I get this question a lot. Although Rolex watches are made to be superior in their resistance to scratching and dulling, they will occasionally display minor scratches on the bracelet but you needn’t believe that can’t be fixed. Keep in mind that you should only hand polish those links within the bracelet that have a polished surface, such as the center links in the Oyster Bracelet. Polishing the external links, for example, will damage the burnished finish.
The key to hand polishing your Rolex is a gentle touch. It’s easiest to use a pre-treated cloth designed for stainless steel. These clothes come with the necessary cleaners infused into the cloth, so you’ll avoid over applying the polishing medium and leaving residue behind which can make your bracelet appear dirty, damage the finish, and also interfere with the flexibility of the links.
First and foremost, ensure your polishing cloth only reaches the polished area. You can do that by wrapping the cloth around a cotton swab. It’s important to remember that the polishing medium is a corrosive, though gentle, chemical designed to eat away at imperfections by slipping away slight layers of metal. You don’t want that happening anywhere other than where the metal is designed for that kind of treatment.
You should see hairline scratches in the metal. Apply careful and moderate to low pressure. Don’t buff in circles but instead go with the grain of the metal. A minute or two of polishing is usually all you need to eliminate the scratches. Some stubborn scratches may require a bit more time, but resist the temptation to over polish. Also, be very gentle with areas that have no scratches. A very quick polish is all that’s necessary there.Your Rolex bracelet will keep wonderfully with regular polishing with a gentle touch, and it will be beautiful for years to come.
Any thoughts? Share your comments below.
Bert Levi, store owner Serving San Diego at our brick & mortar store for 42 years.