Getting Scratches Out Of Watch

Kealyboy

Hi I have a Tissot everytime watch. The watch has a couple of scratches on the metal part of the watch. Is there anyway of getting these scratches out of it?? Or can a jeweler/watchmaker get scratches out of it? If this could be done in a jeweler/watchmaker I prefer to get it professionally done.

fret_wimp2

Kealyboy wrote: »

Hi I have a Tissot everytime watch. The watch has a couple of scratches on the metal part of the watch. Is there anyway of getting these scratches out of it?? Or can a jeweler/watchmaker get scratches out of it? If this could be done in a jeweler/watchmaker I prefer to get it professionally done.

Depends on the original finish of the watch and the severity of the scratches.
If they are deep scratches then no amount of polishing will remove them.

If the scratches are just hairline scratches that come from day to day use, and the watch had a polished finish, then a cape cod cloth, some care and elbow grease will make it look almost new.

If the finish was brushed, you can get whats called a "Garry flex abrasive block". It looks and feels like those ink erasers I had in school as a kid,( but its not the same so dont use those erasers on a watch!). It can provide a nice fine brushed finish. Need to be careful though to go with the direction of the original brushing & not to rub tiny patches as they will show up clearly.

Theres also a pen with a kind of a brush head that removes scratches from brushed finishes. I have not used one however so cant stand to its quality.

Whatever you do, be very careful, take your time and polish the entire section of whatever piece you're removing scratches from, otherwise it could look worse.
Also note if it was a specific type of brushed finish, then any refinishing might show up clearly against it as it can be difficult to match original finishes.

With all that said, if the scratches are minimal, then just ignore them. no sooner than its polished, there will be new hairline scratches and desk diving marks to replace what you painstakingly removed. Just enjoy the watch, nobody but you will really notice anything but the most severe marks anyway.

Thirdfox

I like "history" on my watches (especially dive watches that I do take diving with me). So for watches I plan to own for a long while I live with scratches (of course I don't go out of my way to pick them up though).

But when it comes to selling I understand if the new owner prefers a cleaner bracelet - fret has covered stainless steel.

For titanium bracelets (at least grade 2s like on the Tudor Pelagos) you actually can use the ink eraser - just get the ink eraser side and rub parallel to the direction of the finishing (I think pretty much all titanium finishing is brushed - don't think I've seen polished titanium) and it'll be as good as new.

Did that for my Pelagos when put it up on adverts - new owner probably appreciated it:

as an example - here's a before (see pic 3 on the old advert - https://www.adverts.ie/sports/tudor-pelagos-full-set-titanium-diver-25500tn/17589789 )

vs after the eraser "recondition" (see pics 9 and 10 on the newer advert - https://www.adverts.ie/sports/tudor-pelagos-full-set-titanium-diver-25500tn/17589706 )

micks_address

I've used these before and they are quite effective if the scratches aren't too deep

https://www.amazon.com/Cape-Cod-Polish-8828-Polishing/dp/B0102K3NLU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=cape+cod+metal+polishing+cloths&qid=1561943820&s=gateway&sprefix=cape+co&sr=8-3

I'd echo the advice about being very careful what you do about these. I would much prefer an 'honest' watch that carries a bit of wear versus one that has been badly re-finished.