The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi -

I recently purchased a pre-owned Steelfish. It is almost new - but there were a couple of tiny scratches/swirls on the polished vertical sides.

I read the articles and posts on this website about polishing watches using Cape Cod cloths - so I bought some, taped off the brushed areas and the crystal and used the Cape Cods. Everything looked good at first....but then as I looked harder I noticed that it merely added luster to the watch - but the swirls and scratches were still there....and they arent deep, so I plan on trying again later.

After buffing everything and rinsing the watch off, I have noticed a few minor scratches on the *brushed* surfaces on 2 of the horns. It is possible they were there when I got the watch and I didnt notice them before...or else it is also possible I caused them when I was using the Cape Cods. Now that I have noticed them, however, they will probably drive me crazy.

Anyway, I will probably just live with them - they are minor, but I was wondering if many people would use Scotch Brite (like described in the articles) for this, or only the real adventurous? I can clearly see which way the brushing goes on the brushed surfaces...so I think it would be fairly easy to brush over the scratches along those lines. But I was wondering if I will then need to go and re-brush over all of the other brushed surfaces? Or will the untouched brushed areas look the same as the areas I ran the Scotch Brite pad over?

Also, how much metal do the Cape Cod cloths take off? I have read that they are gentle...but are they safe to use periodically?

Whatever I do, I dont want to mess it up..I am already worried I caused the scratches on the brushed areas...however, if fixing the brushed areas is an easy fix I dont mind doing it.

Thanks for any help.
Mike

1. It takes time to remove even hairline scratches, so go at it again.

2. Your arms would fall off before you removed any appreciable amount of SS - don't even worry about it.

3. Did you tape off the top of the lugs where the scratches are?

4. If they are truly just scratches on the lug tops, they were likely already there - the cape cod tends to turn brushed to polished. It is possible you did it, but not too likely.

5. Scotchbrite pads are good for resurfacing brushed finishes. I refinished an entire Tag Link bracelet once and it was easy and looked great. I turned a couple polished deployants for rubber straps into brushed. BUT I would not use a scotchbrite on the top of a Steelfish lug!!! It's a very noticable spot with very specific brushing in terms of direction, depth, etc... Take it into a reputable dealer who can use more advanced tools and abrasives to do this. I would not risk it and it will cost you under $100.

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SHARKMAN

Thanks for your reply.

I taped the crystal and the brushed areas, including the lugs. However, I think that a little of the Cape Cod solution got onto one of the lugs as the tape there pulled up. However, I didnt rub it off or anything. Instead when I was done I rinsed the entire watch off and then washed it with warm water and dish soap.

So I think youre right that they were probably there - the finish is definitely still brushed on the lugs. They arent very bad and scratches do happen anyway...and since it is in such a noticeable area I will follow your advice and not risk it with Scotch Brites.

I will try using the Cape Cods again....and sometime in the future, if I ever get any really bad scratches, I will take it to a jeweler or a watchmaker and have him remove them.

Thanks again.