Acrylic crystal buffing? 35 yo GMT

[SuperTuscan]

Greetings, I’m new to this forum for the very purpose of finding out how to clean/ polish the crystal on my 1986 GMT. It’s actually in pretty good shape and here’s some pictures to look at. The GMT has normal wear and tear. From what I’ve seen on the internet, I’ve seen people demonstrate PolyWatch, Brasso, toothpaste, from buffers attached to a drill (hilarious btw), etc. etc. but what is the best recommendation out there?
I do recall there used to be Rolex service Center here in Los Angeles, now gone but the rep told me an electric buffer polisher could heat the lens and possibly warp the seal and eventually allow water or debris into the watch. Expansion and contraction. Makes sense to me so whatever I choose, it will most likely be by hand.

[Oyster Perp]

Get yourself in front of the TV with a little bit of Brasso and gently rub away for a while over ALL the crystal (nowhere else) using your thumb. You will see a marked difference.

[1675-David]

X2 mask the bezel insert or pop it off altogether. I use chrome polish for this, it’s a bit like toothpaste without the minty freshness.

[1William]

Welcome. I would leave it alone. The watch has the cool vintage look and the crystal is not bad for a watch that age. Just rock it.

[ILuvSubs]

I use PolyWatch. I love seeing those scratches on the plexi disappear after a good buffing.

[Dan S]

Most of those fine scratches will be removed using any plastic polish (Novus, Polywatch, etc.). The one deeper scratch may not come out completely, but you can give it a try, and maybe the result will be acceptable. Polywatch is expensive for what you get, so many people just buy plastic polishes made for automotive use, for example. They come in larger quantities and are much cheaper per oz. On the other hand, if you don't need a large amount, the tiny tube of Polywatch will be sufficient, and you might not care about the cost. Don't overthink it, they all work fine. Just read a couple of threads and give it a try, it's not rocket surgery. Toothpaste will also work reasonably well, but doesn't give quite as good a result if you really look closely. That's just my experience.

To remove deeper scratches, I start with 600 or 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and gradually work down to finer grits (e.g. 2500), and finish with Novus or Polywatch. Usually doesn't take more than 15 minutes. I never mess around with a power tool and I have been able to salvage many crystals that looked pretty bad at first glance.

[springer]

Headlight polish works very well also. As mentioned in this thread, there are many solutions for removing scratches from a watch crystal.

[SuperTuscan]

Terrific responses I’ll give it a shot with poly watch if I can afford a Rolex I can definitely afford 10 bucks. Lol. My biggest issue is when will I have time to do this but I’ll probably do it over the next weekend or two I’ll keep you guys posted.

[Nick9]

Fifteen minutes; it’s easy.

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

I use PolyWatch. I love seeing those scratches on the plexi disappear after a good buffing.

Exactly this, great product and easy to use

[Dr.Smellody]

I like toothpaste and my thumb. It works wonders and leaves a minty fresh after smell.

[Nickn]

Take the bezel off I use 2000 wet a dry to remove deeper scratches autosol then silver polish

[TimeLord2]

Very nice, and not really that many scratches. Just got some Poly Watch myself to remove a few scratches from the new crystal, which is only like 5 months old. I have no idea where they came from. Decided to wait until there are more. Have not seen too many Tiffany & Co. GMTs on this forum.

[Dan S]

A before-and-after from today. 99% of pretty bad scratches easily removed by hand.

[lennywilkins]

Get the glass replaced. The dial is with a fortune - why compromise? You can polish the glass as much as you like but it'll always leave an irritating blur.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Dan S

A before-and-after from today. 99% of pretty bad scratches easily removed by hand.

That looks nice Dan!

[Tools]

If the plexi is decades old, it may well be brittle and no longer flexible enough to provide a proper waterproof seal.

They are expendable, why take the chance.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

That looks nice Dan!

Thank you. I was happy with how it came out.

[Nickn]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

Get the glass replaced. The dial is with a fortune - why compromise? You can polish the glass as much as you like but it'll always leave an irritating blur.

Not is done properly
I Finish with silver polish then buff with soft paper tissue

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Tools

If the plexi is decades old, it may well be brittle and no longer flexible enough to provide a proper waterproof seal.

They are expendable, why take the chance.

I did have the crystal replaced at service a few months back for this very reason. Although, OP if you are not planning on having it serviced anytime soon then certainly give it a quick polish.

[lennywilkins]

Originally Posted by Nickn

Not is done properly
I Finish with silver polish then buff with soft paper tissue

It'll still be blurred.

[Pocosso]

I would recommend Poly, I would try to polish before to change it, I love the rounded edge that the original crystal have. I would try not to loose it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

It'll still be blurred.

I've never had a crystal look "blurred" after it was properly polished. There is a proper technique to polish crystals. I'm sure there are many primers on youtube and elsewhere regarding crystal polishing techniques.