Watch polishing
Author
Discussion

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Monday 7th December 2020
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I bought a Cartier Roadster and it needs polishing. Can anyone make a recommendation?

I’m in West London and would normally go to L Guess in Richmond but other suggestions welcome.

Is it something I could take on myself with wire wool or is that daft?

crispian22

977 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th December 2020
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Get a cape cod polishing cloth and rub away till your hearts content smile

SS2.

14,671 posts

260 months

Tuesday 8th December 2020
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Get some Polywatch for the glass - it's great stuff.

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Tuesday 8th December 2020
quotequote all
Thanks all. I’m going to get the Cape Cod cloths and try that.

mikeveal

5,007 posts

272 months

Tuesday 8th December 2020
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I have a recommendation: don't.

My Roadster was polished when it was serviced. I didn't ask them to, it's still a nice watch, but it's lost the lovely crispness that the edges had.

At most, give it a light buff with a cape cod cloth.

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Tuesday 8th December 2020
quotequote all
It’s a watch I bought at auction sight unseen. The pictures show it definitely needs polishing but I’ve ordered the cloths and will report back.


AJB88

14,980 posts

193 months

Thursday 10th December 2020
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In here for the before and after.

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Thursday 10th December 2020
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Well I’m collecting today from the auction house, it’s a 2 hour drive to Colchester so I’m setting off at 11am (now) )

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Friday 11th December 2020
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Collected the watch yesterday. Being something of a risk taker I bought it (top bid) without asking if it worked. I just figured that if it didn’t and I got it cheap enough I could get it sorted if needed. I have to say I was absolutely delighted on first sight. There are the two original manuals that are pristine, the box itself is in good condition and contained a spare leather strap and two spare links. The watch itself was working and looked good, better than the photos but I wanted to polish it. Original plan was to take it to a jeweller but thanks to the forum I opted for the cloths. The results are remarkable! If the watch doesn’t look new it’s pretty close. Here are some before pics



And some after

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Friday 11th December 2020
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Paulr1980

1,825 posts

244 months

Friday 11th December 2020
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Ordinarily I’m dead against using cape cod unless the whole watch is polished with no brushes surfaces and in pretty rough shape.

I was happy with what I achieved though.

mikeveal

5,007 posts

272 months

Monday 14th December 2020
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Thankyou4calling said:
Here are some before pics
I looked at that and instantly thought your Roadster has the wrong number of case back screws. You have four instead of eight.
Then I checked the reference number, 2675 is the mid-size (generally sold as Ladies) model. Four case back screws is right for this one!

AJB88

14,980 posts

193 months

Monday 14th December 2020
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Tempted to get one of these, got a small mark on the side of my Tudor GMT that looks out of place. I dont mind wear and tear scratches got a few of them but this mark looks a lot worse.

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Monday 14th December 2020
quotequote all
ThTs a relief. Thanks. Also I THINK it’s automatic as it stops and starts when I take it out the box and move it/wind it though I can only find references to quartz.

It’s a beautiful watch now though. An absolute steal.

Macneil

1,054 posts

102 months

Tuesday 15th December 2020
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Are there different "grades" of cloth?

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,842 posts

195 months

Tuesday 15th December 2020
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I think it’s just the one grade.

I polished my Panerai as well and it looks fabulous


tumble dryer

2,264 posts

149 months

Wednesday 16th December 2020
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On that note, could I ask for some help, please?

I have a Jeager Le Coultre mecaquartz, Heraillon chronograph which I BROKE replacing the battery. loser

Basically, being a clumsy eejit, I forced the battery in upside down. Groan. I mean, how could you???

Anyhoo, JLC want circa £1600 to sort it - I assume a new movement.... (Google pic)




My watch pic



Would anyone on the forum know a watchmaker who would look upon this as a repair (and service) job?

It's obviously not a run of the mill repair (though, I don't think there's anything wrong beyond a squashed positive/negative connection, as it worked perfectly well before my mechanical ineptitude).

I can't bring myself to spend that amount of money through JLC, it's simply not worth it, but I'd love to have it repaired.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks guys.


mikeveal

5,007 posts

272 months

Wednesday 16th December 2020
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Good news, bad news...

Good:
With a contact on the side and bottom of the coin cell it's impossible to blow the electronics when shoving a battery in the wrong way round.

Bad:
Looks like the spring at the bottom (+ve) terminal is broken. Will need replacing & watch may need dismantling to remove the broken fragment.

You don't need a new movement, but you do need a watchmaker as opposed to a jeweller or shoe repairer. The £1600 quote from JLC is their way of politely asking you to go elsewhere.

If you'd included your home region in your profile, someone might have been able to recommend decent watchmaker in your locale.

tumble dryer

2,264 posts

149 months

Wednesday 16th December 2020
quotequote all
mikeveal said:
Good news, bad news...

Good:
With a contact on the side and bottom of the coin cell it's impossible to blow the electronics when shoving a battery in the wrong way round.

Bad:
Looks like the spring at the bottom (+ve) terminal is broken. Will need replacing & watch may need dismantling to remove the broken fragment.

You don't need a new movement, but you do need a watchmaker as opposed to a jeweller or shoe repairer. The £1600 quote from JLC is their way of politely asking you to go elsewhere.

If you'd included your home region in your profile, someone might have been able to recommend decent watchmaker in your locale.
Thanks Mike. I've had a proper watchmaker look at it, a good one too - he shied away from it. frown

Glasgow, but Royal Mail bring the world closer... smile (I deserve a kick in the nuts!)

Dan_1981

17,922 posts

221 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020
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Any ideas for a titanium strap?

I keep seeing mention of using an ink eraser?!?!