Huge dent on Deep Sea… repair options?

[Tools]

It's stainless steel, it isn't soft; don't hit against ladders and it will be fine. Unlikely that any watch you wear will not deform with a direct, pointed, direct hit.

You want soft, wear the precious metal versions.

[CFR]

Rolliworks is in Miami.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

I was diving and wearing my couple months old basically brand new 136660 Deep Sea James Cameron… unfortunately at some point coming up on the ladder of the dive boat I hit the watch against some metal bolt on the ladder and it caused this huge dent which is quite deep.

Honestly I’m a little pissed that Rolex uses such soft steel, this should have been a scratch not a deep dent. I’m surrounded by steel in my life, on board, trucks, everywhere, and none of the industrial steel ever dents so easily.

Anyways, polishing will definitely not fix this as it is too deep. I think this would require welding/soldering of extra material to fill the dent and then polish down to make it smooth?

In all likelihood I won’t get this repaired and will wait 5 years until it’s servicing time to see how many other scratches and dents I get.

Any advice appreciated.


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Diving is VERY hard on gear. Most of my dive gear looks like it was dragged behind a truck and I try and be careful with it since it's both expensive and life support. My wrist worn dive computers are completely thrashed looking.

[Dirt]

Judging by the pics it undoubtedly looks like it needs a spot of weld to fill it up before polishing.
My DSSD has worse, more of them and in far worse places with 2 services under its belt and I haven't bothered to even think about polishing because my RSC doesn't do Laser welding.

Iirc, only RSCs can open a DSSD so if your RSC doesn't do Laser welding, perhaps you could go to an independent to have it done in that spot and worry about the rest of the watch at service time.
I saw a youtube video just yesterday of a 116660 DSSD that had been polished(presumably) by an RSC and it was quite unimpressive right from the start of the video, but it still would've looked bright and shiny to the uninitiated.

I would leave it be until I could find a way to have a spot of weld put on it in conjunction with a planned service.
It will be a very easy one that one on yours

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by HorologyK

I’d call Mike at Rolliworks. He’s your best option.

Will call Rolliworks this week. If this was a sub or ANY other Rolex I’d probably be less concerned, but because it’s a deep sea and can’t be opened up without special equipment for the waterproofing, I’m concerned I might have to only deal with RSC.


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[whatsthetime?]

I'd definitely have the laser welding done by Rolliworks.
Sent them a friends '70 5512 Submariner that needed some laser welding around the case holes--full restoration and service--came out incredible and at a very reasonable cost too.

[painexpert]

The polished side cases on Rolex scratch so easily. Very annoying. I would leave it alone. It will have some company very shortly.

[Njkdog]

Maybe instead of fixing it, trade it in for a Watch that fits properly?

[russ86]

One solution -> find a good laserwelding place

[2loaded]

The case is designed to protect the movement. Looks like it's doing it's job.
Continue enjoying your dives with one of the finest dive watches being made.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

I was diving and wearing my couple months old basically brand new 136660 Deep Sea James Cameron… unfortunately at some point coming up on the ladder of the dive boat I hit the watch against some metal bolt on the ladder and it caused this huge dent which is quite deep.

Honestly I’m a little pissed that Rolex uses such soft steel, this should have been a scratch not a deep dent. I’m surrounded by steel in my life, on board, trucks, everywhere, and none of the industrial steel ever dents so easily.

Anyways, polishing will definitely not fix this as it is too deep. I think this would require welding/soldering of extra material to fill the dent and then polish down to make it smooth?

In all likelihood I won’t get this repaired and will wait 5 years until it’s servicing time to see how many other scratches and dents I get.

Any advice appreciated.



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That is not worth repairing from my cost perspective.

As for your soft steel comment read Larry’s post.

The difference between the annealed hardness of the 316L and 904L grades that Rolex use is 2.17% on the Rockwell scale.

The advantages of 904L are significant but the increased nickel content is a concern for many with the allergy.

Had your watch steel been 316L you would not have noticed a difference in the size of that tiny ding.

[waterman1]

This is the perfect - “is Rolex jewelry or a tool watch” thread.
The watch is going to get banged up if you use it like a tool. Personally I would be a little upset but not for long with that dent. Many more to come if you use it diving. Otherwise fix it and use the Seiko from now on.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

Can someone answer why Rolexes dent so easily?

My Seiko Turtle in steel has been thrashed and destroyed while diving against all sorts of metal, ladders, bolts, etc. and it only has some hairline scratches… the steel is so hard it does dent, it does the denting.


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Maybe it’s designed to be softer so that us Rolex owners are more likely to become lifelong patrons of RSC, and continue to buy Rolex despite knowing how easily malleable these baubles are.


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by waterman1

This is the perfect - “is Rolex jewelry or a tool watch” thread.
The watch is going to get banged up if you use it like a tool. Personally I would be a little upset but not for long with that dent. Many more to come if you use it diving. Otherwise fix it and use the Seiko from now on.

A 136660 Deep Sea could never be classed as jewellery.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Small nick, I would leave it for service.

Have to agree that very miniscule dent easily remedied at normal routine service,should have seen my 16600 SD after five long years working as a tool watch underwater,I think OP would of had a heart attack.

[jimcameron]

Drop the microscope and enjoy your watch.

[yankeeromeo]

It's not huge.

But it would bother me.

Metal welding could sort it and wouldn't be mega money. I know a lot of people use rolliworks in the states there's plenty other places too

[1William]

Sorry that it happened but it would not matter which watch you were wearing if it received a blow like described. Bad luck, misfortune or what ever we want to call it. I would get it fixed if it was not price prohibitive and go on with it.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by thegrandseirolexguy

Maybe it’s designed to be softer so that us Rolex owners are more likely to become lifelong patrons of RSC, and continue to buy Rolex despite knowing how easily malleable these baubles are.


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Look a plain and simple fact its how the metal is tempered determines the hardness so 316L can be harder than 904L or visa versa. But 904L will scratch and show scratches more easily over the industry norm 316L, nothing magical about 904L now called oyster steel by Rolex but its the same SS.

[Hollie_Rollie]

This can be fixed. Don’t stress. Sounds like you dive with your watches so you’ll eventually accumulate more.

Any pictures from the dive?


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[Smokinjoe]

Can wear it with confidence now knowing that since its not perfect then no issues getting a few more scratches or nicks here and there.

[rushca01]

Everyone saying don’t fix it would absolutely be posting the exact same concern….its comical. Save for maybe two people. I also am of the camp of “wear” your watch but freaked when I dinged my 126710 BLRO…I’m going to get it fixed eventually as it bothers me, swirls etc don’t but dents and dings do. I am active and use my sub when scuba diving so my watches aren’t just $$$$$.

[GONZO2LR]

let it go man, let it go...

[travisb]

If it's gonna bother you, get it fixed.

[Polyesterpig]

If it was on one of the edges, it would bother me, but since it is on the flats, I would repair it at the next servicing. Just my opinion.

[Minkus]

From my perspective, it looks like you have enough wealth to wear a $10,000+ watch while doing activities that can cause damage to said watch.

Wear it like a badge of honor.

[Mystro]

I don’t think it’s that bad of a dent. Sure it’s annoying but it can be fixed so it’s more of a matter of living with it and seeing if it’s even worth the trouble fixing it after awhile?

[Chalet]

Was the bolt ok?

[Bort]

IMO you would be better off waiting to repair any case imperfections at time of servicing, since you are using your dive watch for what it was designed for. You will accumulate other blemishes on it when diving.

[learningtofly]

You think that’s huge, OP? Too funny.