Polishing
Scratches on the case, a dull strap, a clasp that looks ten years older than the watch itself. Polishing removes that - and the trick is not to remove more than necessary.
Polishing means removing material
A scratch is a groove in the metal. It only disappears when the metal around it has been ground away to the same depth, and that is the most important thing you need to know about polishing: it is not polishing but precision work to the nearest hundredth. The less that has to go, the better the watch will be.
A cabinet almost never has one finish. The flanks are often high-gloss, the top of the horns brushed, and in between there is a sharp edge that separates the two surfaces. Those edges give a watch its shape. They are also the first thing to disappear when one disk is used over the entire cabinet.
What is preserved
With a vintage watch, the case is part of the value. A case that has been polished too often or too hastily becomes round: the facets disappear, the horns become thinner and narrower, engravings on the bottom become flat. That won't come back.
That is why we first look at what is needed. Sometimes this involves a complete refinish, in which the high-gloss surfaces and the brushed surfaces are built up separately and the edges are brought back sharply. Often it is less: just the top, just the strap, or just ultrasonic cleaning — which makes a watch look a lot better without taking anything off the case.
And sometimes the answer is: do nothing. For a watch with signs of wear, this is a well-defensible choice. It's your watch, so we make that choice together before anything happens.
What it costs
Polishing is charged per part. For gold is the price indication € 60,- for the cupboard, € 80,- for the band and € 100,- for case and strap together. Steel is harder and requires more work: € 120,- for the cupboard, € 120,- for the band and € 160,- for both.
Only ultrasonic cleaning is also possible, and nothing is removed from the metal: € 35,- for the cupboard, € 50,- for case and strap together. It costs a lot to have a case re-gilded € 160,- per share, plus € 55,- per micron layer thickness.
They are indications — every watch is different. You will first receive a quote and we will only start if you agree. The full overview can be found on the Rates page.
Frequently asked questions
Will my vintage watch lose value due to polishing?
That is possible, and that is why polishing is done with restraint. Value is lost as soon as the shape of the case changes: rounded facets, thinned horns, faded engravings. We agree in advance what happens to your cupboard — and doing nothing is also a choice.
Will all scratches be removed?
Not always. A deep scratch or dent is deeper than what is responsible to remove; it becomes less visible instead of invisible. You will hear what is and is not feasible in the price quote.
Can polishing be done at the same time as a service?
Yes, and that is the usual order. During a service, the case opens and the movement is removed, so the case can then be treated without risk. The watch then goes back completely in one go.
Do you also work on vintage watches?
That's most of the work. Especially for older timepieces, parts are no longer for sale and are made or adjusted in the workshop.
Can I come by or do I have to send it?
Both are possible. Visits are by appointment, so that there is time to view the watch together; Shipping is done with an insured box that will be sent to your home.