What tricks do you use to clean your watches? | FerrariChat
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What tricks do you use to clean your watches?

Discussion in 'Fine Watches, Jewelry, & Clothes' started by GrndLkNatv, Oct 9, 2008.

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  1. GrndLkNatv

    GrndLkNatv Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2006
    878
    Grand Lake, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Mark Stephens
    #1 GrndLkNatv, Oct 9, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2008
    Well I have lots of watches, like most of us here..

    When I need to get rid of scratches on SS or Gold I use this:

    http://www.capecodpolish.ca/

    or Brasso

    When I need to get rid of scratches on my Ti watches I use this:
    0000 Steel Wool (This also will work on hair line scratches on Stainless )

    http://www.westernwooddoctor.com/steelwool.htm

    To get scratches out of a plastic crystal I use this:

    Toothpaste, Brasso or

    http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_list.asp?HDR=search&SEARCH=Plastic

    PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish...

    I also use these to get a nice shine

    http://www.shopmicrofiber.com/?leadsource=PS120&s_kwcid=microfiber|1026638899&gclid=CKmL3_GWm5YCFRMUiQodq3Et8A

    To get grime out of a metal wristband I use an old toothbrush and some hand soap, works very well..
     
  2. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
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    Oct 5, 2004
    6,084
    Los Angeles
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    Mark
    #2 mchas, Oct 10, 2008
    I use the Cape Cod cloths on my SS bracelet. To clean the watch regularly, I just use mild soap and water. I also have a rouge cloth that I got from a jeweler that I use to buff/dry it. Oh, and some really tiny brushes to get in the cracks.
     
  3. enzo thecat

    enzo thecat F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 27, 2008
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    Enzo Thecat
    #3 enzo thecat, Oct 10, 2008
    Me Too! Cape Cod Cloths all the way! I then finish it off with Flitz Microfiber towels. They can shine them up like nothing else and no swirl marks!
     
  4. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 2, 2004
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    #4 TexasF355F1, Oct 10, 2008
    I've noticed that very quickly after cleaning my watch I get some dirt along the inner part of the bezel. I use toothpaste.
     
  5. dcghostrider

    dcghostrider Karting

    Jun 28, 2006
    169
    #5 dcghostrider, Oct 10, 2008
    NT



     
  6. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2005
    2,862
    Shelby Twp., MI
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    Michael
    #6 Buzz48317, Oct 11, 2008
    I was wearing my Tissot Heritage 150 Anniversary this morning and whacked it into a metal chair (it was before my third cup of coffee) and scratched the Hesalite crystal. I took your advice and grabbed a can of Brasso and polished the scratch right out of the crystal. Worked GREAT. Took about 10 minutes. Thanks a ton, I just bought this watch 2 weeks ago and was pretty bummed about being so careless.
     
  7. GrndLkNatv

    GrndLkNatv Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2006
    878
    Grand Lake, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Mark Stephens
    #7 GrndLkNatv, Oct 11, 2008
    Are just plexigas, and I am glad you polished it right out. I didn't remember Tissot making anything these days that didn't have a sapphire crystal, although back when Tissot was owned by Omega they did... I am glad that scratch came right out! BTW, I love Tissot watches, best watch you can buy for the money.... I had an old PRS200 Tissot Diving watch that I backed my Toyota Tacoma over back accident while working on it and afterward some cape cod polish and it was like new...
     
  8. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2005
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    Michael
    #8 Buzz48317, Oct 12, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2008
    The watch that I have is a Heritage anniversary edition. It has a domed crystal and this is probably why they used the synthetic crystal in its production. You can see the watch along with its specifications here http://watchluxus.com/brands/tissot/heritage/heritage-150-limited-edition/t66-1-721-31

    I will post photos of the watch crystal once I replace my digital camera as it has taken a powder and I haven't had time to run to Circuit City to replace it.

    I have another Tissot watch on order that has a non domed crystal. This one does have a natural saphire crystal. http://watchluxus.com/brands/tissot/t-classic/le-locle/t41-1-483-53 I was expecting to pick this watch up this past Friday, but was told by my jewler that it is back ordered so it may be a couple of weeks. Frustrating knowing that the sapphire would have taken the impact better than the plastic.
     
  9. GrndLkNatv

    GrndLkNatv Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2006
    878
    Grand Lake, Colorado
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    Mark Stephens
    #9 GrndLkNatv, Oct 12, 2008
    I love the subsidiary seconds at 6:00.. I had a chopard like that, wish I never sold it these days!!! Great selection, plus they will last a life time!
     
  10. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

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    #10 Buzz48317, Oct 12, 2008
    If you think that the subsidiary second hand is cool, you should see the box that this thing came in. Mighty impressive!! I will include in the upcomming photos. :)
     
  11. Bluehinder

    Bluehinder Formula Junior

    Aug 9, 2005
    889
    Colorado
    #11 Bluehinder, Oct 14, 2008
    Try Scubbing Bubbles on the bracelet of SS bands. Works great. Rinse and polish. It's the recommended method of cleaning Rolex bands.
     
  12. GrndLkNatv

    GrndLkNatv Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2006
    878
    Grand Lake, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Mark Stephens
    #12 GrndLkNatv, Oct 15, 2008
    On your watch or watch band, it's acid and will pit the watch case and the band.. Scrubbing Bubbles is not as bad and it get's the grime out but I saw the results of oxy clean once, not pretty!
     
  13. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
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    Adam G
    #13 ASG 86TR, Oct 24, 2008
    I put mine in my wife's ultrasonic cleaner that she cleans her jewelry in. Only my Rolex, IWC or her Breitling, never the Cartier, just would not trust it under water. Hot water rinse or steam clean from the espresso machine.
     
  14. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2005
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    #14 Buzz48317, Oct 25, 2008
    Hmmm...would have thought the ultra sonic thing would have been bad for an automatic. My jewler told me to not even wear it while golfing.
     
  15. the_stig

    the_stig F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2005
    3,497
    #15 the_stig, Dec 2, 2008
    Polywatch polish does an excellent job removing scratches from plastic crystals.

    Specialty watch material shops sell bars, pads, pastes and wheels for re-doing satin or brushed finishes. Some of the pads look suspiciously like the scotch-brite pads sold in hardware stores.

    Pinnacle Supplies make several pastes for applying satin or brushed finishes to metal.

    I would not recommend that any watch go into an ultrasonic cleaner - just not worth the risk.

    Home steam cleaners designed for jewelry are available for as little as $70.00 but many jewelers will steam clean a watch bracelet or ring at no charge if you ask nicely.
     

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