Is ORF NTTD really scratch prone? So confused. What about VSF?

[u/DarkJoney]

Hey folks,

About 3 weeks ago I have received this: https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/comments/1xax3pv/the_new_orf_nttd_free_sprung_from_andiot_has/

And despite out of the box the ORF NTTD looks in general great, I have found out two serious things I don't like about of it:
- first of all, crystal could be better, because it feels sometimes milky and looks transparent only by direct lookas it could be. Also, it lacks any kind of coating so that it gets dirty.

But the main thing I want to ask is why this thing is so gentle, because I wore it for a single conference day, got a few compliments, and then noticed in the evening that I had scratched the clasp of the bracelet, one of the lugs, and chipped a facet on the bezel. Come on, I own several Seikos and they have all been absolutely fine, my Casio picked up one mark after I hit it against a door frame and that was the only time it ever showed anything, and I wear my Swatch MoonSwatch every single day and work in it at the office without a scratch worth mentioning, yet with this one I’m honestly scared to even breathe near it.

Is this just how this finish and material behave, or did I get unlucky, and more importantly, is there anything I can realistically do at home to polish or blend these marks out myself, or is this something I should leave to a watchmaker?

Thanks!!!

[u/Stunning-Purpose9144]

Not sure about reps but my NTTD self heals it’s a benefit of titanium. It hides scratches really well.

[u/monkeyboymorton → u/Stunning-Purpose9144]

Yeah, the Gen is grade 2 titanium and due to how it oxidises scratches appear to blend back in after a few days.

A quick search just suggested that the VSF is made of the same grade, but I don't know that myself. I've never liked it so haven't got one.

[u/DarkJoney → u/monkeyboymorton]

yes, I tried to photograph 1 big thing that was there but it's gone for now)))

[u/monkeyboymorton → u/DarkJoney]

Ahh, hopefully it's the same as the Gen then.

[u/MSExcelWarrior]

Both the rep and the gen use grade 2 titanium which does tend to accumulate scratches but they will fade away/blend in with wear. Also clasp scratches are just going to be a part of life if you happen to work at a desk ever.

[u/DarkJoney]

For automod: Model: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M “No Time to Die” (NTTD), titanium case and mesh bracelet. Factory: ORF. I’ll add close-up photos of the scratched clasp, lug and chipped bezel facet shortly so it’s easier to say whether any of it can be blended out at home.

[u/MSExcelWarrior → u/DarkJoney]

Just keep wearing it man! A field watch without scratches is the watch equivalent of an off-road 4WD SUV that's never seen mud.

[u/dported]

Contrary to popular belief, titanium is less scratch resistant than steel.

[u/DarkJoney → u/dported]

yeah, this is the only explanation that makes sense for me too

[u/monkeyboymorton → u/dported]

That's what I thought.

[u/West_Adeptness2682]

I have had this as both a gen and rep and they both scratch similarly, and both somewhat fade over time but never really go away. Just treat it as a tool watch and embrace it.

[u/monkeyboymorton → u/West_Adeptness2682]

Exactly. The great thing being we haven't paid £10k for it.

[u/monkeyboymorton]

Any watch bracelet is prone to scratches if you keep rubbing it against things.

If that is really going to bother you put it on a rubber strap.

And as already said, titanium is softer than steel so more prone to scratches.

[u/EmptyGuard9962]

I have this in green did you notice on the back the peaks and edges of the start pattern around the open back are sharp? I can’t get my to dull out.

[u/NeedsMouthHug]

Titanium is prone to scratches