How to deal with scratches on your new watch

[@Chincolipe]

I just hit my brand new watch and I needed this words. I’m just entering to this world and now I understand that this machines shows you the time passing by, the dings and scruffs are part of the process. Gracias!!!

[@DadCoreDane]

I totally agree with you. How deal with scratches. 1) look at the scratch 2) Remember what you did when you scratched the watch. 3)smile/cry 4) congratulations, you now have memories attached to your watch.

[@rmak87]

“We don’t live our life to buy watches, we buy watches to live our lives.” Wow. What a beautiful philosophical message I needed hear as I collected my first few painful scratches/scars on my new de santos for the first time 😢😂. I needed this video. Thank you.

[@gmensing3006]

I was trying to be nice about what he said... but I now feel compelled to tell you and him that the statement is not at all profound and borderline nonsensical.

[@decacrimie]

Lol right? It makes no sense at all.@@gmensing3006

[@walkerb1734]

My dog did the same thing to my new Rolex Sub. His metal chain got looped around my wrist and when he took off to run the chain grated across my watch leaving a horrible scratch(es) on the case. I was devastated for months. But learned to live with it and even ignore it. 10 years later I sent my watch in to the Rolex Service Center and it came back looking brand new. Moral of the story…..forget all the scratches and enjoy life with your trusty companion on your wrist. These watches are tougher than all of us and will certainly be here long after we’re gone.

[@Julianvanderheijden]

Really well said.. this should be a commercial for watches in general. This is brilliant.

[@chevalierdesangreal]

I used to own several luxury items that never left their boxes because I was to afraid that it would get scratches and such then realized I'm not a collector of these beautiful pieces, I bought them cause I wanted to wear and enjoy them. Lately I've been more in touch with the fact that I could die today and all these items have been sitting there and I've barely used them. Not only was this a waste of my money but I did not get joy from items that I geniunly purchased cause I loved them. A week ago I purchased the most beautiful item of my collection it's a gold ring that I am dedicated to wear every single day cause seing it with scratches makes me happier than it sitting in the box. It's already scratched a tiny bit but I'm not obssessing over it, I get compliments on it that I wouldn't get if I wasn't wearing it, I'm not fishing for the compliments but when they come my way the interraction I have with people asking about it brings human value to it that balances any upsets about it getting scratched. This ring also has a spiritual significance to me hence why I am dedicated to wearing it every day and reason why I agree with every scratches it gets is a part of my own experience. As long as I don't fully wreck that ring by dropping it on concrete or banging it against something that leaves an actual dent in the ring or its motif, the scratches are fine.

[@udithishanka3521]

you changed the whole look the way I look at my watches, thank you for your wisdom

[@burbinghard]

Glad to help you along your watch collecting journey. 🙏🏻

[@robrobertson1458]

Almost the same thing happened to me. I bought an Omega Seamster Aqua Terra and on the second day the carabiner on the dog leash hit the case and made an ugly dent. At first I was incredibly annoyed. I went to an Omega boutique the following day to see if there was anything they could do. But the saleswoman just laughed and showed me her Omega with scratches and said: now you have your personal one-off!

[@burbinghard]

She gets it too! Enjoy it!

[@w32crazydev]

scratched a brand new grand seiko today.. 5000 dollar watch but the feeling was the same with you.. i little upset for a little bit but we buy watches to live our life. After all our 30k cars have far more scratches but we still enjoy them :)

[@burbinghard]

Exactly. Wear it in good health.

[@dr3ssxX]

Cant agree more! My first luxury watch was an explorer that i have bad for 10 years and is fully scratched… it only reminds me about great vibes we had together. Keep it up man!

[@burbinghard]

That’s a perfect watch to take along on life’s adventures!

[@steelsteez6118]

You have a very strong and healthy mindset! Amazing outlook on life.

[@burbinghard]

Very kind to say Steel Steez 🙏🏻

[@darontan1]

Thank you for sharing that liberating message. I always admired gears that patina or worn looks better than the advertisement pictures. May yours be worn in the best of health always.

[@burbinghard]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@SaurabhNigam-f6s]

What an awesome take...I scratched my brand new Tissot and was feeling bad but post seeing ur video, I got a new perspective :)

[@MNMNT_OG]

I love that you said "I owned my first scratch". I tend to be really perfectionist and even OCD about scratches, dents and stuff like that, especially when it comes to my computer and consoles. Today I noticed screw marks on my graphics card, probably bc I made them fit too tightly. I went back and forth in my head, telling me that they probably were there before or that the manufacturer must have caused it. At some point, I realized all this sugarcoating actually made me feel worse, because it added insecurity. When did it happen? Was it my fault? So I asked myself, what if I did cause this today, if it was preventable and I simply messed up? And I realized not only that it doesn't matter a bit, but also that those imperfections make something personal, which is much more perfect than any definition of flawlessness that has to be maintained in a stressful way. It reminded me that it's me who owns those things, my PC, my graphics card, my devices, not the other way around. Shit happens, there's no need to lie to myself. I probably caused the marks, I probably caused the scratches, I OWN THEM. Once I took responsibility for it and just accepted that mistakes happen and are not only inevitable, but also desirable, the tension fell off and I felt happy again.

[@burbinghard]

Well done accepting!

[@123ClassicRock]

Great video on a touchy topic! I picked up a Black Bay GMT from my local AD and had a steel gate close on it that day. It left a couple of deep scratches in the side of the case and on the bracelet. At first I was upset but it encouraged me to wear it when I normally wouldn’t wear a nice watch since it was already scratched. Since then it has gained many more battle scars and I barely even notice the first ones 😄

[@burbinghard]

Exactly. It’s all part of the process. Congratulations on the Tudor GMT. I love mine!

[@lenworth11]

Enjoyable & enjoyable video .. thanks. It's also the way I feel about these things ...

[@rifkyiman9687]

Very wiseee...... that the same feelling when I got my first scratch on my brand new aquaracer. But I embrace with this words. Thx bro

[@burbinghard]

Tag is a great tool watch to collect scratches!

[@In5an1tyB]

Got a visible scratch on my watch face, too. Looking at it always brings up fond memories of a beautiful and solid metal shelf in the storeroom at my workplace.

[@adamw7411]

I have scratched my invicta just recently and know how you guys are feeling

[@tigerwoodsii]

Thanks for the video! I just had a small scratch on my omega aqua terra today while accidentally bumping against the side of a wall. Was feeling abit upset about it but now I think these scratches are just part of life.

[@burbinghard]

Absolutely 👍🏻 that’s a great watch!

[@kswaminathan5439]

Very true. We don't live our lives to buy watches. Nothing lasts forever, not even our lives. So why worry about small scratches? If you look thru a microscope, even a brand new watch will have some finishing deficiencies. There is a video showing many imperfections when looking at expensive watches thru a microscope. There are far more beautiful things to look at than only watches.

[@HiralPatel007]

Man I know the feeling of that first nick or scratch...its hits deep in the gut, after a while you learn to accept it and move on.

[@Tnek612]

Thanks for sharing. I’m one of those ocd, perfectionist type of collector… I always baby my first Rolex datejust from my wedding and I kept it prestine for 2 years… but I got a ding on the bezel when I was holding my new born on a brick wall … not gonna lie it really bothered me but to your point, I’m glad it was from my interaction with my son that caused the first ding.. made my watch more personal.

[@burbinghard]

What a perfect memory! Never regret the pain and sacrifices we make for raising our kin! Even if the sacrifice is damage to your wrist watch 😊

[@jroobz]

My bb58 bracelet is covered in scratches. It gets me down sometimes but also it makes my watch completely unique

[@giancarloroncato8910]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding watch scratches ! I was in Nara japan for the first time and my arm was hit by a deer and the sapphire crystal of my watch was scratched(It was my first luxury watch). For the first moment, I´ve goot way too upsed , but after a while, I noticed that It´s only a watch and In the future I will rember my first time visiting japan when looking at this scratch!!!

[@Sams911]

I literally picked up my new Rolex 126715CHNR "Root Beer" GMT II from my AD after almost a 2 year wait... and as I'm walking out the front door, I bang it again the door!!! To my total shock, I noticed no dings and / or scratches (at first inspection)... but when I looked more carefully later, I noticed the ever smallest ding in the side of my clasp... I almost wanted to go back and pay them to replace the clasp... (probably costs $3000+ just for the part)... But yes, that was the first of many scratches... I'll just deal with it, like you are.

[@burbinghard]

Congratulations. Wear it in good health.

[@PhantomBuster]

Very wise words. Got a new watch today and ended up bumping it against a doorhandle within a couple of hours of putting it on my wrist, left a faint mark on the casing. Basically, it had to happen at some point. Might as well happen now!

[@burbinghard]

Exactly. It’s yours now!

[@baze3SC]

At least it set you free and you can now enjoy your watch to the full. Maybe you would just spend a year being paranoid but at some point it would happen anyway.

[@Czeron01]

I got a scratch on the bezel of my brand new explorer a couple of weeks after getting it. That day i was a bit sad, but shortly after i kind of forgot about it and now it's just part of the history of the watch.

[@edk2221]

I have watches in many price tiers, and yet I still cry when I scratch a Seiko bezel. I gotta get over it. You’re totally right

[@burbinghard]

We’re all in this together 😂

[@federicopedata2950]

Agree absolutely with you… I have the same Cartier santos in medium size and love it. Sea , gym no problem with him and I have also DOXA carbon, Omega seamaster 300 and other… you have to use watches not keep them in the box👏

[@burbinghard]

Exactly

[@tricky92x]

Nice collection! Very similar to mine... except I have the Doxa Sub 300 Professional.

[@Cmm4626]

I had a few too many and decided to compare my new Oceanus to a cheaper bambino on my wrist simultaneously. Neglected to think stainless steal will scratch titanium. Yes its not a super expensive luxary watch, but it was my first semi expensive watch and the finish on it compares to that of Grand Sieko its reaaally shiny and pretty. I was a bit sad but I came to the same conclusion as this man. Our watches tell a story that only we can interpret and they are meant to be worn and go through life with us. More scuffs and memories to come.

[@burbinghard]

An experienced watch collector once said “never use a loupe on a watch you already own.” 😂

[@mujtabafaisal4671]

Today i scratched crystal of my new watch wearing first time. My whole day got reiuned. But watching your vedio made me relax. That watches are made for wearing and scratches doesn't matter. Scratches are memorys for you.

[@burbinghard]

Watches can be over polished, and the polishing process is expensive when done right. Crystals are pretty easy to change and sapphire glass can be had for $40 (last time I did a crystal swap).

[@seanrobinson9854]

Well said Burbinghard, but a scratch in one day? lol. I totally agree, that watches hold the memories of each mark you make on them. I've had my Santos for 2 weeks now, and have a mark on my bezel, but unfortunately don't remember bumping it against anything to get the mark. Even better than the memory of how I got that mark, will be the story I plan on telling when people ask about it. There will be some jumping, flying, falling, in the story, regardless I will always love my watch

[@burbinghard]

Oh that scratch right there? That’s from when I survived a shark attack 😂

[@smoll.miniatures]

"The things you own, end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything."

[@Wetangle]

I have brand new vintage watches from 70s which i cant wear as they can never be replaced in same condition, so couldn't bear scratching them up 😭

[@robynsjp]

I wear a 1967 Speedy. Scratched with patina and aged tritium. The magic of organic watches.

[@burbinghard]

I bet it’s beautiful. I love vintage watches that have a uniformed scratch pattern!

[@kelvinwong829]

Needed to hear this! Thanks

[@ami5975]

Tq for sharing. I needed that. 😊

[@burbinghard]

🙏🏻 my pleasure

[@carminecupani2315]

You make a lot of sense. Thx

[@ticktology]

Great video & perspective. WEAR YOUR WATCHES! 👌😎

[@ChefTom777]

I will not buy a watch that i am too afraid to use & get scratched up because of its price.. that is why I have a price bracket from 15 dollars up to under 700 dollars.. I wont go higher than 700 bucks.. I also believe that watches are meant to be worn & not be an investment.. this great advice my friend

[@burbinghard]

There are a lot of great pieces in that range too!

[@davidhabjanic3032]

Great mindset bro 💪👍

[@burbinghard]

Thanks David!

[@danger.will.robinson]

Great vid Burbles! 🍻

[@jamesmorrison1166]

When the dog's gone someday, that will remind you of him/her.

[@burbinghard]

I know. The scratch actually makes it harder emotionally to sell the piece on now😂

[@richardhead2318]

Each scratch is a scratch to one’s soul.

[@mbell7498]

I made the first scratches on my Aqua Terra Skyfall with my nephew. I opened a door for him and I hit the door with the watch. Two small scratches on the bezel that only I can see. For the record, the watch is brand new from an authorized dealer, but it was the last piece and they gave me a 30% discount. Can't complain too much.

[@burbinghard]

No good deed goes unpunished I guess. Congrats!

[@frankv7068]

😭 I hear you but damn it, it still hurts! I can’t get over my damn scratch on my Omega Seamaster Co-Axial 300

[@burbinghard]

I know 😔

[@palfor0]

The whole reason I buy luxury watches is because I know the company will be around to re-finish it or perfectly replace the parts during servicing or earlier. Be comfy until next service and have the option to fix it later. I like my microbrands too, but for those I’ll just buy another watch if they get dinged up bad

[@AndreiCristt]

Your video was the exact video I wanted to see right now because I am a bit angry, and a wise guy say the right words to make me understand something that I already know😄. But needed somehow a confirmation from a guy like you😎😉 and now, I got it. Great words my man, right song on the background and a good vision of life and what watches and time really represent by the way. Have only one question if you could be kind to answer and be honest. You're a rich man that doesn't care too much about them because you could replace them anytime you want (see you got a Range too) --- or --- you're just NOT A PERFECTIONIST guy when it comes to watches or anything new came to your life and need to be careful with it for some time. Salut 🥃🥃 !

[@burbinghard]

I’m not a rich man. The Range isn’t even mine. I try not to put too much value on material goods.

[@lemonzestaste]

I just wear my Gucci watch my kids got me for Mother’s Day, and hour In wearing it , it got scratched.. I do not even know what happen to it…so upsetting…

[@burbinghard]

Well you definitely can’t get rid of it, but if it’s the mineral crystal that scratched you could replace it.

[@garydowns4355]

Embrace the scars. Nice.

[@niklasweber466]

I feel like many people earned their scratches from their dogs 😂. Got my Nomos Club Campus on Wednesday and on Friday my dog jumped at my and scratched the stainless steel

[@kkim5342]

Waiting list for Tudor! Seriously 😳..they are plenty unsold sitting in the widows at Tudor boutique near my place

[@User-dhakaldkfhcuejtbdudjfk]

It seems like my local ADs are all sold out on Black Bay nowadays. Crazy

[@MagicoCompany]

Look at it this way as long as the movement the dial everything that's inside the casing is intact you can always replace casing crystal and bracelet... I have dove watches Invicta and Bulova Surveyor automatic watches and Seiko 5 I love my watches and wear them even at the gym carefully but if they scratch I will replace casing crystals and bracelets originally... Enjoy your eat h for years give it value and modify them

[@CapitanTavish]

The only watch i accept the scratches on it is the speedmaster. More scratches more value for me. I don’t know why, maybe because the speedmaster was meant to go in space and resist lunar dusts or worst. On the other watches, especially those with mirror bezels and dressy looks, I hate them all.

[@v.t.3194]

Has anyone discovered scratches without knowing how they got there? I had this experience more than once and wonder every time what move/ collision might have happened that I did not notice.

[@burbinghard]

It happens with my Santos all the time. I attributed the last scratch to the cotton blend of my button down Lululemon shirt 😂

[@v.t.3194]

@@burbinghard I assume the new scratch on my Seiko's clasp comes from banging on the glass shelves in my fridge with my wrist while searching the food I don't find but my wife tells me there is 😂

[@burbinghard]

@@v.t.3194 😂 I’m trying to find the worthy memory of this story… A scar resulting from a love of snacking. 😂

[@mendipfox1650]

“I finally got the call from my AD to pick up my Black Bay 58” Haha. This made me laugh. A shitty Tudor with a waitlist. How times change.

[@Elpipiton]

Hahaha same thing man. Except I was doing jiu jitsu with my dog, so it was my fault. Had him pinned forever tho. Made Kiwi tap. Thanks for that brother

[@barrygarfield2203]

Well said..

[@dontbdirtyicecream]

Is this a large or medium

[@burbinghard]

Medium. I was on the fence which one to get. If your over 6.75” inches I’d go large, otherwise you might need to order extra links for the medium bracelet.

[@lifeofkaykay1998]

Thanks 🥹

[@jackhummell]

Love the scars

[@baze3SC]

It's important to buy in the right price range so that you don't treat the watch like some sacred object. I try to keep mine in good condition but minor scuffs are inevitable. It's something you have to accept before you buy the watch. 20-30 years from now you will still remember your dog but not your current material possessions. Btw it's possible that you just scratched the AR coating and not the crystal itself. The coating can be polished out or you could just order a new crystal. But the real solution is to let go of unhealthy emotional attachment as you rightly point out.

[@burbinghard]

Totally agree. My Tudor BB doesn’t have external anti reflective coating so it appears to be a scratch on the crystal.

[@gmensing3006]

What did you mean by "We don't live our lives to buy watches. We buy watches to live our lives."?

[@burbinghard]

Some collectors become hyper focused on watches. An awesome watch can be the seasoning of life, but not the main course. Tracking the time is important, but the timepiece itself shouldn’t be the main thing.

[@gmensing3006]

@@burbinghard sorry, but the second part doesn't make sense. We don't buy watches to live our lives. We don't need watches at all. I think you're trying to make a play on "Work to live, don't live to work." But that only makes sense because people need to work to live.

[@doca203]

Nice Santos, you can always buy a new bracelet after a few more scratches

[@zylbygdfn6542]

Yes we have to wear them

[@gregsmith7821]

If you are worried about scratches, get a fake. They are typically made of industry standard 316 and sapphire. Fairly scratch resistant and cheap to replace.

[@burbinghard]

The story of my life does not involve fake luxury goods. I’d be more inclined to get a Longines, Sinn, or Seiko. Hardened steel tool watches seem more authentic than a fake.

[@gregsmith7821]

@@burbinghard Your choice.😘

[@MarcoFerranteWatches]

Great video Burb! These watches are meant to be worn and enjoyed. Scratches build character as you experience life with it and ultimately only deepens your connection to that watch. Safe queens suck! 😤💪

[@burbinghard]

You know who has safe queens Marco? “Beta males!” -JLP

[@aunWWc]

Honestly I don’t mind surface/superficial scratches. But I can’t stand dents or dings 😂

[@relaxfoo]

i'm playing the world's smallest violin

[@bettersteps]

I really enjoyed watching this video. The background music was unnecessary. I could have lived without it.

[@burbinghard]

Thanks for the feedback 🙏🏻

[@6re881]

Very unlucky with watches. Buy a swatch or a sinn tegiment or a damasko or a bead blasted case.

[@kozlotraher]

👍🏻🖤

[@davidhunternyc1]

The Cartier Santos is an iconic beauty but I would not buy one. Why? Because the Santos is very scratch prone, especially on the high polished bezel. Cartier knows about this flaw and refuses to fix it, meanwhile, KZbinrs keep making excuses for the flawed and subpar metal casing. Silver colored watches, such as stainless steel and titanium, are the defacto metal of choice. There are stainless steels that prone to scratches and stainless steels that are not prone to scratches, as well as coatings too. Why, in 2024, aren't manufacturers making "scratch-proof" watches? There are PVD coatings and nomenclatures like 316L steel, super titanium, TinSkin 3.0, and platinum encasements. A company as profitable and well funded as Cartier has no excuse for making watches that are scratch prone. Invest a little R&D and fix this problem. Having the bezel on a Cartier Santos scratched by something as innocuous as the cuff of your shirt is unforgivable.It's not just a Cartier problem, but most luxury watchmakers don't put in the effort to ensure their watches are "scratch-proof" or as scratch resistant as possible. It's a shame. For this reason alone I would never buy a Cartier Santos. Profits above all. So what are the most scratch resistant metals? Tegiment steel and UltraHex titanium.

[@BossMan_Jerm]

Wearing a Cartier with a duty belt? Why would you wear that if you do manual labor lmao it’s a dress watch

[@eltee4459]

I thought this guy was about to address how to fix scratches. 5 min wasted

[@burbinghard]

If you accept them, your problem is solved young grasshopper. If you’re still in conflict, you rub the watch with the course side of a scotch brite pad on the brushed surfaces, or a cape cod cloth on the polished parts 😂

[@jaimeduende5804]

This some gay ass bullshit “we collect scars” lol

[@burbinghard]

Strange that your subconscious jumped all the way to homo-x-uality with this one. Sorry if this video triggered you.

[@ronangsr]

haha@@burbinghard