How to Remove Watch Scratches: DIY Solutions That Actually Work

So there I was, two weeks into owning my brand new Seiko, absolutely babying it everywhere I went. Then in a moment of carelessness — BAM — I smacked it right against my desk while reaching for my coffee. My heart sank as I slowly turned my wrist to assess the damage. Yep, a nice, shiny scratch right across the polished bezel. Ugh.

If you’ve ever felt that particular stomach-drop moment, you’re definitely not alone. Watch scratches are basically inevitable if you wear your watches regularly (which you should, by the way — they’re meant to be worn!). The good news is that many scratches can actually be removed or at least significantly reduced at home with some relatively simple techniques.

I’ve tried most of these methods myself over the years with varying degrees of success, and I’ll share what actually works versus what’s just internet mythology. Fair warning though — there are definitely some scratches that can’t be fixed without professional help, and some attempts could potentially make things worse. But hey, if you’re staring at an annoying scratch on an otherwise perfect watch, these methods might just save the day.

Understanding Watch Scratches: Know Your Enemy

Before we dive into removal methods, it helps to understand what we’re dealing with. Scratches can happen on different watch components, and each requires a different approach:

Crystal Scratches

Watch crystals (the “glass” covering the dial) come in three main types:

• Acrylic/Hesalite: Used in vintage watches and some modern ones like the Omega Speedmaster Professional. Scratches easily but also can be fixed easily.
• Mineral Crystal: A mid-range option found in many affordable watches. Harder than acrylic but still susceptible to scratches.
• Sapphire Crystal: The most scratch-resistant option, used in luxury and many mid-range watches. Extremely difficult to scratch in normal use, but also extremely difficult to repair if it does scratch.

Case and Bezel Scratches

Watch cases and bezels are typically made from:

• Stainless Steel: Most common material, with various finishing types (polished, brushed, bead-blasted)
• Gold/Gold-Plated: Softer than steel and requires more careful handling
• Titanium: Lighter than steel but scratches more easily
• Ceramic: Extremely scratch-resistant but nearly impossible to repair if damaged

Bracelet Scratches

These are often the most visible scratches since bracelets have so much surface area. Techniques vary based on whether the links are polished or brushed.

DIY Scratch Removal for Acrylic Crystals

If you have scratches on an acrylic crystal (also called Hesalite or plexiglass), you’re in luck! These are the easiest to fix at home.

PolyWatch Method (My Go-To Solution)

What you’ll need:

• PolyWatch plastic polish (about $10 online)
• Microfiber cloth
• A bit of patience

Steps:

1. Clean the crystal thoroughly with a mild soap and water
2. Apply a small amount of PolyWatch to the crystal
3. Using a microfiber cloth, rub in small circular motions for 2-3 minutes
4. Wipe clean and check your progress
5. Repeat if necessary for deeper scratches

I’ve used this method countless times on my vintage watches, and it works like magic on light to moderate scratches. For really deep gouges, you might need to repeat the process several times.

I once brought back a vintage Timex that looked like it had been used as a hockey puck, and while it took about 4 applications, the improvement was dramatic. Just don’t expect absolute perfection for serious damage.

Toothpaste Method (The Budget Alternative)

What you’ll need:

• Plain white toothpaste (NOT gel – you want the slightly abrasive kind)
• Microfiber cloth
• Cotton swabs for precision work

Steps: Same as the PolyWatch method, but using toothpaste instead.

This works on the same principle as PolyWatch – mild abrasives that remove a microscopic layer of the acrylic along with the scratch. It’s less effective than PolyWatch but can work in a pinch if you’re desperate and can’t wait for shipping.

I’ve had mixed results with this method. It definitely improves light scratches, but doesn’t quite have the fine abrasives that make PolyWatch so effective. Think of it as scratch reduction rather than removal.

Brasso Method (For Deeper Scratches)

What you’ll need:

• Brasso metal polish
• Microfiber cloths
• Rubber gloves (this stuff is harsh on skin)

Steps:

1. Apply Brasso to a cloth (not directly to the crystal)
2. Rub in circular motions for 3-5 minutes
3. Buff clean with a fresh cloth
4. Follow up with PolyWatch for final finishing

This is my “nuclear option” for acrylic crystals with serious scratches. Brasso is more aggressive than PolyWatch, so it cuts through deeper scratches but leaves a hazier finish. That’s why I always follow up with PolyWatch for final clarity.

Word of caution here – Brasso is pretty strong stuff, so only use it on acrylic crystals, never on mineral or sapphire!

Dealing with Mineral Crystal Scratches

Mineral crystal is tougher than acrylic but also much harder to repair at home. Your options are more limited here.

Diamond Paste Method (Advanced)

What you’ll need:

• Diamond polishing paste (various grits from 3000-50000)
• Felt polishing tips
• Rotary tool (like a Dremel)
• Lots of patience and a steady hand

Steps:

1. Start with a higher grit (less abrasive) paste first to test
2. Apply a tiny amount to the felt tip
3. Use the rotary tool at LOW speed
4. Work very gently over the scratch
5. Progress through finer grits
6. Clean thoroughly between grits

I’m going to be straight with you – I’ve tried this exactly once on a scratch in a mineral crystal, and the results were… let’s just say less than professional. It’s really difficult to get right without proper equipment and experience. Unless you’re very comfortable with detail work and don’t mind risking further damage, this might be better left to professionals.

The Practical Reality for Mineral Crystals

For most mineral crystal scratches, your best options are:

1. Learn to live with it (my usual choice)
2. Replace the crystal (usually costs $30-80 at a watchmaker)
3. Use the scratch as an excuse to upgrade to a sapphire crystal (if available for your watch model)

I know that’s not the miracle solution you were hoping for, but mineral crystal is in that frustrating middle ground where it’s not easily fixable like acrylic but not nearly as scratch-resistant as sapphire.

Sapphire Crystal Scratch “Removal”

I’m putting “removal” in quotes because the truth is, if you’ve actually scratched a sapphire crystal (which is rare), you’re probably not fixing it at home. Sapphire is extremely hard (9 on the Mohs scale), which is why it’s so scratch-resistant in the first place.

What most people think are scratches on their sapphire crystals are usually one of these:

1. Scratches in the anti-reflective coating (not the crystal itself)
2. Smudges that look like scratches until properly cleaned
3. Extremely fine surface scratches that can only be polished out with specialized diamond equipment

For Anti-Reflective Coating Scratches

If the scratches are in the AR coating (usually on the outside of the crystal), you have two realistic options:

1. Live with it (these are usually only visible at certain angles)
2. Have the AR coating completely removed by a watchmaker (typically $50-100)

I had this done on a watch where the outer AR coating was getting very scratched up. The watchmaker removed all the external AR, leaving just the underside coating. The watch was slightly more reflective afterward but looked much better without all the coating scratches.

For Actual Sapphire Scratches

If you’ve somehow managed to actually scratch the sapphire itself (did you drag it along a diamond?), your options are:

1. Crystal replacement (usually $150-300 depending on the watch)
2. Professional refinishing at a specialized service center (expensive and often not worth it)

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but sapphire’s extreme hardness is a double-edged sword – almost nothing scratches it, but once scratched, almost nothing can fix it either.

Removing Scratches from Watch Cases

Case scratches are often the most noticeable, especially on polished surfaces that show every little mark. The good news is that many case scratches can be improved at home.

For Polished Stainless Steel Surfaces

What you’ll need:

• Cape Cod Polishing Cloths (my preferred option)
• Microfiber cloths
• Painter’s tape (to protect areas you don’t want to polish)
• Rubber gloves (optional but recommended)

Steps:

1. Clean the watch thoroughly
2. Use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want to polish (especially the crystal)
3. Take a Cape Cod cloth and apply gentle pressure in circular motions
4. After a minute or two, buff with a clean microfiber cloth
5. Repeat if necessary

Cape Cod cloths are pretty amazing for polished surfaces. They’ve saved several of my watches from scratch purgatory. They work by removing a microscopic layer of the metal along with the scratch, so you don’t want to overdo it. But for moderate scratches on polished surfaces, they’re hard to beat.

I fixed a nasty scratch on my Orient Bambino’s polished bezel this way, and unless you knew exactly where to look under just the right light, you’d never know it was there.

For Brushed Stainless Steel

Brushed finishes are trickier because you need to maintain the directional grain pattern.

What you’ll need:

• Scotch-Brite pads (green for deeper scratches, gray for finishing)
• Painter’s tape
• Steady hand and patience

Steps:

1. Identify the direction of the brushing pattern
2. Tape off all areas you don’t want to affect
3. Using the Scotch-Brite pad, stroke ONLY in the direction of the existing brushing pattern
4. Use light pressure and check your progress frequently
5. Finish with the gray (finer) pad to match the factory finish

I’ve had mixed success with this method. On simple brushed surfaces like the sides of some watch cases, it works pretty well. For more complicated surfaces with multiple brushing directions… let’s just say my first attempt left something to be desired. Practice on an old watch first if possible!

For Gold, Gold-Plated, and PVD Coated Watches

My sincere advice: Don’t try to remove scratches from these at home.

Gold is extremely soft and easy to overpolish. Gold-plated and PVD-coated watches have a very thin surface layer that you can wear through entirely if you attempt to polish out scratches.

The risk of causing more damage is much higher than the potential benefit. These are best left to professionals or simply accepted as character marks.

I learned this lesson the hard way on a gold-plated vintage piece. What started as a small scratch became a noticeable worn spot where I polished through the plating to the base metal. Not my finest moment!

Bracelet Scratch Removal

Watch bracelets, especially polished center links, are scratch magnets. Here’s how to tackle them:

For Polished Bracelet Links

The Cape Cod cloth method described above works extremely well here. Just be methodical and work your way through the bracelet one link at a time.

For serious desk-diving scratches, I’ve found this process can take the bracelet from “obviously worn” to “nearly new” in about 30 minutes of work. Just be careful around any edges or transitions between polished and brushed surfaces.

For Brushed Bracelet Links

The Scotch-Brite method works here too. The key things to remember are:

1. Maintain the direction of the grain
2. Use light pressure
3. Be consistent across all links
4. Don’t rush

If your bracelet has alternating polished and brushed sections, use painter’s tape to protect the polished areas while working on the brushed parts and vice versa.

When to Call in the Professionals

While DIY methods can work wonders for many scratches, there are definitely times when professional help is the better option:

• Valuable or luxury watches – Don’t practice on your Rolex!
• Scratches near delicate components like gaskets or the crystal edge
• Vintage watches where originality matters
• Deep gouges that go beyond surface scratches
• Ceramic or hardened materials that require specialized equipment

Professional refinishing typically costs anywhere from $50-500 depending on the watch and extent of damage. For valuable pieces, it’s often money well spent.

Prevention: The Best Cure

While scratches are part of a watch’s journey, a few habits can minimize the damage:

• Be mindful around doorframes, desk edges and metal surfaces – these are scratch hotspots!
• Consider a watch with appropriate durability for your lifestyle – don’t buy a highly polished dress watch if you work with your hands
• Use watch rolls or pouches when traveling
• Take your watch off before working on cars, home repairs, or other scratch-prone activities
• Consider protective films for the crystal (though these are controversial among watch enthusiasts)

For what it’s worth, I’ve largely made peace with the fact that my watches will get scratched. Each mark tells a story of places I’ve been and things I’ve done. But for those more noticeable scratches that bug me every time I look at them? These techniques have saved many of my watches from early retirement.

Final Thoughts: Perfection vs. Character

There’s an ongoing debate in the watch community about whether scratches should be removed at all. Some collectors value the “patina” that comes with wear, seeing scratches as part of the watch’s history and character.

Others prefer to keep their watches looking as pristine as possible, regularly addressing scratches to maintain that new-watch appearance.

There’s no right answer here. Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle – I’ll address obvious scratches that catch my eye every time I look at the watch, but I don’t stress about the minor wear that inevitably comes with enjoying our watches as the tools they’re meant to be.

After all, a completely scratch-free watch might just mean it never left the watch box – and what fun is that?

Have you tried removing scratches from your watches? Any techniques that worked particularly well for you? Or do you prefer to let your watches develop character over time? Share your experiences in the comments!

SEE also

Rolex
Omega
Patek Philippe
Audemars Piguet
TAG Heuer
Seiko
Longines
Tissot
Casio
Citizen