeikos are like a gateway drug to the more expensive models, like every GS you own is better & more expensive than the last. This one cost me 1375 pounds half price. Which was an upgrade on an early 2000s sport model with lume, 8f model, lovely but too small.