I scratched the crystal

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RLF13430

·Sep 12, 2022

I didn’t know when I did it but I scratched the crystal on my Speedmaster 145 022 69 ST.
I hope someone can give me some advice on how to polish without ruining it.

Many thanks in advance.

 

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gbesq

·Sep 12, 2022

Tape off the bezel with masking tape. Get a tube of PolyWatch and follow the directions. There are video tutorials on YouTube.

 

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Evitzee

·Sep 12, 2022

Those look like pretty deep scratches, start with Polywatch but you may need something stronger.

 

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Cenzo

·Sep 12, 2022

I had a small but deep scratch in my 1861 crystal (look above 12 o'clock - After on the left in the picture). You could feel it with your fingernail. Polywatch did a very nice job on it. . Let us know how it turns out and good luck!

Scratch or no scratch - that's a beauty!

 

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RLF13430

·Sep 12, 2022

Thanks everyone! I’ll get some PolyWatch and post an after photo.

 

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Men

·Sep 15, 2022

If polywatch should not do the job..sanding paper would be the way to go. Start with 400 and work you way up to 2000 and finish with polywatch again. Sanding the whole glass but be sure your perpendicular on the deep scratch.

 

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MRC

·Sep 15, 2022

For effective bezel protection get one of these circle cutters from pretty much any hobby or craft shop, measure the bezel and take a sticky label (this is a discarded test page from my label printer).

Then your bezel is well protected -- no, I don't usually use gorilla tape, it was just handy at the time.

 

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RLF13430

·Sep 15, 2022

Thank you!

 

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Olhenry56

·Sep 16, 2022

MRC

For effective bezel protection get one of these circle cutters from pretty much any hobby or craft shop, measure the bezel and take a sticky label (this is a discarded test page from my label printer).

Then your bezel is well protected -- no, I don't usually use gorilla tape, it was just handy at the time.

Nice tip. Out of curiosity, what purpose do the marks on the tape serve?

 

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SkunkPrince

·Sep 16, 2022

gbesq

Tape off the bezel with masking tape. Get a tube of PolyWatch and follow the directions. There are video tutorials on YouTube.

I have never used tape when polishing a crystal. You want to, fine, you should do it! But get 3M blue tape, not some generic "masking tape".

 

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MRC

·Sep 17, 2022

Olhenry56

Nice tip. Out of curiosity, what purpose do the marks on the tape serve?

Just an old photo. There was a discussion a couple of years ago about obtaining a tachy bezel, this was my DIY version.

 

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RLF13430

·Sep 18, 2022

Wanted to follow up with and THANK everyone who jumped in to help me with my scratched crystal. Ordered the PolyWatch and followed the directions on the tube and just to be sure, watched a couple of YouTube. First time it worked really well. Here are before and after photos.

Again, Thank you all!

 

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Cenzo

·Sep 18, 2022

It's good stuff! Should be in the toolbox of any Hesalite owner. Glad it worked out. Looks great and beautiful watch.