How to Remove Scratches From a Watch

Q: Can you remove scratches from bead blasted watches?

Scratches can be removed from bead blasted watches although this will need to be done by a professional.

Q: Is it possible to polish a watch bracelet?

Of course! A metal watch bracelet can be re-polished or brushed using the same techniques as the watch case itself.

Q: What size watch strap do I need?

To determine which size watch strap you should get, you need to measure the strap length and lug width on your watch. For more information read our Blog post: 'What Size Watch Strap Should I Get?'https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/blogs/watchobsession-blog/what-size-watch-strap-should-i-get

Q: How can I get scratches out of my watch glass?

Check out our blog on this very question, we go into detail about the techniques, products and tools you'll need to get started:Can You Fix Scratched Watch Glass?

Written by: Holly Charman

Published on March 16, 2022

Time to read 4 min

Introduction

Scratches on your treasured timepiece can be a real disappointment. The good news is that it's quite simple to remove them.

For scratched watch glass, scratches can be removed with a polish, buffing cloth, and a bit of elbow grease and patience. For the rest of your watch, it comes down to watch material.

Table of content

Determine Watch Material To Remove Scratches from a Polished Watch Surface Must Have Products for Polished Watches To Remove Scratches from a Brushed Watch Surface Must Have Products for Brushed Watches Products to keep your watch looking its best Frequently Asked Questions Related Readings

Determine Watch Material

First things first then, you need to determine the finish of the watch's surface. Metal has a range of finishes, and each will require a different process.

Polished	Brushed	Bead Blasted
Polished surfaces have a high shine and are polished to a mirror like finish, your watch may have originally had a polished finish that has now been marked and worn with wear.	A brushed metal finish on a watch is created by using a fine-grit brush to create a series of parallel lines or circular patterns on the surface of the metal. This results in a matte, non-reflective appearance with a subtle texture.	A bead-blasted finish on a watch is created by blasting the metal surface with tiny glass beads or other abrasive particles at high speed. This process creates a uniform, matte, and non-reflective surface with a slightly grainy texture.

Please note that only professionals can treat certain scratched matte or bead-blasted finishes.

To Remove Scratches from a Polished Watch Surface

Using a Cape Cod Polishing Cloth

There are a few methods to remove scratches from a polished watch surface.

However, we would first recommend the Cape Cod Polishing Cloth as it removes small scratches or swirls, and gets your watch back to its highly polished finish many times over — it is the best and safest way to restore your watch to showroom condition!

Simply rub the tarnished watch, and wipe the polish off while it's still wet with the buffing cloth.

Cape Cod polishing cloths come in various pack sizes from our twin pack all the way up to the industrial sized polishing tin kit featuring 12 polishing cloths.

A man wearing gloved and a cape cod polishing cloth to remove scratches from a Seiko watch

Polishing with a Jewellers Cloth

You can also use a jewellers cloth, as it has one side designed to remove dirt and tarnish, and the other to bring out your timepiece's dazzling sheen. Most jewellers cloths will be "impregnated" with a red polishing powder, which fills in the scratch for a seamless finish.

Please note that deep scratches or gouges will need to be repaired during a full watch restoration — this guide is designed for light scratches.

Likewise, for valuable vintage watches, polishing the case has been known to decrease value. Proceed with caution if you think po l ish will alter its character (or at least more so than a scratch). If you do decide to polish a valuable or otherwise delicate timepiece, consider taking it back to the brand or to another professional for a service — this will reduce the risks and mistakes that amateurs are more likely to make.

"Amazing how brilliant this product is, made my old watch look new again. Excellent service from the company as usual." ★★★★★

Barry - Verified Customer

Must Have Products for Polished Watches

To Remove Scratches from a Brushed Watch Surface

To treat scratches on a brushed watch surface, you need to refinish the metal. To do this, you need to match the finishing with the polishing material, as well as the pressure you apply. This sounds tricky, but it can be made simple with a tool! Just like an eraser, the Beco Technic Pen makes scratches disappear instantly, and the finish is restored to a factory fresh condition.

The pen's refinishing tip retracts for self storage, and one pen should last a long time as a result. You need not worry about scratching or scraping your watch's surface again; there is a quick fix on hand.

And your timepiece is restored! Pat yourself on the back and relax in the knowledge that if the unfortunate happens again, there is a simple solution to ensure your watch remains in perfect condition.

A man in gloves using a scratch pen to remove scratches and marks from a Tudor watch bracelet

Must Have Products for Brushed Watches

"Absolutely amazing product, and definitely will recommend to anyone buying wanting to take out scratches." ★★★★★

- Verified Customer

Conclusion

Removing scratches from your watch can revive an old watch to it's former glory, with a few affordable products you could have your watch back on your wrist in no time.

And, if you're left wondering how to achieve the same bright and polished look for your metal watch strap, check out our guide on how to clean a metal watch bracelet.

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