[Daveyc84]

Hi All

I am looking for some sage advice on cleaning watch cases and bracelets.
Over the years I have collected a number of watches, some very cheap quartz pieces and other slightly more expensive purchases such as a few 50’s Seamaster’s and my work horse, the Tissot V8.

Unfortunately, due to my job and hobbies a couple of them are starting to look a bit grubby with grime between the links, around the crystal and a few scratches to the case and bracelet.

I am pretty hands on and would really like to have a go at cleaning them up myself. However, before diving in and ruining my watches in an attempt to clean them up, I wanted to do my research.

Could anyone tell me what are the best, most appropriate methods /materials to use when cleaning watch cases and bracelets particularly those made of stainless steel and how would you approach the different finishes, for example a brushed finish.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated:smile:

Many Thanks

 

[tomsimac]

Start with a tooth brush
Remove grime and dirt
Never polish gold plating ..... It's thin
Some marks are ok
I have an Accutron Spaceview, Gp is still intact after 40 years
It's not meant to look new. Lightly buff

As for stainless, after cleaning I use 0000 steel wool. The zeroes are important
Deep marks... I use aa required, a fine file, some very fine sand paper and the steel wool

For polishing I use a Dremel to apply fine paste, there are pastes for each metal...
Important use clean materials. Don't use a buffer if used on a different metal or rouge

Home Depot sells a kit, for a few bucks you really can clean up a watch

I also use the scotch guard type of swirl or small deal marks on my watches, and bought one for the Ti bands and deploy. I'm not sure if it's really a brand, but on eBay some do sell nice stuff. Also use causiously the cloths, Cape Cod etc. these are stronger than one thinks
So be safe. Tape the crystals, work slow. It's an act of love at times, be gentle

 

[RickF]

I've been using an ultrasonic cleaner for watch bands or rather bracelets. It works great! After 2 or 3 minutes it sparkles. You can get one from Home Depot or Amazon dot com. I have the SPT UC0609 which cost me about $35.

Link:
http://t.homedepot.com/p/SPT-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-UC-0609/202498189?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cBase&gclid=CPqS09ig1cMCFZSEfgodZG4AMA&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[PsiFox]

intereting thread, thanks. I currently have a kit from Veraet for cleaning watches, bracelets and straps.

 

[Daveyc84]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated !!

 

[slowmotion]

I use a soft tooth brush with some very gentile hand soap. All my watches are either titanium or SS. I like all the small nicks and scratches. It gives the watch character and there is a story behind every one of them. If i feel the need for a pristine looking watch I buy another one. Its a convenient excuse which I use frequently.

 

[PsiFox]

Oh and welcome from a fellow UK'er

 

[Cyclenby]

For a quick clean on bracelet and maybe bezel I use this if my too bad or in need of the toothbrush. Plus if I am in a hurry and don't feel like removing bracelet this a good clean for the daily wear ahead. Obviously, everyone sells this blue liquid I happened to get my as a door gift locally when I purchased something.

 

[gatsuk]

I use a fine toothbrush with liquid dishwashing soap.
I find the kind to be much more thorough in removing dirt and grime.
I mostly have divers so it usually doesn't matter if the bracelet is on or not.

 

[westsiderkg]

careful, patina can also be a good thing!

 

[GinoLicious]

I've been using an ultrasonic cleaner for watch bands or rather bracelets. It works great! After 2 or 3 minutes it sparkles. You can get one from Home Depot or Amazon dot com. I have the SPT UC0609 which cost me about $35.

Link:
http://t.homedepot.com/p/SPT-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-UC-0609/202498189?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cBase&gclid=CPqS09ig1cMCFZSEfgodZG4AMA&gclsrc=aw.ds

That thing looks wild. I may look into buying one of those.

And steel wool goes a long way to polish up the bracelet and remove any scratches.

 

[arogle1stus]

It may not be according to Hoyle but I use a soft toothbrush and good ole
Texas H2O. Never had a prob using this method.
Desk diver swirls mar my watches and bracelets than using plain ole water
and a soft tooth brush. I found Wisk or any other cleanser more harmful
than my tried and true method

X traindriver Art

 

[Chazman1946]

Old tooth brush and a non-abrasive tooth gel, scrub up to a minute or two, then rinse with cold water and dry with a towel.

To touch up the scratches on a brushed stainless steel band and case, I use Scotch-Brite pad and brush lightly in one direction.

 

[GinoLicious]

Old tooth brush and a non-abrasive tooth gel, scrub up to a minute or two, then rinse with cold water and dry with a towel.

To touch up the scratches on a brushed stainless steel band of case, I use Scotch-Brite pad and brush lightly in one direction.

Thats an interesting tip for the scratches with the Scotch Brite pad.

How are the results?

 

[TimeBomb]

Soft Toothbrush and this>>>VERAET's WristClean