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WHAT WE WILL DO TO REFINISH YOUR WATCH CASE

 

We will try to remove all scratches and dents from your watch case to the best possible degree and restore the desired finish prior to the plating process. Unless you request otherwise, we will refinish the case as close as possible to its original appearance, or—when appropriate—apply a finish we believe best suits its condition. By sending your watch case for refinishing, you acknowledge and agree to this term. For full details, please see our Terms and Conditions.

After refinishing, we will re‑plate the case in the color of your choice from the available colors. We do not chemically strip existing plating unless it is necessary to achieve the requested finish or if the current plating presents issues.

WORN OUT OR DAMAGED CASES

 

It is also possible to fill holes or areas that are significantly worn or damaged. In these cases, we must examine your watch case in person before providing an estimate. If you prefer, a high‑resolution photo can be emailed to us at replateit@gmail.com for a preliminary cost indication.

Please note that there is a minimum charge of $145 for any watch case work beyond polishing and refinishing, such as soldering or filling. Several repair techniques may be used, and we determine the most suitable method after inspection. Estimates are free, though shipping fees apply (click here for shipping rates).

PREPARING YOUR WATCH CASE FOR OUR REFINISHING SERVICE:

 

When you prepare your watch case for our watch case refinishing service, please make sure that you have removed the following:

 

  1. The crystal including gasket

  2. Any removable dial ring with indices

  3. The bezel including gasket/ring/springs

  4. The movement (do not send movement)

  5. Any removable push buttons including gaskets

  6. Case tube, especially for screw down crowns including gaskets

  7. The bracelet including pushpins

  8. Any removable part of the case or bracelet

  9. Any glue, cement or other type of adhesives

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If the push buttons, crown, or watch hands require refinishing, please place them in a separate plastic bag or envelope. 

 

You will need to send the case back as well to ensure it will snap back properly after replating. If you do not want it refinished, please include that in your instructions. We will only plate or refinish the case back if it was part of the original finish or if you specifically request it.

GOLD FILLED CASES

 

We do not remove gold from gold‑filled watch cases. Instead, we use a mechanical buffing process to eliminate surface scratches and dents before re‑plating the case with yellow gold and applying a uniform final finish. For white gold‑filled cases, we follow the same refinishing procedure; however, the case is plated with white rhodium (up to 0.5 microns), with an underlayer of nickel and/or palladium when required.

Holes are repaired using gold or silver through precision micro‑welding, particularly in areas where high heat must be avoided. Additional techniques may be used to fill deep engravings on gold‑filled case backs. These advanced procedures may extend the turnaround time beyond our standard estimates. Please note that we cannot guarantee exact delivery timelines and are unable to accommodate time‑sensitive projects.

Please click here for more details.

IMPORTANT: On the customs declaration form, you must state that the items being shipped are “Watch cases and parts to be restored and returned.”

If this is not indicated and we are charged import duties, additional fees will be applied to cover those costs.

CASE BACKS

We will remove scratches from your stainless‑steel case back to the highest degree possible and refinish it as close as possible to the original appearance, or to any finish you select from our list of available options. (Click here for available finishes.)

We can also fill holes or deep scratches on stainless‑steel case backs, as well as on most plated and gold‑filled case backs.

WATCH HANDS

We will apply a light polish and re‑plate the watch hands in the color you select from our available options. Please note that some hands may have corrosion that is too deep to remove. Due to their delicate nature, there is a limit to how much watch hands can be improved at a reasonable cost.

It is recommended to also plate the hands if you want a matching color with the rest of the watch as we do not match colors. 

ZINC DIE-CAST CASES

 

These watch cases are commonly found in more economical vintage models, and re‑plating them often produces inconsistent results—especially when the metal has already been affected by skin acidity.

They cannot be reliably repaired, and any restoration work is both delicate and labor‑intensive, which increases overall service costs.

While we are willing to attempt plating and always strive for the best possible outcome, it must be understood that results depend heavily on the condition of the case and may vary. The final outcome will need to be accepted as delivered.

We generally recommend sourcing a replacement case in better condition whenever possible. However, we recognize that this is not always an option, and for that reason we are prepared to proceed with plating if requested. Please note that no guarantee can be offered regarding the final result, as residual damage often leads to the appearance of dark spots.

CROWNS AND PUSHERS

It is also possible to refinish crowns (the stem must be attached when shipped) and push buttons for an additional fee. Whenever possible, we will remove surface scratches and apply a finish that matches the original as closely as possible.

It is recommended to also plate these parts if you want a matching color with the rest of the watch as we do not match colors. 

BUCKLES

We can also refinish and replate most buckles. Your buckle will be restored as closely as possible to its original appearance and replated in the color of your choice. If you want the buckle to match the rest of the watch, we recommend choosing a plating option, as we do not custom‑match colors.

MOVEMENT COMPONENTS

Movement components such as main plates, bridges, and cocks can be plated; however, all preparation must be completed in advance by your watchmaker. We do not perform any mechanical finishing or cleaning on these parts. When we accept such projects, our work is limited strictly to chemical‑bath processing, with no mechanical work of any kind.

Based on our experience, even with both mechanical and chemical preparation, plating these components rarely results in a factory‑new appearance. However, a noticeable improvement is typically achieved.

WATCH BRACELETS

We can refinish and replate brass or base‑metal, gold‑filled, plated, or stainless‑steel watch bracelets.

Stainless‑steel bracelets are refinished as closely as possible to their original appearance unless otherwise requested. If the original finish cannot be determined and no specific instructions are provided, we will apply the finish we believe is most appropriate. Plating is performed only at the customer’s request or when the bracelet was originally plated.

Most types of plating on stainless steel can be removed, allowing the bracelet to be refinished without reapplying plating.

Gold‑filled and plated bracelets are often heavily worn. We do not perform full structural restoration on each link—such as pin replacement or filling worn areas—but we will refinish the bracelet to the best possible degree and replate it in the desired color.

Stretch‑style bracelets are not accepted for replating, though refinishing may be possible.

A more precise assessment of what can be done for your bracelet is provided after close examination.

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© 2023 Helvico Corp.

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