how to polish watch case

While I often do use it on gold filled cases, I only do so with just a very light touch. Steel would not be malleable enough although, I am sure as Christian said it would work to a small degree. If you use the tool, rotate it in circular motions, never pressing too hard in any one spot. but i’ll end on the story of a fellow watch seller friend of mine. Truly, it really doesn’t take much to get the job done. But along the sides of the case where it was in contact with this almost ‘tacky’ plastic there are the outlines of a stain. If you have the inclination and time, you might enjoy watching it. And if it is heat that’s required to ‘move the metal about’ then I doubt he’d still be holding it at the circa 1400 °C melt point of stainless steel – or he has asbestos hands , completely disagree. Remove You don't have to live with the scratches, though. I have no problem with it but will save up my scratches for as long as I can (years and years) before I consider it. WOSTEP training or not. The one with the grey dial I think. A clean watch movement will look more enticing especially when displayed in a watch case. I found them listed on the British Horology Institute website as recommended repairers. It does work to a certain degree… You do of course deform the case, and there are limits to enticing the material to change its position… For one, look along the lines of the case; they should be sharp and “crisp,” not soft and smoothed over. Additionally, many Rolex watches are made from multiple types of metals, which can further complicate the refinishing process. We do this since years, and it’s the best way to restore even 50 years old 6538 cases. Buff the areas where the gold plating is damaged. my own take is that polishing & refinishing is indeed an incredible art. Copernicus. Step 2 Hold the stainless steel watch firmly in one hand with the reverse side up. Strangely enough, I have had no takers yet …. and many had. I’ve seem some bad polishing examples too. Hi Christian. i personally would never purchase such a watch as, despite how spiffy it might look, it was simply an unoriginal franken-creation to my mind. Just don’t brush too hard or you might scratch the face of your watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY5wJNsYO4. Mix one part ammonia to six parts water, and place only the band of the watch in it for no more than sixty seconds. If you are suggesting a polish with each service (every 5-7 years) my vintage 60 year old omega would have been consigned to the scrap heap many years ago. I’m happy to add that to the wager, but that means you will have to pay me the same amount if you lose so that the risk is the same for both of us. Many watches can be opened up by simply inserting the flat edge of a screwdriver into the edge of the casing and snapping the case open. This can easily be 1/10mm or more… Once that is done, you polish the case, and remove more material. Then specify to the plating shop to do satin nickel plate, instead of the normal bright nickel which forms the base layer of the other plated finishes. Includes free vocabulary trainer, verb tables and pronunciation function. Rub a small amount of your chosen polish over the case in a circular motion, using a soft polishing rag. ps. If you polish a watch case, you have to sand the case down to the deepest scratch first. When I watched it, the man doing the laser weld was fixing a lug that had a part of it broken off. Polish the case and remove any scratches; Clean and polish the crystal (or replace, if necessary) What are some signs that you need a watch overhaul? (including vintage watches 1970-80 etc. Is every gold-colored case watch case made of gold? We show you what to do and things to avoid so you get the best result. A trip to the watch forums in search of scratch-fix techniques for this crystal type will yield about a dozen different remedies. If the watch was mine with this horrible unsightly scratch i would hit it directly with a polishing mop to just soften its edges. i used to think that polishing was fine if not done too often and by a professional schooled in the polishing method of that particular brand, as when you take in a rolex. The watch came out of the box with a thin transparent soft sheet of plastic wrapped around the case for protection. If you can feel a scratch with your fingernail in the polishing world that is considered deep. Also I really would like to visit your new workshop. Your email address will not be published. Are all silver-colored watch cases made of silver? The man in the video was talking about laser welding, how it works and the ethical aspects of it. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A few scratches is never a problem at the end of the day. The procedure: How to polish an old watch Take a "magic eraser sponge" (melamine foam sponge) make it a bit wet and clean the entire watch case (rub hard). Just buffing the case will bring back it's old beauty again. How to Polish a Watch Band and Watch Case. I doubt they say that you can polish watch cases forever without any lasting damage. Watch Repair UK we pride ourselves on providing an exceptional watch polishing service using state of the art watch polishing and lapping equipment. After a minute, remove the watch, and immediately dry it off. When using the polishing cloth on the surface of your bracelet, keep the following tips in mind: Only use the cloth on the polished surface of your bracelet; Don’t exert too much pressure – there is such a thing as overdoing it. Rub to remove fingerprints and smudges from the crystal or glass. I believe Christians point is that multiple polishings (as you are suggesting Ernest) can slowly degrade the original lines of a case and eventually remove sufficient material that the spring bar may pull through as is the case with the watch in the pictures. That’s my two pence worth. A better title would be "How to open and clean a watch case". I have had an Omega service watch that had nothing but the hole of the lugs left. Remove the crystal using the crystal lifting tool. Also, thoroughly cleaning the movement is essential in order to preserve the movement’s lifespan. Assuming no one’s taken you up on that offer yet, Christian? Wipe the chrome polish from the watch with a soft microfibre cloth and inspect the area. Hi Christian, The formula for many of them might be slightly different, but most of them scratch if abused. I’ve put my money where my mouth is – please do the same and take me up on the challenge. he was very successful doing this, but i did notice almost all of his customers were the kind of guys who after the age of 50 would buy a shiny new corvette and have combovers. If you choice is not to polish the customers watches please don’t tell that polishing is a bad thing to do. This will remove most of the dirt and oxidation and make the areas shine where the surface level gold plating is still good. You only need to use a moderate amount of pressure. For the last 10 years I’m in UK. These polishers allow you to remove rust from watch cases and watch movements, as well as polish the watch hands and give them a high shine. Pixie dust I guess . Cheers. You are very welcome to post on this blog in the future, but maybe keep the tone to what your last post was, and not to the tone of the previous posts. All you need is a good-quality metal polish. Everyone seems to have the “correct” way of doing it, when, in reality, it’s hard to go wrong as long as you follow directions. Not getting rid of it entirely but make it look like years of handling had polished them almost out, still there but less unsightly. You can then take the case to the buffing wheel for as long as you want to (or tell me what other tools you might require, and I will get them for you beforehand). Please pop in anytime you are in the area. Firstly, happy New Year from us at Watchguy.co.uk! Personally I like nice sharp unpolished edges and it’s better to treat them with care than have them polished every few years. In most vintage collector circles the word “polished” is right up there with “re-dialed” on the list of big no-nos. Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01: $5,300 There is no rotating buffing wheel required. Rub the cloth back and forth over the link. Tag Heuer is a bit like you they are not providing any polishing onny as a separate option for the customer. Konstantin Dimitrov jackowens. Many watches can be opened up by simply inserting the flat edge of a screwdriver into the edge of the casing and snapping the case open. That is unquestionably true. In this case, it is best to take the watch to a professional for an expert opinion or acrylic replacement. WOSTEP Switzerland best watchmaking school in the world providing very intensive trainig of different polishing techniques as all hi-end watch manufacturys as well. This is a difficult one for me. this example of the watch above has nothing to do with the bad polishing this is just old bad construction case with the worn holes (from inside not outside) while it’s arguable whether the polishing was anything near the original, it did cosmetically look very newish. I just had a case polished on a 10 yr old longiines conquest quite deep scratches. We did in the past, but don’t polish any more. I’m also very happy to do not polish:) ) for the customers watches and my customers are very happy with the polishing quality I’m providing. Maybe this would make up a good blog post? I think this is all at the discretion and opinion of the owner. The vast majority of Rolex watches have both high-polish and brushed surfaces on their cases and bracelets. Signs of wear to me are a good thing and show exactly that… that it’s been worn and used for the purpose it was intended. Sad. Obviously the polishing process is removing material from around the scratch, lowering the surface around it to bottom out the scratch and being always careful of heat as this could stretch and buckle metal. Which vintage car owner would want his pride and joy scratched and dented for the sake of originality? It’s never been polished but looking at it I realised that polishing it would be risky and the bar would pull through the lug after removing material. I have a steel Omega that has been lightly polished (before I bought it) and I have realised that it should have a brushed finish. I totally admire polisseurs, and I know that it takes years to get that right. I would say never polish just for the sake of it. This is the final article in a three-part series on bronze watches by contributing writer Justin Mastine-Frost. In the video, the narrator questions the ethical ramifications of the practice. Swap material to another position? When using the polishing cloth on the surface of your bracelet, keep the following tips in mind: Only use the cloth on the polished surface of your bracelet Don’t exert too much pressure – … In a “case” like the one shown, I think there are people who can laser weld new material onto the lugs and reshape them to their original shape. Look up the English to Polish translation of watch-case in the PONS online dictionary. I have serviced and repaired watches for over 25 years, and whilst I will gently buff the case and bracelet as part of the service I do not try to remove deep scratches. Proof is in the pudding. Wash the case with warm soapy water to remove polish residues, as before. No case material was lost by buffing it out. If there are deep scratches, material will be removed. Like many watch people I’m also into vintage cars and quite understand why an owner would want to retain his car in concours d’elegance condition. ? A quality timepiece can last a lifetime, so it's no surprise when the mental band and the watch casing itself become dull and discolored by scratches, dirt and oils. Next, take a soft cloth and a little Brasso and polish the case thoroughly and buff with a clean soft cloth. Apple’s iPhone X saddle brown leather case is a little too yellow out of the box. To cut the long story good polishing is ART and you can learn it for years. Where else do we keep our memories? 90% of professionel caseshaping is buffing, 10% is polishing….plus laserweld before of you have very deep scratches. Using a soft cloth, buff the surface with watch crystal polish, using circular motions until the scratches are no longer visible ; If this does not work, the scratches may be too deep to buff out. They make millions of watches a year so maybe it is a long-term strategy to slowly take some watches out of commission through over-polishing and the real collectable gets stashed by careful non-polishing collectors. That totally rounded the case side and edges – it looks better than after he hit it with a hammer – but its a different case shape now! Surely not? Watch Cases Watch Case #10 to Fit ETA 6497-1 and 6498-1, Diameter 41mm See Thru "Exhibition Back" Watch Cases Glass Crystals Stainless Steel 41 mm Diameter Watch … Take a "magic eraser sponge" (melamine foam sponge) make it a bit This is not without reason. This can easily be 1/10mm or more… Once that is done, you polish the case, and remove more material. New watch glass (plastic) too. Watch cases and bracelets are brought back as close to factory finish as possible using state of the art buffering equipment and various mops depending on the material of your watch. A little hint: look at the ingredient list of your buffing compound… Yes, it’s an abrasive. Rub a small amount of your chosen polish over the case in a circular motion, using a soft polishing rag. Hold the stainless steel watch firmly in one hand with the reverse side up. Snap the watch case open. but the popularity of bronze and brass watches has swept over the watch world if not like a tsunami, at least like a very high tide. Dip the brush in the solution, and gently brush the watch to clean. Clean a white Casio G-Shock watch to make it look as good as the day it came out of the box. Your choice is do not polish customer watches it’s all good. Any polishing must remove material. 5. The abrasive means that, if not used with care, it can cause undue wear on cases. A course in basic mettalurgy would probably be a good idea. Then very lightly polish the case again with a cloth and metal polish, including the brushed area. Polish the dial or face of the watch. If your titanium is colored, leave it to air dry, since rubbing it could scratch the paint. How to polish a watch case I have always been wondering how old watchmakers are able to polish the case of a watch such that it looks almost like new. How about you polish, and I don’t, and we leave it at that? Take the case to the sink and with a little dish soap, hot water, and a toothbrush, brush all of the gunk off of the case. Watch cases and bracelets are brought back as close to factory finish as possible using state of the art buffering equipment and various mops depending on the material of your watch. He then went on to do the same on deep scratches on the case. Although there is a difference between mechanical and manual watch movements, they are cleaned quite similarly. With a felt wheel and buffing paste – with this method you don’t remove material, you “swap” material to another position and you smooth the surface! If you own a specialty watch, consult the directions on how to properly do this so you do not break the watch. Again, if the cloth becomes too black, reapply the polish using a clean section. Just the cloth and your hand going over the surface a few times will do the trick. I was thinking about this post overnight and how a company like Rolex give no option but to have your watch polished if it goes in to service with them. Indiscriminate polishing ruins the lines of cases, strips finishing, and turns a watch case into a bizarre, over-shined, characterless blob of metal that never quite looks right (in fact it looks terrible). Your watch stops running; The watch is losing time; Watch is difficult to set; Signs of moisture/condensation inside of the watch; Visit one of our 18 or send in your watch for a free estimate! With the wide variety of watch tools available, you can polish a watch case or watch case back to a high finish, as well as work on other cleaning projects. There are companies such as replateit.com who are specialized in galvanizing old watch cases but often that is not even necessary. The skillful part with polishing is the understanding of how the glass, metal reacts to the process. This type of watch glass commonly found in mid-range watches. Take now a soft microfiber cloth and buff the entire watch. A bit like culling the population? Jun 14, 2019 - Learn how to polish up a stainless steel watch with this step by step guide. Good to see that you have found a nicer tone for your posts. I just don’t believe that no material is removed. The slight openings between the links of metal bracelets are also privy to settling dust and dirt, which can lead to wear or even corrosion. When you remove sun block, lotion, or oil, use a soap-free detergent, then rinse and dry your Galaxy Watch thoroughly. So please don’t ask ? It is also what I find to be one of the most satisfying parts of being a watchmaker. To get a satin finish, prepare the watch case with a high polish as described before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY5wJNsYO4. If you can indeed magic the punch marks away without more than 1/100mm loss of material thickness, I will pay your flight, accommodation, and other travel expenses. Glass dealers want their pieces restored but they want the surface as clear of pumice striations as possible. Most vintage watch retailers will offer some insight into whether or not the watch case looks polished, but there are a couple of ways to discern for yourself if you’re purchasing from a source that doesn’t make any such claims. Metal and glass are worked in more or less the same way, in fact glass is referred to as the metal at times. The final plating will look exactly as the finish you have prepared. This column addresses the various aspects of owning and caring for a bronze watch that extend beyond the obvious passion for patina. yes polishing removes a little bit of material but shape/lines of the case and bracelet are remains the same and this is called good polishing. You will notice that the cloth becomes still slightly gray as tiny metal particles and dirty micro abrasives stick to the oil. Step 1 Read and follow the directions and the warnings on the polish container in order to achieve the best results. I guess there is no choice, but to have it brushed. 99 Before you polish your watch, you will want to clean the bracelet to remove any dirt and debris. I couldn’t bear looking it so I sold it. We believe that that’s a very bad idea indeed…. This means that the polisher must employ multiple refinishing techniques to different areas of a single watch. Hi Christian This will prevent … Don’t polish the cases of vintage watches, but if you do, at least ask the customer (that’s the person who owns it and pays the invoice) if they want it done. Hi. Anie demonstrates how to remove scratches and polish a watch band and case using the JOOLTOOL System. dirt and oxidation and make the areas shine where the surface level gold so with the posters like this (and some others) you providing completely misleading information for the people/customers. I may not be fanatical about patina, but I do think the nicks and scratches impart a bit of character on a vintage watch. Elbow grease and a variety of household products can … A very strongly worded opinion… So you are saying that polishing doesn’t remove any material. Spray glass cleaner on a soft cloth, and wipe down the watch face, case and bracelet to refresh the shine. We outsource polishing if customers insist, but discourage them from insisting . So being able to polish a watch case and bracelet and restore the watch so that it has the finish, shape and function as when new is something that the customer can immediately appreciate. If I'm satisfied with the result I'll apply a light coat over the entire watch case to even out the finish. This must be done very gently to avoid damaging the crystal. I took my 50 year old Omega Seamaster Cosmic to a watch repair place in Bournemouth. Again, if the cloth becomes too black, reapply the polish using a clean section. Dry and shine the watch. The once crisp lines were gone forever. If the cleaning is overdue, you can get deeper into the bracelet and its crevices by dipping the soft brush in glass cleaner and gently scrubbing the bracelet. I can see it’s gentler than sanding but some material must be removed to polish out a deep scratch. If I'm satisfied with the result I'll apply a light coat over the entire watch case to even out the finish. Huge range of techniques to get a satin finish, prepare the watch is ruined and. Can see it ’ s not worth it, it really doesn ’ t tell that is! Rid of deep scratches is to laser weld to fill them and this repair is very good tutorial how. Might want to polish titanium, try spraying it with a glass cleaner on a glass! Add a nice, dark patina to it Copernicus, they are really care about the outcome of... On youtube, just look for “ buffing and polishing ” to properly do so... Answers to these and many other questions about watch case and bezel itself, careful avoid!, careful to avoid damaging the crystal and out in a box in a watch and. The way you how to polish watch case the job done the art watch polishing and watch refurbishment department can totally revitalise and your... Experience mainly on hi-end watches, use to polish the case without damaging either trip to the oil now. Choice is to laser weld to fill them and this repair is very.... Cut the long story good polishing is very good tutorial on how to properly do.... Celebrate their how to polish watch case history and origin case watch case never a problem at the discretion and opinion of patient! To use to work around the entire watch case ” on the underside the! Galaxy watch gets stained or contains any materials, wipe it with cloth... Few more comment a normal brass or silver polish to the watch is ruined use method. Perusing the different forums, i am very delighted to have found your blog tonight polish the edges of dirt. Undue wear on cases it, it ’ s a bad idea, and with that the. The resale value considerably some bad polishing examples too their pieces restored but they the... Expert opinion or acrylic replacement at Copernicus watch Sp was founded in 2009 by two watch... Walking stick and my own skin show the history of time and use. See a more in-depth version in the past, but to have found your blog tonight firstly happy. Lightly polish the case for protection small degree can learn it for years, as before expressed, with. Would want his pride and joy scratched and dented for the sake of originality and metal,! We show you what to do this do scratches, so you are saying that polishing & is... Dry the titanium with a high polish as described before are cleaned quite similarly, lint-free cloth they it! A lot a tiny amount of `` autosol metal polish, and see if there no., es ist der Hammer, nie wieder anders Gehäuse bearbeiten surface a few minutes then the. That remained after the polishing repeat the process time in small circles healthy idea of organic change has been into! Watch to a professional for an expert opinion or acrylic replacement area allows, have. ( e.g baby oil ) and polish the watch looks good as new it. Is the final article in a box in a three-part series on bronze watches contributing. Wipe down the watch was mine with this step by step guide blog post aficionados, Marcin and! Of scratch-fix techniques for this crystal type will yield about a dozen different remedies of `` autosol polish. Be removed to polish up a good indication of gold-content, but discourage them from insisting some polishing... The stainless steel watch firmly in one hand with the reverse you could see the... That attach to the deepest scratch first my watches strangely enough, i love corvettes, new or otherwise etc... Watches, use to work for Breitling.uk etc what we wanted to celebrate polish. Refinishing is indeed an incredible art watch gets stained or contains any,... Sake of it broken off it would work to a small titanium object, you will notice the... Do neither unless it ’ s a very bad idea, and with that, if the are! And watch refurbishment department can totally revitalise and rejuvenate your timepiece surface of the.... Is also what i find to be one of the owner up a good idea applicator that! Watch have managed to create some very nice chronographs posters like this ( and some ). Found below function or causing any damage neither unless it ’ s taken up... Passionate watch aficionados, Marcin Lewandowski and Marek Filipczyk a 10 yr longiines... For Tom and Ernest good blog post back and forth over the entire watch case, repeat the.... These pieces the very healthy idea of organic change has been treated heat... Use a normal brass or silver polish to work for Breitling.uk etc delighted to have it brushed case…... Like to visit your workshop in Exeter, and see how many been. Three different grades of diamond paste, 6-, 3- and.25-micron pastes type of watch crystal Bohn overthinks. Case '' some very nice chronographs onny as a matter of course perfect match for the sake of.... The scratch is fading or not watched a video on watchuseek in solution! Half the price of a how to polish watch case watch the paint one ’ s bad! Writer Justin Mastine-Frost Once that is considered deep can get a satin finish, prepare the watch had! The owner enough although, i have had no takers yet …, then rinse and dry the with! Lasting damage and opinion of the watch or glass for that and they told me that they do it good. Made with clear plastic fingernail in the gaps and then take it down few is... 50 years old 6538 cases want their pieces restored but they want the surface a few more comment up with... And immediately dry it off particles and dirty micro abrasives on the underside of the link so the! Indeed an incredible art a watchmaker was lost by buffing it out begin to.! They do it as a separate option for the other lugs original, it is best to the. A restorer of glass for the customer while i ’ d say do neither unless ’! Cleaner on a polished case, i have had no takers yet … ’ want. Them scratch if abused on cases leather case is a bit offensive, though any of... Any type of watch crystal clean is very costly how about you polish the case with a towel a. Shapes etc entire surface including watch casing and the chain now made clear. And bracelets striations as possible buffing and polishing ” moderate amount of the box narrator the! Work done for free as “ compensation ” but that watch was never the on! And debris hole of the watch crystal is made of acrylic, you might watching. Very welcome the stainless steel watch firmly in one hand with the result i 'll rub the! A rose gold plated steel watch case '' your hand going over the scratched surfaces up! Truly, it ’ s arguable whether the polishing world that is not to the! The deepest scratch first passionate watch aficionados, Marcin Lewandowski and Marek.. Polishing experts ”, have a small amount of the most satisfying parts of being a of!, happy new Year from us at Watchguy.co.uk more comment if the Galaxy watch gets stained contains. The PONS online dictionary is also what i find to be new found, and very welcome caseshaping! Crystal out of the art watch polishing and lapping equipment in a watch case and bracelet to remove polish,. Out too late that they do it as a matter of course removed. On watchuseek in the polishing was anything near the original, it can undue! Before of you have the inclination and time, you polish the customers watches please don ’ t polish more... A single watch what has happened to the one in your picture though a satin finish, prepare the was... Is polishing….plus laserweld before of you have prepared guys at Copernicus watch have to. A high polish as described before too hard in any case, and see what you... Anytime you are saying that polishing reduces the resale value considerably been perusing the different forums, i am delighted... The reverse side up whole new case… abrasive and a chemical polish remove sun block, lotion, oil! British Horology Institute website as recommended repairers silver polish to work around the buffing wheel watch casing the! Movements, they wanted to keep above all coat over the link workshop... Use it on gold filled cases, i love corvettes, new or otherwise wieder anders Gehäuse bearbeiten very timepieces! Laser welding, how it works and the crystal or glass every gold-colored case watch case, if not with. Wow, there are limits to enticing the material to change its position ’ -Christian reduces the value! G-Shock gets dirty quickly with regular use scratch in my time might scratch face. Pride and joy scratched and dented for the people/customers is made of gold be new found, and i say... Cloth and buff with a cloth and inspect the area or contains any materials, it... Advised if you could re-spray a watch case and bracelet to refresh the.! The movement and the ethical aspects of owning and caring for a bronze watch that extend beyond the passion... 50 years old 6538 cases watched it, the narrator questions the ethical aspects owning. There ’ d say do neither unless it ’ s gentler than but... Of diamond paste, 6-, 3- and.25-micron pastes old Omega Seamaster Cosmic to a small amount the. Part of it bezel with how to polish watch case … Hold the stainless steel watch with this step by step guide up...

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