Can You Remove Scratches from a Watch Crystal? A DIY Guide

Understanding Watch Crystal Types

Before attempting to remove scratches from your watch crystal, it’s important to identify what type of crystal your watch has. There are three main types:

Acrylic – Most common on vintage and inexpensive watches
Mineral glass – Used on mid-range watches
Sapphire – Found on high-end luxury timepieces

Acrylic crystals are the softest and easiest to polish, while sapphire is extremely hard and scratch-resistant but difficult to polish at home.

Supplies Needed for DIY Crystal Polishing

To remove light scratches from your watch crystal, gather these supplies:

Microfiber polishing cloth
Watch crystal polish (like PolyWatch or Displex)
Painter’s tape
Cotton swabs
Rubbing alcohol

Having the right tools will make the process much easier and help protect your watch from damage.

Step-by-Step Crystal Polishing Process

Follow these steps to safely polish scratches out of your watch crystal:

Clean the crystal thoroughly with rubbing alcohol
Apply painter’s tape around the bezel to protect it
Put a small dab of polish on the crystal
Using light pressure, buff in small circles with the microfiber cloth
Continue buffing for 2-3 minutes, reapplying polish as needed
Wipe away excess polish and inspect results
Repeat process if scratches remain

Be patient and gentle during the polishing process. It may take several attempts to remove deeper scratches.

When to Seek Professional Help

While minor scratches can often be buffed out at home, there are some situations where it’s best to take your watch to a professional:

Deep gouges or cracks in the crystal
Scratches on sapphire crystal
Vintage or valuable watches
If you’re not comfortable working on the watch yourself

A watchmaker has specialized tools and expertise to safely repair more serious crystal damage.

Preventing Future Scratches

To keep your newly polished watch crystal looking pristine:

Store your watch in a soft pouch when not wearing it
Avoid wearing your watch during rough activities
Consider applying a crystal protector film
Have your watch serviced regularly by a professional

With proper care, you can maintain that crystal-clear view of your watch face for years to come.