How to Clean an Old, Yellowed Watch Crystal

A watch crystal is the face or lens of the watch and is made of various materials including glass, plexiglass, synthetic sapphire or a mixture of materials. It is not uncommon for a watch crystal to become dirty or appear old and yellowed, but a watch can often be cleaned. Removing the watch crystal may be necessary to clean the inside as well as the outside. With some watch crystals, you can simply press them out by hand but with others, you must remove them with a crystal lift.

Instructions

1

Make a mixture of one part water and one part peroxide in a small bowl.

2

Dip the cloth in the mixture and ring it out. Wipe with watch crystal carefully to clean it. Do not put too much pressure on the crystal and avoid getting it too wet if the watch is not waterproof.

3

Remove the watch crystal if the yellowing appears to be on the inside of the watch. If your watch crystal is held in with a tension ring or gasket, just press the crystal out with your hand.

4

Use a crystal lift to remove a watch crystal that does not come out easily. Lay the watch out flat with the crystal facing up. Place the crystal lift around the watch face and tighten the lift by turning the handle clockwise. Hold onto the watch with one hand while pulling the crystal lift up with the other to separate the crystal from the watch.

5

Clean the inside of the watch crystal with the cloth dipped in the peroxide mixture. Allow it to dry completely and place it back in the watch.

6

Take your watch to a jeweler to have the crystal replaced if it does not come clean. Often, a watch yellows with age, staining the crystal, but a new crystal can be put in its place.