How to Remove Scuffs From a Glass Watch Crystal

If your watch has scuffs or scratches on the crystal, it can be difficult to read the time through the imperfections. Before replacing your watch or crystal, try to remove the scuffs. The process is easy, and the materials are few.

Things You'll Need

• Watch
• Thin flathead screwdriver
• Autosol (for plastic crystals)
• Brasso (for glass crystals)
• Clean cloth

Instructions

1. Look at the side of the watch and try to determine how the watch crystal and the back of the watch come apart. Try to find a place where the crystal and the back join where you can wedge them apart. Carefully wedge a thin screwdriver in between the crystal and the case and gently pry the crystal away from the watch case.

2. Determine what your watch crystal is made of. Plastic watch crystals will feel warm to the touch and glass watch crystals will feel cool to the touch.

3. Use either Autosol to polish plastic watch crystals or Brasso to polish glass watch crystals. Place a very small amount of either product on a soft cloth and carefully rub the cloth on the front of the watch crystal in small circles.

4. Work the Autosol or Brasso into the watch crystal thoroughly and then buff out to survey your progress. If the watch crystal is clear of scratches, completely clean off the crystal to finish the process. If scratches remain, repeat with more product until all of the scratches are gone and then clean off all of the product from the watch crystal.

5. Replace the watch crystal by pressing it back onto the case firmly with your fingers. Do not apply too much pressure to the center of the watch crystal; keep the pressure on the edges to avoid breaking the crystal.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a wide variety of designs for how watch crystals and the watch backs are attached to each other. If, in looking at your watch, you cannot easily determine how to remove the watch crystal, you should consult a jeweler for assistance to avoid breaking your watch. It should not be necessary to apply force when removing the watch crystal. The crystal should pop out easily with only a small amount of pressure. If it doesn't, you may want to consult a jeweler.

Resources

• Autosol