Watch polishing

[ringerz]

Hello gents, I am the proud owner of a Speedy Pro which is looking slighty grubby after 4 years of use. I've read numberous articles about how best to clean the bracelet (stainless steele) and the hesalite crystal - many of them giving conflicting opinions. I have to admit I am slightly clueless when it comes to this sort of thing, has anyone on here had any experience of doing this sort of thing? What sort of tools do I need? Is it a job for the professionals? The watch is in okay shape its just that I wear it every day and so the crystal has a few scratches as has the bracelet.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated!

[Stuart]

ringerz said:

Hello gents, I am the proud owner of a Speedy Pro which is looking slighty grubby after 4 years of use. I've read numberous articles about how best to clean the bracelet (stainless steele) and the hesalite crystal - many of them giving conflicting opinions. I have to admit I am slightly clueless when it comes to this sort of thing, has anyone on here had any experience of doing this sort of thing? What sort of tools do I need? Is it a job for the professionals? The watch is in okay shape its just that I wear it every day and so the crystal has a few scratches as has the bracelet.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated!

You could use polywatch for the hesalite and watch finishing cloths for the metal. Or, given that it is nearly due its 5 year service, book it into an Omega service centre and it should come back looking like new anyway.

Great watch - I'm wearing mine today.

[andy tims]

Stuart said:

You could use polywatch for the hesalite and watch finishing cloths for the metal.

That's exactly what I've done. Cape Cod cloths are pretty good (but they won't work miracles on deep scratches). I got mine off someone on TZ-UK who had bought a load, but I believe Lakeland sell them.

Edited by andy tims on Tuesday 24th February 17:42

[LeeThePeople]

Cape cods are very good, you get em here.

http://www.watchobsession.co.uk/shop/cleaning-poli...

Never used this firm but ill prolly put an order in.

[CmdrBond]

andy tims said:

Stuart said:

You could use polywatch for the hesalite and watch finishing cloths for the metal.

That's exactly what I've done. Cape Cod cloths are pretty good (but they won't work miracles on deep scratches). I got mine off someone on TZ-UK who had bought a load, but I believe Lakeland sell them.

Edited by andy tims on Tuesday 24th February 17:42

That will be me Got them off a guy on the bay, you can buy a twin pack or a job lot

[jac-in-a-box]

Really isn't too much to it at all. I bought an Omega Seamaster that had been crudely refinished and decided to give it a go thinking that I couldn't make it much worse and if it failed then I'd get it done professionaly.

Here's a post I did for another forum:

<<Recently spent a couple of hours sorting out the bodged valet job given to a recently acquired Seamaster GMT.

The whole buying experience was pretty dismal with a so called "reputable seller" (not one of us) having a distorted view on the description mint!
Not only that, he charged me twice for the watch - I wouldn't have noticed unless I properly scrutinised my statement

Anyway, apart from the bracelet, the rest of the watch was perfectly acceptable and came at a good price, so I decided I'd have a go sorting out the bracelet.

How it looked to start with - the centre portions of the small links should be satin finished. Obviously no attempt was made to mask them!



My local watchman gave me a couple of pieces of "Garryflex" - foam impregnated with abrasive. The blue is medium cut and the black is fine cut



I managed to find some fine, flexible and tough model makers masking tape. Made by Tamiya it's perfect for the job. Thin and around 6mm wide, with a clean edge it made masking very easy.
Worth degreasing the bracelet first with a hot soapy solution - helps to ensure the tape sticks!



I mounted the bracelet on a piece of 3in plastic drain pipe with double sided carpet tape. Helps to hold the bracelet "straight" and allowed me to get a "curve" to the bracelet.



Simply a case of using the medium and fine Garryflex foams, in one direction only, to remove a few minor scratches and restore the satin finish. It can be used wet or dry, I used it dry and it worked just fine.
Simply mask off the various sections and gently rub away - all very easy.

Comparison between untreated and treated



Finished

[jac-in-a-box]

Cont'd

Google Garryflex and you'll find a few suppliers - it's good stuff and if used patiently as described it will remove scuffs and light gouges.

The Cape Cod cloths are good too. Gary at watchobsession is a good guy with good service

[ringerz]

Thanks for all your replies!

I must admit I'm really happy that none of the options mentioned are overly scary procedures. I'll get the supplies in and report back my results!

Thanks again

[Soft Top]

Resurrecting a dead thread. A first for me but I had to report.

I found this thread and mention of the product Polywatch. I have a 1973 Air King in 14k which has a plastic face, (perhaps someone can tell me if this was original or cheaply replaced at some point). It scratches very easily which anoys me lot as I like to wear watches not just look at them. I have been looking for something to help me out and Polywatch is every bit as good as its promises.

About 1 minute of working the face with a small portion of the product and one of my wifes cotton wool pads and it looks like new again.

Thanks PH, this product is highly recommended by me.