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Writer's pictureBert Levi

How to Remove Scratches from Your Rolex Bracelet

Updated: May 6, 2022


Polished Oyster Bracelet of the Rolex GMT-Master II
Polished Oyster Bracelet of the Rolex GMT-Master II

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 polish those links within the bracelet that have a polished surface, such as the center links in the Oyster Bracelet. Polishing the external links there, for example, will damage the burnished finish.


The key to polishing your Rolex (and you should do so at least every month or two) 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.




Bert Levi Family Jewelers is not affiliated with Rolex SA, and nothing

in this content should be construed as an endorsement by Rolex. We

are not an Official Rolex Dealer, and if you are searching for a new

Rolex, you should visit Rolex.com in order to find an authorized

Dealer. We buy and sell pre-owned Rolexes only.

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©2024 by Bert Levi Family Jewelers.

Levi Family Jewelers Is a Third-Generation Jeweler Committed to Developing Relationships That Last a Lifetime. Part Of That Is Making Something Clear to You. We are not an official dealer for any of the watch brands we sell and have no affiliation with any of the manufacturers. All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. We are not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries, Rolex, www.rolex.com, is under no obligation to warranty-service watches sold by Levi Family Jewelers. Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date President, Submariner, Presidential, Explorer, Sea Dweller, Super President, GMT Master, GMT, YachtMaster, Prince, Milgaus, MasterPiece, Air King, Cosmograph Daytona, and PearlMaster are all registered trademarks of the Rolex Corporation ( Rolex USA, Rolex S.A.) To buy a new Rolex watch, please visit the Rolex website for a list of authorized Rolex dealers near you.

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