Hi all I have an 18k Omega and I've noticed it has a little brown stain. You can see it in the photos below. Is this 'normal' in old gold watches? From what I've read online it seems the mix of other metals in the gold can cause this. Is there any way to remove these sort of stains?
Try using a Q-tip in mild dishwashing soap. Soak the Q-tip and apply carefully around the area. Or a gold polishing cloth should work.
Some people like to retain the patina, it shows the watch hasn't been overly polished. If you do want to remove it then gently with a gold polish and a soft cloth.
Just a bit of tarnish... Gold is reactive, though much less so than most base metals. I'd leave it alone.
I would keep this "stain" as it is real patina and a proof that the case has not been polished for a looooong time! Hard core collectors like this kinda stuff - me too...
^ This, its like dust on a rare wine bottle you leave that stuff where it is, its a great sign of an unpolished (or at least not recently polished) watch.
If you remove the tarnish on one area it will stick out like a sore thumb. You would probably have to polish the whole case and ruin any nice patina that has accumulated over the years.
Personally I don't see the attraction to tarnish on a vintage gold watch. Maybe it depends on whether one is going to wear the watch or just look at it. I always wear mine so when I receive a heavily tarnished watch, part of the `making mine` ritual is to give it a clean. If gold, then that will mean bringing back some kind of lustre to the case. I love this part of the whole hunting/buying/waiting/arrival process, although I can understand the appeal of tarnish to others. This Deluxe hadn´t been touched in at least 25 years before I bought it and is the most extreme gold tarnish I have encountered, a vivid metallic pinky purple colour over pretty much the whole case. It was a pleasure to reveal the bright 18kt gold underneath
Rouge is used as a polishing compound on gold, usually with a buffing wheel. If you don't like the tarnishing that's present, a quick hand polish with a gold polishing cloth with remove it is seconds. In the uk Town Talk are the main brand. I assume Cape Cod or similar make these in the US. They cost a couple of quid, come impregnated with polish and can be stored and reused.
This is post service with a correct replacement crown, although there was nothing done to the case during service and there still a little tarnish on the top right lug.
One size does not fit all. I have a gold Speedy that had quite a bit of tarnish (aka patina), and I found it quite unattractive. It was spotty/blotchy and inconsistent. The collector in me said "don't polish". The enthusiast in me said "polish it and bring it back to its original 18k yellow gold lustre". Well, in the end, I found someone I trust to refinish the case and it came out AMAZING. I'm convinced that, for me, it was the right decision. I'm also realistic, the tarnish will return (hopefully more even and attractive next time), and that polishing in the future is not a good option as the case will start to look overpolished and lose too much value.
patina on a gold watch = dirt. it can be cleaned off without overpolishing so why put up with it. (my Dad always said" there's a difference between scratching and tearing holes boy") To each his own but I always figured I bought the gold watch (a '55 Tresor) because I wanted a gold watch, not brown or grungy, I was after class! I've likely ruined it with my Q-Tip!
What is the best way or method to clean tarnish as the before pix really looks heavily tarnished? Do you use a jeweler's cleaning cloth alone or do you apply something? Thanks in advance.
Blue Blitz cloth. $5 all over eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blitz-Jewel...003546?hash=item4d1bddd0da:g:-B8AAMXQrhdTUELtPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network This does not remove texturing on the metal. Some others, like the Cape Cod cloth will make it "Oooh...shiny". gatorcpa