Bracelet Factory Finish / Refinish

rjdemarco · Aug 3, 2020

I’ve recently used Red and Green scotch-brite pads to refinish a TAG 2000 bracelet with nice results. I sandwich one end of the removed bracelet between two pads and pull the bracelet in one straight and steady motion. This technique produces a fairly consistent and straight brush stroke. Upon inspection with a handheld microscope, the brush strokes are generally straight but certainly not as consistent and evenly spaced like the factory finish. So, does anyone know how the factory finish is actually created? And, how is the finish restored when a watch is serviced? Same technique as original finish?

wsfarrell · Aug 3, 2020

I like the satin wheels that Bergeon sells in several grades for buffers. And contrary to intuition (mine, anyway), the straightest most even finish is obtained by moving the bracelet back and forth across the wheel. That is, holding the bracelet vertically, you move it from left to right, not up and down.

PRW · Aug 3, 2020

rjdemarco
I’ve recently used Red and Green scotch-brite pads to refinish a PO bracelet with nice results. I sandwich one end of the removed bracelet between two pads and pull the bracelet in one straight and steady motion. This technique produces a fairly consistent and straight brush stroke. Upon inspection with a handheld microscope, the brush strokes are generally straight but certainly not as consistent and evenly spaced like the factory finish. So, does anyone know how the factory finish is actually created? And, how is the finish restored when a watch is serviced? Same technique as original finish?

Any photos?

rjdemarco · Aug 4, 2020

This looks capable!
https://www.esslinger.com/bufflex-fb6-satin-finish-buff-choose-grit/

Archer · Aug 4, 2020

wsfarrell
I like the satin wheels that Bergeon sells in several grades for buffers. And contrary to intuition (mine, anyway), the straightest most even finish is obtained by moving the bracelet back and forth across the wheel. That is, holding the bracelet vertically, you move it from left to right, not up and down.

Next time try moving it in circles...

rjdemarco · Aug 4, 2020

Here are some pics from the microscope. This was a TAG 2000 that I received in 1995 for college graduation. I beat the hell out of this strap over the years. Decided to make the middle links brushed too. I will post pictures of brand new PO strap too.

wsfarrell · Aug 4, 2020

Archer
Next time try moving it in circles...

Will do.

Bracelet Factory Finish / Refinish

rjdemarco

wsfarrell

PRW

rjdemarco

Archer

rjdemarco

wsfarrell

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