Preventing scratches is one side benefit, but not the primary reason why I applied it to my 116710. The primary reason was to take up a little slack in the bracelet.

Insofar as the amount of gunk it would collect, so far, it appears to be no different than what a leather watch strap would collect... Even if it does get gunky, the pad comes off intact (unlike D series and prior hologram stickers) and they are easy to replace.

-Sheldon