Polishing center links

[dramsey]

After 18 months of near-daily wear, my GMT IIc has accumulated its share of fine scratches on the band. Taping the center of the band and hitting the edges with a Scotchbrite pad quickly restore the edges, but I can't seem to get the polished centers right. For the center I used a Dremel polishing wheel and jeweler's rouge (red), and it helps, but I wind up with what I'd call an extremely fine semi-brushed finish rather than the mirror finish the link centers originally had.

Of course, I could make my life much simpler by just making everything brushed...but do you guys have suggestions getting that factory mirror shine?

[bodybump]

dramsey..i think you should leave your watch alone..if you dont know what your doinf it will only gets worst...once you polish it the next day it will get scratched again...but to answer your question..use cape cod cleaning cloth..it will help make it shine a bit...just wear and enjoy it..then if you cant stand the scratch have it polish in any watchmaker..it will only cost you less than $150....

[bodybump]

18 months for $150 of refinishing is worth it...

[bry1975]

Dramsey,


Mirror finishing is quite a laborious process with many different stages required. And if you get the slightest bit of contamination(known as crap) you get a crap finish. Sounds like you've missed out the coarser polishing compound prior to the final polishing compound. It takes practise I know I've been there :(


Regs

Bry

[BLACK DIAMOND]

I do like the GMT IIc, but because of the polished center links, I personally would likely never buy one. I think polished stainless steel is really nice when it is perfectly polished with no scratches, etc. But, once scratched, I'd much rather have brushed stainless steel or matte, to hide all the wear and tear......and it's virtually impossible to not scratch up the polished center links.....from just wearing it normal, the high shine is going to take a beating.

[TheVTCGuy]

Now HERE'S an idea! Hey Rolex, why not offer the choice so that your buyers could have PCLs if they want, or brushed if not. I hope they're listening!

[bry1975]

IMO the bracelet links should be either brushed or mirrored.

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by thevtcguy

now here's an idea! Hey rolex, why not offer the choice so that your buyers could have pcls if they want, or brushed if not. I hope they're listening!

x2

[postiff]

It’s like polishing rocks. It takes time and several different steps. But as others have said just leave it as it is only going to get scratched up again in a few days. IMO as long as the dial and bezel look good as new I could careless how the bracelet looks. From 3 feet away the PCL’s still look good.

[dramsey]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll leave it as is for now and may go brushed later on...or have it done professionally.

[yannis]

I would wait untill the 5 year service is due and do it then.

[VTSKL]

apply the "stuff" from a capecod, and hit the links with your dremel.....100% succes.

[JJ Irani]

Nothing wrong with polished centre links on the APPROPRIATE watch!!

[sheldonsmith]

for polishing compound, use Green rather than red. Green is designed for stainless steel. For the center links, I use Cape Cod. For the most part, I just let the mirror finish get scratched hoping that it will turn brushed someday...

-Sheldon

[train-time]

Wear it and enjoy it for a while. When it looks too bad, just ship it off to Dalton in LA and for a VERY REASONABLE price it will come back in a FEW DAYS looking BRAND NEW!!

[2th Dr]

What type of wheel are you using? If you're using a ragwheel with rouge, you won't get a mirror finish. you need a chamois wheel for that.

[ROBERT123]

Dramsey, the $150.00 cost for polishing is not worth it, unless you are about ready to sell your watch. After the polish, it will be a matter of days before you get the same scratches again, just leave it and enjoy your watch.

[ROBERT123]

Dramsey, the $150.00 cost for polishing is not worth it, unless you are about ready to sell your watch. After the polish, it will be a matter of days before you get the same scratches again, just leave it and enjoy your watch.

[ROBERT123]

Dramsey, the $150.00 cost for polishing is not worth it, unless you are about ready to sell your watch. After the polish, it will be a matter of days before you get the same scratches again, just leave it and enjoy your watch.