Tips and Tricks: Polishing and Removing Scratches from Watches

With watches that are not safely stored in their cases or displayed in showcases, but are actually in use, it is almost impossible to avoid the odd scratch in the long run. Just one clumsy touch with your wrist and it's already happened. In many cases, it is possible to fight the scratches with a polish like the one we offer at Horando . What you should pay attention to and to what extent a watch polish is actually useful is explained below.

Note: Polishing removes material

First of all, it is important to know that every polish removes material from the surface of the watch. In other words, polishing makes the watch a little lighter and the material a little thinner. How much removal is necessary depends largely on the depth of the scratch. If you polish your watch very often or have it polished, you must also expect the case to become noticeably deformed. It is therefore important to consider whether the watch can withstand further polishing or whether it is better to live with the odd scratch in the case.

DIY polish: Polish light scratches out of your watch yourself

DIY polishing is not recommended for very expensive luxury watches or when there are deep scratches. Instead, the watch should be put in the hands of an expert who can professionally refinish it using a machine. Unlike when working on light scratches with polishing cloths, a lot can go wrong when polishing watches using a machine. For this reason, we strongly advise against trying to do it yourself with sandpaper - it is worth investing in the work of a professional.

Heavily scratched watches belong in expert hands

DIY polishing is not recommended for very expensive luxury watches or when there are deep scratches. Instead, the watch should be put in the hands of an expert who can professionally refinish it using a machine. Unlike when working on light scratches with polishing cloths, a lot can go wrong when polishing watches using a machine. For this reason, we strongly advise against trying to do it yourself with sandpaper - it is worth investing in the work of a professional.

Don'ts: Avoidable mistakes when polishing watches

Special care is required with watches with shiny and satin surfaces. Polishing will ruin the matte elements in no time. Whether you do it by machine or with a cloth, the satin surfaces must be carefully taped off or carefully left out. Polishing gold-plated watches is also difficult. The gold plating is usually applied very thinly, so polishing will quickly reveal the material underneath and you cannot expect a visually desirable result.

Which watch glasses can be polished?

What should you do if the scratches are not on the case or bracelet, but on the watch glass? This depends a lot on the material: while plexiglass can be easily polished using white polishing paste and cotton pads, polishing hard glass, such as mineral or sapphire glass, is usually unsuccessful. In this case, there are a few more serious options for tackling the scratches in the glass, but these are so complex and expensive that it is usually more sensible to simply have the glass replaced.

Decision aid: Polishing – yes, please or no, thank you?

Ultimately, every proud watch owner must decide for themselves whether they want to polish their watch or have it polished. It is important to remember that polishing the watch is considered a deviation from its original condition when it is sold and therefore reduces its value. However, if selling is not an option and you consider the scratches to be a serious flaw, there is nothing to stop you from polishing it. If you are unsure whether polishing is the best decision in your individual case, you should seek professional advice and not act too quickly, but think the matter through carefully.