Expert Guide · Published by Pierre-Yves · MisterChrono Paris
Polywatch and Cape Cod: The Complete Guide to Polishing Watch Glass and Case
Two essential products, two distinct uses. How to use Polywatch for glass scratches and Cape Cod to restore the shine of your watch's steel — step-by-step instructions.
Your watch bears the marks of time. A fine scratch on the glass, a case that has lost its original luster, a steel bracelet marked by everyday micro-scratches. The good news: most of these imperfections can be corrected at home, in a few minutes, with two professional products that we have been recommending to our customers at MisterChrono Paris for years — Polywatch and Cape Cod cloths.
This comprehensive guide explains what each product does, what it is intended for, and most importantly, how to use them correctly to achieve a professional result without risking damage to your watch.
Polywatch vs Cape Cod: What's the Difference?
First and foremost, understand that these are two complementary products, not interchangeable. Confusing them can damage your watch.
| Criterion | Polywatch | Cape Cod |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Paste in a tube | Impregnated cloths |
| Main Use | Scratches on acrylic glass (Plexi) | Micro-scratches on metals (steel, gold) |
| Action Principle | Fine abrasion (micro-particles) | Chemical action + gentle abrasion |
| Compatible Surfaces | Acrylic / plexi only (standard version) | Stainless steel, gold, silver, brass |
| Prohibited Surfaces | Sapphire, mineral glass, coated surfaces | Glass, PVD, DLC, brushed finishes |
Golden Rule: Polywatch for acrylic glass, Cape Cod for metal. Never reverse — Polywatch abrades too finely for metal, and Cape Cod contains potentially aggressive chemical compounds for gaskets and glass.
Polywatch: The Complete User Guide
What exactly is Polywatch?
Polywatch is a polishing paste manufactured in Germany, specifically formulated for acrylic watch crystals (Plexiglas / Hesalite). It contains abrasive micro-particles that remove a thin layer of plastic to smooth scratches and restore the transparency of the glass.
Polywatch comes in two versions:
- Polywatch Plastic (red tube): for acrylic crystals (Plexiglas, Hesalite). This is the most common version.
- Polywatch Glass (blue kit): for mineral crystals. Warning: not suitable for sapphire crystals.
Affected Watches
Many iconic watches use an acrylic crystal that scratches easily but can be polished just as easily with Polywatch:
- Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch" (original Hesalite crystal)
- Vintage Rolex (mostly pre-1980s)
- Vintage Seiko many references
- Vintage Tudor and Heuer
- Military watches — plexi is more shock-resistant
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Check the type of your crystal. If in doubt, test on a small, inconspicuous spot. Polywatch is not suitable for sapphire. An acrylic crystal can be identified by its slight optical distortion at the edges.
- Clean the crystal. Use a microfiber cloth to remove any dust, grease, or residue. A speck of dust can create new scratches during polishing.
- Protect the case. Use masking tape (like Washi tape) around the crystal to protect the case from accidental contact with the paste.
- Apply Polywatch. Dab a rice-grain sized amount directly onto the crystal. No need for more.
- Polish. With a soft cloth or a piece of cotton, rub in firm circular motions for 2 to 3 minutes. Apply sustained pressure and polish perpendicular to the direction of the scratches.
- Wipe. Remove all residues with a clean section of the cloth. Inspect the crystal under light.
- Repeat if necessary. Deep scratches may require 2 or 3 successive applications.
Professional Tip: If you can feel the scratch with your fingernail, it's too deep for Polywatch alone. You will either need to entrust the watch to a watchmaker, or use a more abrasive method (fine sandpaper, 2000+ grit) before finishing with Polywatch.
What Polywatch cannot do
- Remove deep scratches (more than 0.1 mm)
- Polish a sapphire crystal (this requires a machine and diamond discs)
- Polish a coated crystal (anti-reflective) — polishing would remove the coating
- Restore a cracked or split crystal — it must then be replaced
Cape Cod: The Complete User Guide
What exactly is Cape Cod?
Cape Cod cloths are polishing compound-impregnated fabrics made in the United States. This compound combines chemical action (which slightly dissolves oxidation) and gentle mechanical action (micro-abrasion) to restore the shine of precious metals.
Unlike Polywatch, Cape Cod does not remove material — it revives the existing surface. This is why it is ideal for regular use on polished steel cases and bracelets.
Recommended Uses
- Stainless steel watch cases (polished finish only)
- Polished steel bracelets (Oyster, Jubilee, President)
- Buckles and clasps in steel or gold
- Gold watches (yellow, rose, white) — perfect for restoring shine
- Jewelry in silver, gold, platinum
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Identify polished areas. Cape Cod is only to be used on mirror-polished surfaces, never on brushed or satin finishes — this would create permanent visible marks.
- Protect brushed surfaces. Use masking tape to cover brushed sections adjacent to the polished area you wish to treat.
- Remove a cloth from the pouch. Each pouch contains several cloths. Take one out — it should be slightly damp and fragrant (this is normal).
- Rub the surface. Apply the cloth to the polished area and rub in circular motions with moderate pressure. The cloth will gradually blacken — this is oxidation and micro-scratches being removed.
- Wipe with a clean cloth. Use a dry, clean microfiber cloth to remove Cape Cod residues and buff the surface to a shine.
- Store the cloth. Place the cloth back in its sealed pouch — a Cape Cod cloth is reusable 10 to 15 times.
Important: Never soak your watch after using Cape Cod before thoroughly wiping off residues. The product could potentially seep into the gaskets if it remains in prolonged contact with the watch.
What Cape Cod cannot do
- Remove deep scratches — this requires professional repolishing
- Be used on brushed or satin finishes
- Be used on PVD, DLC, gold-plated coatings — it would damage them
- Be used on watch crystals
Recommended Usage Frequency
Polywatch: only when needed, when a scratch hinders dial readability. Too frequent use will thin the crystal. Once or twice a year is sufficient for most watches.
Cape Cod: every 2 to 3 months for regular maintenance. The product acts gently and can be used more frequently without risk, as long as the watch is thoroughly wiped afterward.
Mistakes to Absolutely Avoid
- Using Cape Cod on glass — even mineral glass can be damaged by chemical components.
- Using Polywatch on sapphire — ineffective and risks leaving an opaque film.
- Mixing the two products on the same surface.
- Using Cape Cod on a brushed finish — you will create permanent visible marks.
- Polishing without cleaning the surface first — dust particles create new scratches.
- Neglecting to remove residues — especially for Cape Cod, as the product can alter gaskets.
Polywatch and Cape Cod at MisterChrono Paris
We offer Polywatch and Cape Cod in permanent stock at our Paris store (23 rue Danielle Casanova, 75001) as well as on our online site. Our advisors can also demonstrate the correct usage technique in-store — feel free to visit us with your watch if you have any doubts about the type of crystal or coating.
For deep scratches or full case polishing, we always recommend entrusting the watch to a professional watchmaker. Polywatch and Cape Cod are for routine maintenance, not a solution for major restorations.
Article written by Pierre-Yves, watch care expert at MisterChrono. Leather, alligator, cordovan, Rolex, Omega, and watch maintenance specialist.
