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How do I remove watermarks from the edge of my watch face?

Melanieds
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Hi

A couple of months ago I got a watermark in my previously pristine watch. Is there any way I can treat or remove it? It’s only at the edge, near the 8 and 10. Any ideas or suggestions? Photo attached.
E6546897-B399-4289-A6FD-592C7E209E02.jpeg
 
MTROIS
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Melanie,
Do you happen to know when the watch was last serviced?
Assuming it is water, then the watch may not be water-resistant anymore but the stains could also come from something else like an old gasket that is disintegrating or possibly some oil from the movement.
I am tagging @Archer our resident watchmaker to see what his expert take is.

PS: beautiful watch!

EDIT: I was just checking your resent posts and saw that you posted about an experience with “Armstrong Watch”. What was that about!?
 
Donn Chambers
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First thing to do is to get it to a watchmaker for a complete service and to change the gaskets. If you “suddenly” got water damage on the dial, there is very likely water in the case which has potentially started corroding movement parts. As far as cleaning the dial, you really need to have a pro do this — even most watchmakers won’t touch this. You are likely to remove the paint/varnish and damage the dial if the cleaning is too aggressive.

But the key thing is to stop any further moisture intrusion.
 
philips
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That is unfortunate, when the dial was perfect before. I would not attempt any remediation of the dial.
 
Melanieds
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MTROIS MTROIS
Melanie,
Do you happen to know when the watch was last serviced?
Assuming it is water, then the watch may not be water-resistant anymore but the stains could also come from something else like an old gasket that is disintegrating or possibly some oil from the movement.
I am tagging @Archer our resident watchmaker to see what his expert take is.

PS: beautiful watch!

EDIT: I was just checking your resent posts and saw that you posted about an experience with “Armstrong Watch”. What was that about!?

Hi, no issue with Armstrongs beyond what was written, no harm done, they have serviced the watch recently but don’t do face work.

Yes it was a big shame as my fault. I left it in my bag when I went swimming and maybe it caught some dampness from my wrist? Towel? My fault, either way. Any idea how much it would deplete the value?
 
Ravineman
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I would learn to just live with it because sadly it's kinda permanent.

The watches value is half of what is was before the swim. Get it serviced and buy a diver !
 
Melanieds
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It’s been serviced this week. I didn’t swim in it I promise! I paid about £400 for it. As it’s a 9ct gold watch I hope it hasn’t lost all its value - I admit I thought that was cheap.
 
Archer
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Not sure there is much you can do. It really depends on what the marks are, and that’s difficult to see in photos.
 
perks713
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Melanieds Melanieds
It’s been serviced this week. I didn’t swim in it I promise! I paid about £400 for it. As it’s a 9ct gold watch I hope it hasn’t lost all its value - I admit I thought that was cheap.
In my opinion you could sell it tomorrow on eBay and get your money back. Plenty of totally destroyed dials sells for 400-600 every day. If it’s solid 9ct I think it holds the value of your purchase price even with the dial damage.
 
Melanieds
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Thank you! Looking at it more closely I’m wondering if the watch face was repainted at some point and that what I’m seeing is partly that paint flaking off? Clearer photo attached. It is solid 9ct gold with original winder.
 
26050034-B368-494B-8AF3-71460EEC0CDA.jpeg
Archer
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It could be something on the surface, but more likely the water has gone under the top layer of finish.
 
Walrus
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Melanieds Melanieds
Thank you. My leg hurts from kicking myself.
Ha ha don’t be so hard on yourself. I was upset when I banged my speedy auto which was flawless into a hardwood chair I just put together. I was just putting the finishing touches on it (the chair) and my wife moved the chair when I had my back turned so when I turned back around I hit it. These things happen. Adds a little character, a personalization. Like your initials.
That is probably all you are seeing right now when you look at the watch. What I see is a mostly nice dial. Moisture and watches can be a bad mix. It remains a nice looking gold watch to my eyes.
 
Dan S
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That's unfortunate. I don't know of any reliable way to fix something like that. Give it some time and see whether the watch still gives you joy.
 
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