As I've noted previously elsewhere, I dropped $3,500 on a Les Paul guitar. I've played it only once afterward I noticed a scratch on the plate. Devastated. I keep it in the guitar case. Very rarely I will put on surgical gloves and remove the guitar from the case and play in a very dark room, picking the strings very softly, and never ever playing for an extended amount of time. The guitar still looks brand new. Compared with the Edge's Les Paul:
Not only dings and scratches from his belt buckle but the beautiful alpine white is now a creamy yellow. Disgusting.
I also own a Rolex Submariner. Dropped $7,500 for that beaut. I keep it in the original box which sits on my desk. I cannot understand how people wear their Rolex watches with scratches. I've considered using nail polish to coat the stainless steel watch or using some sort of clear tape. Maybe even glue. I must need protection on these prized material effects. Until then, they will sit in their respective boxes untouched.