Community Stories

Concerned about outer AR coating.

PRW
Posts
389
Likes
569
After browsing through forums, it seems quite common for scratches to appear on the outer AR coating on SMP 300's?
My concern now is that I bought this watch to wear everyday, however I am regularly in quite dusty environments.
I always wear gloves and generally these cover the watch but I now have concern that this could be worse with the gloves constantly rubbing against the crystal, more than likely with a fine layer of dust in between!
If I do encounter a scratch, what is the best way of removing the AR coating and has anyone experienced this watch without it?
 
gbesq
Posts
9,739
Likes
54,480
You can remove it with polywatch and some effort. That being said, the AR coating is tougher than you might think. My SMPC is my daily wearer. I've had it for several years, banged it on door frames and a few other mishaps, but the watch and the AR coating still both look new. When you clean the crystal, make sure to use a dampened soft cloth. I use an eyeglass lens cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth.
image.jpg
Edited:
 
PRW
Posts
389
Likes
569
gbesq gbesq
You can remove it with polywatch and some effort. That being said, the AR coating is tougher than you might think. My SMPC is my daily wearer. I've had it for several years, banged on door frames and a few other mishaps, but the watch and the AR coating still both look new.
I have obviously seen the posts from unlucky consequences?
As with most things in life, we tend to only hear about misfortune as no one is bothered if nothing has happened.
Thank you gbesq, you have given me a little more faith.
 
gbesq
Posts
9,739
Likes
54,480
PRW PRW
I have obviously seen the posts from unlucky consequences?
As with most things in life, we tend to only hear about misfortune as no one is bothered if nothing has happened.
Thank you gbesq, you have given me a little more faith.
Just be reminded that if you wear it long enough, you're going to get a scratch, dent, or ding somewhere on the watch. LIke the song says, the first cut is the deepest. After that, you realize that it's all about the watch gaining some character during its lifetime.
 
PRW
Posts
389
Likes
569
gbesq gbesq
Just be reminded that if you wear it long enough, you're going to get a scratch, dent, or ding somewhere on the watch. LIke the song says, the first cut is the deepest. After that, you realize that it's all about the watch gaining some character during its lifetime.
Already started on the steel!
IMG_20200819_160948~2.jpg
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,202
Likes
27,531
It’s a problem on the ones that seem to have a blue tint to anti reflective coating.
 
OhMeeGah
Posts
10
Likes
22
PRW PRW
Already started on the steel!
IMG_20200819_160948~2.jpg
I have a gnarly scrape on one of the scalloped edges. We live and learn right? Honestly, I'm just happy with the Ceramic bezel insert on my diver 300m so that thing is rock solid.
 
OmeGez
Posts
431
Likes
1,492
Wear it and enjoy it. Any marks that bother you can be rectified during a service anyway.
 
duc
Posts
1,452
Likes
6,642
A Tag Chronograph and Sinn U2 of mine both had noticeable blemishes in the outer AR coating. I used Polywatch with a Dremel (and the flat polishing pad) to completely remove the AR. If you are careful, you can stay away from the bezel pretty easily. It took less than 15 minutes in each case and the results were fine to my (OCD trained) eyes.
 
Bugbait
Posts
408
Likes
355
It took around 15 minutes with a Dremel to remove the outer AR coating? Really? Damn it, I was thinking of doing it on my X-33 G2 by hand.

Is there anyone else who has intentionally removed their outer AR coating? Was it really that much effort? I read many years ago that a Cape Cod cloth also works?

The outer AR on my X-33 G2 looks awful and it would be much better off without it. It was a known weakness (too soft) in that model and year.

EDIT: Typo.
Edited:
 
Archer
Posts
29,674
Likes
76,835
Diamond paste is far more efficient than Polywatch...

0.5 micron works fine.
 
roman9662
Posts
87
Likes
94
So does Omega recoat the AR coating during a service or do they recommend the crystal be replaced when the issue is a scratched AR coating?
 
gbesq
Posts
9,739
Likes
54,480
roman9662 roman9662
So does Omega recoat the AR coating during a service or do they recommend the crystal be replaced when the issue is a scratched AR coating?
New crystal I would think, but I’m just guessing.
 
Archer
Posts
29,674
Likes
76,835
roman9662 roman9662
So does Omega recoat the AR coating during a service or do they recommend the crystal be replaced when the issue is a scratched AR coating?

They would replace it.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

kursat

I solved AR coating issue savage

kursat Open Discussion
hen
hen
Posts
2
Views
840
geryck

AR coating or scratched sapphire crystal?

geryck Open Discussion
Wizzar
Wizzar
Posts
5
Views
1K
cjoedaniel

Seamaster 8800 worn AR coating after service and removal of speck

cjoedaniel Modern Omega Watches
cjoedaniel
cjoedaniel
Posts
9
Views
5K
Cosmin Robert

From what year did Omega start using ar-coating?

Cosmin Robert Modern Omega Watches
Cosmin Robert
Cosmin Robert
Posts
6
Views
3K
profglenn

AR coating?

profglenn Open Discussion
profglenn
profglenn
Posts
0
Views
2K
M

AR coating on front for Seamaster NTTD...possible?

mans7755 Modern Omega Watches
mbp
mbp
Posts
17
Views
10K