Watch Polishing & Case Refurbishment
Restore the showroom shine of your timepiece. We expertly remove scratches, scuffs, and dents while strictly preserving the original case geometry and sharp lines.
Expert Watch Polishing in Lancashire & UK-Wide
A luxury watch is designed to catch the light, but over time, daily wear reduces that brilliance to a dull haze of hairline scratches, desk-diving scuffs, and impact dents. Many high-street jewellers simply use a soft mop wheel to buff the watch, which creates a shiny but “melted” look—rounding off the sharp chamfers and ruining the crisp definition that defines brands like Rolex and Audemars Piguet. This is known as “over-polishing,” and it can significantly harm your watch’s value.
At Prime Time Watch Repairs, we approach refurbishment differently. We treat it as architectural restoration. Using specialist lapping machines and laser-welding technology, we restore the metal rather than just removing it. We understand the critical difference between the circular satin grain on a TAG Heuer clasp and the mirror-polished flanks of an Omega Speedmaster. We meticulously tape, mask, and refinish each section of the case and bracelet individually, ensuring the contrast between brushed and polished surfaces is restored to factory specifications.
Get a free estimateOur Polishing & Refurbishment Process
We do not simply “buff” watches. We follow a strict multi-stage refinishing protocol.
We never polish a watch with the movement inside. The vibrations and heat can damage the mechanics. We fully strip the watch case and bracelet, removing the movement, crystal, pushers, and gaskets. The metal is then ultrasonically cleaned to remove dirt that could cause deep scratches during polishing.
Traditional polishing removes metal to level out a scratch. If a dent is too deep, polishing it out would deform the case. Instead, we use a micro-laser to melt matching steel (e.g., 904L) or 18k Gold into the dent, filling it up. This allows us to restore the surface without thinning the watch case.
To restore sharp edges (like the bevels on a Rolex Submariner lug), we use a flat lapping machine with diamond paste. This ensures the sides of the case remain perfectly flat and the edges remain razor-sharp, rather than rounded and “soapy.”
Different brands use different grain textures. We use specific abrasive wheels and belts to recreate the fine “hairline” brush of a bracelet or the deep sunburst finish of a bezel. We ensure the grain runs perfectly straight and parallel.
For the high-gloss areas (case sides, centre links), we use a traditional polishing motor with graded mops and compounds. We work through coarse to ultra-fine compounds to achieve a “black polish”—a mirror finish so deep it looks black at certain angles.
Polishing compounds are greasy and abrasive. Once finished, the case parts undergo a final, intensive ultrasonic cleaning cycle to remove every trace of residue before the watch is reassembled.
See why hundreds of customers trust us with their watch polishing & refurbishment
Brands we cover for watch polishing & refurbishment
We regularly perform watch polishing & refurbishment on major brands including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier and more.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions our customers ask.
If you have a modern watch (Rolex Datejust, TAG Heuer, Breitling), professional polishing restores it to “like new” condition and generally makes it easier to sell. If you have a vintage collectible (e.g., a 1970s Submariner), we advise against polishing. Collectors prefer original scratches (patina) over a restored case. We will always consult you first.
Yes, traditional polishing removes a microscopic layer of metal to level the surface. However, because we use laser welding for deep dents, we remove significantly less metal than other polishers, preserving the lifespan of your case.
Yes. We are experts in refinishing 18k Yellow, Rose, and White Gold. We can also refinish Titanium (often found on Tudor Pelagos or Omega), though this requires specific techniques to prevent the metal from heating up and spotting.
Yes. A full refurbishment includes the watch head, the bezel, the case back, and the full bracelet and clasp. We take care to stiffen the bracelet links if possible, but polishing is primarily cosmetic.
Absolutely. This is our speciality. Many repairers polish the lugs until they are round. We use lapping techniques to re-cut the sharp, diagonal bevel (chamfer) on the edge of the lugs, returning the watch to its original aggressive profile.
Because a tiny amount of metal is removed, we recommend a full polish no more than once every 5 to 7 years (usually alongside a full service). Light polishing with a cloth is fine, but machine polishing should be done sparingly.
Back