Water Spots on Crystal

[trout_thumper21]

I have noticed that both my Submariner and GMT II have these water spots on the crystal that seem impossible to remove. Under many lighting conditions the crystal looks clean, but then at the right angle and in the right lighting you can see them.

Anybody else had this happen, and any success getting rid of them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kap007]

I have very similar thing on my AK 116900. I wear in shower

[Socal Runner]

Can be from going in a chlorinated pool and not patting dry right away. Some dawn soap and warm water should be able to get that out after some scrubbing and if not, try asking your AD or a jewelry store to throw it in a steam cleaner and those stains should come out.

[Apdl]

Soft cloth and filtered water should help, maybe a tad if dish soap. That's what I have done.

I wouldn't use any harsh cleaners, although the ceramic and steel should be inert

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by trout_thumper21

Anybody else had this happen, and any success getting rid of them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've had the same on my Tudor BB Chrono. I first thought it was water stains as well. But when I kept trying to buff it out, the stain remained. Later in the evening, I took a wooden toothpick and ran the tip across the crystal. The toothpick kept getting snagged when it ran across the stained area.

Turns out part of the very top layer of the crystal actually flaked off in the shape of water stains. Unfortunately for me my warranty just expired. It's not really bugging me... But I guess I'll be getting a replacement crystal during my next service

[eugenetsang]

You can see it at the 35 min marker




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[enjoythemusic]

Completely ruined!

Send them all to me and I'll, being the selfless guy i am, will burden myself with the spots. Hey, just trying to, you know, help

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Is this thread for real?...

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Is this thread for real?...

my crystal's top layer flaked off and resembled a water stain. So yes, it's for real


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

my crystal's top layer flaked off and resembled a water stain. So yes, it's for real


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmm this is interesting. Rolex uses AR on the inside of the crystal. Your watch wouldn’t have AR on the exposed side. Curious

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Hmm this is interesting. Rolex uses AR on the inside of the crystal. Your watch wouldn’t have AR on the exposed side. Curious

From what I know, the AR coating should be from the inside of the crystal. But the swirl mark is actually from the outside. And when I try to buff it out with a lens cloth, I can feel slightly where it divots in. Not really sure how that happened...

But I don't baby any of my watches. I probably damaged this crystal from one of my ocean diving vacations. Maybe the combination of Thailand's 90+ degree heat, salt ocean water, or possibly pool chlorine?

But was just throwing it out there to the OG poster that the blemish on my crystal wasn't water stains. But rather flaking of the actual crystal. And something to he should also check out.

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

my crystal's top layer flaked off and resembled a water stain. So yes, it's for real


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a similar stain I swore wouldn’t be removed. RSC Beverly Hills steamed it while I waited. Good as new. Sapphire crystal is very tough. Try this route

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by 928ktgold

I had a similar stain I swore wouldn’t be removed. RSC Beverly Hills steamed it while I waited. Good as new. Sapphire crystal is very tough. Try this route

Thanks! I'll give that a shot! And see if I can find a jeweler in NYC that can offer that service. I haven't been following up with the new Rolex Building in NYC. I know it's under construction.

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by 928ktgold

I had a similar stain I swore wouldn’t be removed. RSC Beverly Hills steamed it while I waited. Good as new. Sapphire crystal is very tough. Try this route

Same here on a 126710 pepsi from 2019. I had an issue with the movement and sent it into RSC for service. I was even ready to replace the crystal at the same time because of similar type of spots. They cleaned the crystal (assuming via steam), and it came back good as new.

Sure enough, those spots started to return as I wore the watch and gave it regular baths.

[trout_thumper21]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Is this thread for real?...

Asks the guy who started this thread:

“Anyone else starstruck by the Don Draper Seamaster De Ville”


P

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by trout_thumper21

Asks the guy who started this thread:

“Anyone else starstruck by the Don Draper Seamaster De Ville”


P

I assume your remark is an attempt to be cutting? Here’s a thought:

Try washing the watch as others have pointed out

[MrGoat]

Well water will make water spots on the crystal and gold harder to remove than treated water spots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[capybara]

Use a mixture of 1/2 baking soda with 1/2 water and scrub some mixture (with the baking soda) on the crystal, let it sit for half an hour, then soap it. That's how I removed my hard water stain

[Gearjockey]

White vinegar on cue tip.
If worried about bezel, tape it off

[Apdl]

Originally Posted by capybara

Use a mixture of 1/2 baking soda with 1/2 water and scrub some mixture (with the baking soda) on the crystal, let it sit for half an hour, then soap it. That's how I removed my hard water stain

Baking soda is basic and wont remove the minerals in hard water. It will however act as an abrasive and help scrub it. Letting it sit, will do nothing.

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

White vinegar on cue tip.
If worried about bezel, tape it off

The vinegar is acidic and will eat up the minerals

If dish soap doesn't help, I would go Gear Jockeys route. The abrasive action of Capybara's method should help too

[MannyMann]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

White vinegar on cue tip.
If worried about bezel, tape it off

If really worried about it you can try this out.

[rolexpatek363]

I thought Rolexes were roughty-toughty watches which can go anywhere and do anything without sustaining any damage.

But no. Water spots on crystal.

[Socalwatchguy]

Vinegar can work. But I have had water spots that would not come out with vinegar.

I recommend a dedicated water spot removal product. Some automotive products are out there that are designed for this

[CarlOver]

Have the AD watchmaker look at it. They should be able to tell if it’s a coating issue. The fact that it has happened to 2 watches of the OP, I suspect it’s something that the user is inducing. Could be water that is allowed to dry on the crystal. That’s what happens when municipal water dries on a car. There are various water spot removers that work well for automotive water spot removal but they are aggressive and that is why they get the job done. I wouldn’t try on a watch until it’s looked at by a Rolex watchmaker.

[Lininq]

Dish soap should do the trick.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

Have the AD watchmaker look at it. They should be able to tell if it’s a coating issue. The fact that it has happened to 2 watches of the OP, I suspect it’s something that the user is inducing. Could be water that is allowed to dry on the crystal. That’s what happens when municipal water dries on a car. There are various water spot removers that work well for automotive water spot removal but they are aggressive and that is why they get the job done. I wouldn’t try on a watch until it’s looked at by a Rolex watchmaker.

Please tell me this is a joke?

You want to take the watch in for an official Rolex watchmaker can look at it, for a water spot on the crystal?

OP. It’s a water mark, wipe it off with some elbow grease and get on with your life.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[EEpro]

In order of increasing frustration:
Dawn soap
Vinegar if it's calcium carbonate
Alcohol
Magic eraser only on glass

[dkoi]

Toothpaste works. Just apply a little to the crystal and rub with your fingers the area in question and rinse off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gearjockey]

Wow, I think I figured out what removes water spots. Anyone try this?

Simple green+ultrasound


Genius


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Wow, I think I figured out what removes water spots. Anyone try this?

Simple green+ultrasound


Genius


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was under the impression you shouldn't immerse an entire watch in an ultrasonic cleaner.