How to Remove Scratches from Watch Glass

Finding a scratch on the surface of your watch face can be disappointing! Luckily, most scratches can be easily removed with a bit of polish and a soft buffing cloth. First, determine what type of crystal your watch contains. Then choose a polish appropriate to your type of watch crystal and buff the scratches out in a matter of minutes. If the scratch it too deep, or if your watch crystal contains a crack, you might want to consider replacing the watch crystal.

Part 1

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Selecting the Right Polish

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1
Use toothpaste, Polywatch paste, or Brasso polish on an acrylic crystal. If your watch is inexpensive, it most likely has an acrylic crystal, sometimes referred to as plastic or hesalite. It’s also likely your watch has an acrylic crystal if it was manufactured before the 1980s. If the watch crystal looks plastic-like or is extremely lightweight, it is probably acrylic.
- If you use toothpaste, make sure it is not grainy as this can scratch the watch crystal.
2
Use any type of watch crystal polish on a mineral glass crystal. If you have a mid-priced watch, you’re likely telling time through a mineral crystal. This type of watch glass commonly found in mid-range watches. It’s a glass crystal that has been treated with heat or chemicals to withstand scratches, and might appear hazy. If your watch has a mineral crystal, you can use any polish or paste you would use on an acrylic or sapphire crystal.
- Mineral crystal is more scratch-resistant than acrylic crystal, and tends to crack or shatter under extreme temperature or when hit from an angle.
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3
Polish a sapphire crystal with 0.5 Micron Lapping Paste or 3 Micron DP3 Dia-Paste. If you own an expensive or luxury watch, chances are your watch has a sapphire crystal. This is the most expensive of the three types of watch crystal, and is preferred because of its resistance to scratches and shattering. The crystal also will not appear hazy. You must use a polish made specifically for sapphire crystals to avoid scratches or damage to the crystal.
- Sapphire crystals are harder than mineral glass or acrylic crystal and are more likely to withstand cracks and breakage than other types of watch glass.
4
Contact the manufacturer if you’re unsure what type of crystal your watch has. Figuring out the type of crystal your watch contains isn’t always straightforward. If you can’t determine the type of crystal based using price points or age, try sending an email or placing a call to the manufacturer of your watch. They should be able to help you determine what type of crystal was used in the manufacture of your watch.
- Do not use any type of polish on a watch crystal you are unsure about, as this can cause damage.
Gisbert Brunner, Rolex Historian
When polishing out light scratches on the crystal of vintage Rolex watches, it's crucial to take a delicate approach. I suggest using a high quality plastic polish rather than an abrasive compound, massaging it into the glass with a soft cotton cloth. Take care to avoid pressure on the edges, and clean thoroughly afterwards to prevent new scratches from dust.

Part 2

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Polishing Scratches from Your Watch Crystal

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1
Protect your watch with painter’s tape. You can remove scratches from any type of watch crystal by hand polishing the crystal face of the watch. Before you begin polishing, you will want to all cover parts of the watch near the crystal with painter’s tape, paying particular attention to the watch bezel, which is the top ring that surrounds the watch crystal.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Using painter’s tape will protect the rest of your watch from being damaged during the polishing process.
- While you don’t need to cover the band or strap, you might want to remove it to make the polishing process easier.
2
Apply a pea-sized amount of polish to the surface of the watch crystal. You will want to be conservative with the amount of polish you apply to the watch crystal. Applying too much can make the polishing process more difficult, and increase the odds of gunking up the rest of your watch with the polish.^{[2]XResearch source}
3
Use a soft polishing rag to buff the watch crystal. Once you’ve applied the polish or paste, use a soft rag to gently buff the surface of your watch face. Use a gentle, circular motion. Keep buffing the watch crystal until you see the scratch disappear.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Keep the pressure light as you buff in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes.
4
Consider replacing the crystal if the scratch is too deep. While polishing watch glass will usually help remove scratches, sometimes a scratch or crack is too deep to repair with a simple polishing routine. If the scratches in your watch glass can’t be removed through polishing, consider replacing your watch crystal.
- Try taking your watch to a local watch repair shop and ask them to replace the watch crystal.
- Consider returning the watch to the manufacturer and ask them to replace the watch glass.

Expert Q&A

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How do I open a screw-back watch?
Bill Green
Jewelry & Watch Expert, Designer, Gold, Silver, and Platinum Smith.
Bill Green is an Expert Jeweler and Appraiser. He is also the Founder & Creative Director of Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix, and the Founder and Designer of Amaroo Handmade Opal Jewelry, based in Haddonfield, New Jersey. With over 40 years of industry knowledge, he and his team are known for restoring everything from new watches to vintage jewels and being one of the few shops that still design and make jewelry and watches. Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix is part of the American Society of Jewelers and Gemologists and Ethical Metalsmiths. Bill studied at the Miami Jewelry Institute and the Gemological Institute of America as well as apprenticed with many accomplished craftspeople.
Bill Green
Jewelry & Watch Expert, Designer, Gold, Silver, and Platinum Smith.
Expert Answer
To open a screw-back watch, consider seeking assistance from a local watchmaker to avoid potentially costly mistakes or damage to the case. If you choose to proceed, the method depends on the type of watch. For older pocket watches, like those from the 1920s, firmly hold the watch and use a piece of firm rubber or rubberized fabric placed on the case back for grip. Apply gentle pressure with your palm to turn and unscrew the back. Exercise caution to avoid cross-threading, which can cause damage. Some watches may require a wrench. If the back has cutouts around the edge, use an adjustable wrench designed for watches, such as a Jaxa wrench. Adjust the wrench to fit into the cutouts, then turn anticlockwise to release the back. Remember, opening the watch exposes it to dust and moisture, potentially compromising its integrity. In some cases, gaskets may need replacement due to compression over time. For complicated repairs, I suggest bringing the watch to a watchmaker to avoid further damage.
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After removing the scratches, consider taking some precautionary steps to protect the watch glass from scratches in the future.
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