Let's be clear from the outset: your watch will get scratched. Even 316L stainless steel, even if well-treated. The question isn't how to completely avoid it, but to understand what causes what — and what can be fixed.
Two types of scratches, two outcomes
Micro-scratches
These very fine lines only appear under a certain angle of light. They don't dig into the metal; they only disrupt the reflection on the first few microns. On a mirror-polished surface, they eventually form a satin haze.
They are inherent to use. A wrist rubs against a desk, a sleeve, a seatbelt thousands of times a year. This is the patina of steel, and many find it more beautiful than new.
Deep scratches
These catch on your fingernail. They result from a specific impact against a surface harder than steel: a doorframe, a handle, a set of keys in the same pocket. They won't disappear on their own.
What really causes them
- The bottom of a bag — the primary cause, by far. Keys, coins, zippers work on the case throughout the journey.
- The wrong wrist — wear the watch on your non-dominant hand. Repeated movements come from the other side.
- Paper tissues — their wood fibers are abrasive on a micron scale. Always use a microfiber cloth, nothing else.
- Sports — weightlifting, cycling, DIY: remove your watch. A single contact with a cast iron bar is enough.
- Stacking — a watch stored against another, or against a bracelet, will scratch each other.
What you can do yourself
Not much, and that's a good thing. Abrasive pastes sold as "scratch removers" remove material: they round off the sharp edges of a case and make it lose its geometry. On a fine watch, the result is irreversible and worse than the scratch.
For a haze of micro-scratches on a brushed surface, a very light pass in the direction of the grain with a watch cleaning gum can even out the appearance. On mirror-polished surfaces, don't attempt anything: only professional polishing yields a clean result.
Professional polishing: use sparingly
A watchmaker can restore a case's shine. But each polish removes a thin layer of metal. Repeated too often, it softens the edges and causes the case to lose its original lines.
The right frequency: when you can no longer stand the appearance, not when you spot a scratch. In other words, rarely.
The glass, however, is almost scratch-proof
Our watches are equipped with sapphire glass — the hardest material after diamond. It resists everyday scratches that would mark a mineral glass in a few months. It's the most exposed part of the watch, and paradoxically the most durable.
However, it remains brittle: a violent shock will crack it instead of scratching it. Hard doesn't mean unbreakable.
The habit that changes everything
Store your watch in its box as soon as you take it off, even overnight. This single action eliminates the majority of deep scratches, because it removes all uncontrolled contact.
Note: everyday scratches are not covered by our 24-month warranty, which covers manufacturing defects of the movement, case, and glass.
If you're torn between a polished finish and a more subdued one, know that matte cases like that of the Tourmaline hide micro-scratches better than a mirror polish. A criterion rarely mentioned, yet useful for daily wear. See all our men's watches and women's watches.
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