Plastic Crystal Scratches

[erwin]

Gentlemen,
Would you recommend replacing a Crystal on a Rolex Datejust Watch because of minor scratches? Will this lose the originality of the watch itself and probably the resistance in water?
My watch is a little scratched-up ( but still looks good ). Someone offered to replace the original crystal with a sapphire for a cheap price but I am afraid that it will lose its originality! Would you agree? Can anyone tell me if there is some kind of compound that I could use to buff the scratches and polished it as well?
Best Regards
Erwin

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Some PolyWatch paste will fix those scratches.

Click here!

[YuppieKid]

[mike]

Another vote for poly-watch. Some have also used Brasso and toothpaste.

Noteworthy; The replacement of an acryllic crystal is something done by Rolex at service. Over time acrylliccan develop stress cracks compromising waterproofing.

Attempting to replace an acryllic crystal with a sapphire is not a good idea.

[Tools]

All are good suggestions.

My AD has a watchmker in the back and he will polish a crystal in less than a minute...no charge..

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by mike

Another vote for poly-watch. Some have also used Brasso and toothpaste.

Noteworthy; The replacement of an acryllic crystal is something done by Rolex at service. Over time acrylliccan develop stress cracks compromising waterproofing.

Attempting to replace an acryllic crystal with a sapphire is not a good idea.

Agreed!
Some look at an acryllic crystal as inferior. I love the luster, glow, and anti glare qualities of plastic.
dP

[zak98]

Originally Posted by mike

Another vote for poly-watch. Some have also used Brasso and toothpaste.

Noteworthy; The replacement of an acryllic crystal is something done by Rolex at service. Over time acrylliccan develop stress cracks compromising waterproofing.

Attempting to replace an acryllic crystal with a sapphire is not a good idea.

do not mean to hijack. but where can i get "poly-watch" product?

thanks!

[erwin]

Just ordered from Ebay!

[Jocke]

A plastic crystal scratch easy and you can polish it easy too.

A plastic crystal is cheap to replace.

Here I will show you how easy you can fix a scratched crystal

As you see it looks real bad. Notice the time at the watch.







So I put on some tape at the lug.



And a knife will be handy.



Pop, off with the bezel.



This is good stuff.



This is what is inside the box.



So I apply a little of the compound.



And move it it circles.



And here is what I got.



It took me around 10 minutes as you can see.



I hope it helps.

Jocke

[BiG JeEzY]

Wow, great pictures there Jocke!

Its a very great way to see the CrystalClear buffer and polisher work its magic.

[steveespo]

Jocke always has amazing pictures.
It's amaing what you can do yourself with a little reseach and elbow grease........and the proper tools of course

[zak98]

thanks all! will have to get some for my wifes' daily watch.

and my datejust, when i do get a scratch on it.

mike

[BuffaloRolex]

I have grown to really love the acryllic! It does have an incredible look and feel.

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by zak98

do not mean to hijack. but where can i get "poly-watch" product?

thanks!

This place has virtually any watch repair item you may need:

http://www.ofrei.com/page721.html

[StanGMT]

Does anyone know if PolyWatch paste or Crystalclear is available in the UK? I've never been able to get my hands on any 'proper' jeweller's rouge.

Over the years I have just used a good quality car polish to take out scratches from my GMT crystal. For bad scratches I've sometimes used car cutting compound first. It has always worked and in the 5-7 years between servicing (when the crystal is replaced) I've never encountered any adverse reaction between the crystal and the polish solvents.

Stan,