Scratches are inevitable, but how do you deal with it?

You just have to take a deep breath and accept it, or stop wearing watches.  I have strangely noticed that the more I spend on a watch, the more I seem to ding and scratch it up.

every scratch is a memory. It makes the watch uniquely yours. 

Yes, there are a few scratches and scuffs on some favorites that unfortunately catch my eye all the time, but I push past as I enjoy wearing them more. 

mine is all scratched up as well :) scratches add character 😂

I am not of the virgin cult and know that entropy is life. Things that look new make me feel like school picture day, that something is not lived in and part of me. I also have the mindset that owning or knowing something before it cought on with the masses (or the implication that one long had the means as well as the taste) is a higher goal than eerily pristine stuff.

So, as with a new car, one must quickly pass through that awkward phase where there are only a tiny number of jarring imperfections into the mature stage where they become indistinct. Then have the thing polished and start all over.

I just say to myself oh dam, then move on. It's all part and parcel of owning watches no  matter their cost it's going to happen and we just have to live with it

“Rock it , scratch it, enjoy it“ ; every scratch is like a scar and has a story to tell ✅

Tell me about it, cuz I'm having the same problem with my Santos but I have come to accept it cuz it's what it's and like you said we bought them to wear them not to but them in a safe.

I must object to the claim that "I accidentally banged the watch into a door jamb" is a memory worth preserving, to be honest, and really I don't even know how most damage happened. I just look one day and there's a new mark. When did that happen? Much like one's own bodily aging that regard.

Beautiful watch, but I think you’re going to have to take it on the chin with this one. 
 

As a card holding member of Scratchophobics Anonymous I would only be safe with the ADLC Santos version, which isn’t as slick as yours or the SS only models. 

i try to wear my watch carefully but sometimes ding and scratch happening happens. it always upset to look at it, but i try my best to not to think about it

I am terrified of scratches, I know I have issues but that is the way it is; I'm the same with my car.  It's so bad I only buy watches with sapphire crystals and ceramic bezels because aluminium bezels scratch too easily. Can't they make car body work of sapphire and ceramic? 😀

I get sad for a while 😞 then I remember that nothing lasts forever and I’ve been deluding myself again that this watch would never get scratched and I need to suck it up. 😆

I’ve always been very good about keeping things nice. I don’t really try, or worry about it too much, but almost everything I own still looks nearly new after years of use. But a watch is quite exposed, and occasional scratches do happen. When they do, you just have to accept it. For some reason, I find it easier to accept with things I really like, and plan to keep for the long haul. It’s only the first of many, and will eventually just add to the honest wear that becomes part of a well used possession. 

First… I usually will sit in the corner curse myself out and cry myself to sleep and then when I wake up do the exact same thing and then contemplate on throwing it out and buying a new one…

😂… I joke but it is annoying and yes it gives character but a flawless piece doesn't have character??! I say it gives it more of a character !! Hahaha… ok ok… I guess just shrug it off and get a new one…

It baffles me too! The Santos is my most expensive watch currently in my collection and even though it’s in my daily rotation, it’s the most scratched up piece as compared to my affordable pieces. 

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts. Greatly appreciate it!

I started my watch collecting years ago; my first watch had brushed and polished links which I tried hard to keep pristine.  One day I scuffed my watch and that scuff turned into a few more scratches and at some point in the life of that watch, I realized that I didn't enjoy the watch enough because I was too busy giving a crap about the scratches.  I learned way back when that I would love it a hell of a lot more if I used it more and didn't care.  That changed my perspective of my watch collecting.  I enjoyed that watch a LOT after I changed my mindset.  Years later and with that same mindset, I have several other pieces which I get a lot of joy out of.  The initial scratch or ding gets me at first, but I lose that minor irritation after awhile and go on enjoying.  I still have that first watch...just took it out to look at it and it is so banged up that can no longer really see the different polish and brushed links...BUT the memory of how much I enjoyed wearing it still lingers.  One of my most favorite pieces currently is my Cartier Tank XL Solo and that thing is scratched everywhere, but I totally enjoy wearing it and I think that's what's made me appreciate it more.  

I hope you find some mental advice to help you enjoy your Santos. 

Thank you my friend. I sincerely  appreciate your advice, to get past the irritation and enjoy the watch to its fullest. The comments definitely helped me a lot mentally and I have been enjoying my Santos more lately too. I have accepted that as a watch is worn on the wrist it will get some scars indefinitely. I really do hope this thread helped others who are in the same situation or mindset as I did. Have a great weekend ahead too! 

Hi picked up my Bi-mental Santos large on Saturday and absolutely love it but having the same issue as you re sizing. I have just over 6.5in wrist and seems a bit too tight or really quite loose. My immediate thought was not wanting to prang it if too loose. Did you ever find a good way to resolve sizing or did you just got tight in the end?  Also to contribute to your question specifically in used to get really bothered by scratches but have come to live with if not almost enjoy some of the little scratches as it’s personalisation in its own unique way! Thankfully no huge gouges though as that is slightly different! Thanks 

I went for the tighter fit eventually. Having a looser fit made it rotate arPune my wrist when I am in a cold environment / wrist shrinks. I had sold it as I couldn’t stand the scratches. 

Thanks! Thinking I’m just going to have to get used to it tighter… it’s not awful but would love a half link. Thanks again