Mate's fine with his new watch and the price was great... but neither of us has ever seen a stainless band get that badly marred so quickly.

Every single link on the top half of the band -- from where the 12 marker is to the clasp -- has a broad, dull-satin-finish scratched patch on it, the larger abraded areas being closer to the clasp. This happened the FIRST day he wore it. And he works at a desk all day. Not one made of concrete. So it's hard to see how it could have gotten so thoroughly scratched so easily; the watch that this one replaced is in better shape! Anyone else seeing really lousy wear on this band? I've had stainless watch bands that took AGES to start showing wear and tear, and unlike my fella, I'm tough on watches and wear them all the time.