Restoration & Polishing

Scratches, dents, and faded finishes can make even the finest timepiece look tired. Our watch restoration and case polishing service in Kuala Lumpur brings watches back to their original glory while preserving their character and value. From a single scratch removal to a complete vintage Rolex restoration, our watchmakers approach every piece with restraint, technique, and respect for the original design.

Why Restoration Requires a Specialist, Not a Mall Polisher

Improper polishing is irreversible. Each pass of a polishing wheel removes a measurable amount of metal — typically 5 to 30 microns per session. Over-polish a Rolex Submariner case and you destroy the sharp brushed edges between the lugs that collectors prize. Polish a vintage Omega Seamaster the wrong way and you lose the original facets, halving its collector value.

Our watchmakers are trained to identify a watch’s original finishing intent and restore it accordingly. We use wet polishing with cerium oxide, specialised buffing wheels for brushed versus polished surfaces, and masking techniques to protect engravings, chamfers, and sharp edges.

Watch Polishing Services Offered

Case Polishing

• High-polish (mirror) finishes — for dress watches like the Rolex Datejust, Patek Philippe Calatrava, and Cartier Tank
• Brushed (satin) finishes — using Scotch-Brite pads matched to the original grain direction on sport watches like the Omega Seamaster, Rolex Submariner, and IWC Portugieser
• Mixed finishes — preserving polished bezel and lug tops while restoring brushed mid-cases
• Sharp-edge preservation — maintaining factory chamfers and crisp transitions between surface types
• Engraving protection — masking serial numbers, model references, and decorative engravings during polish

Bracelet Refinishing

• Link-by-link refinishing for Oyster, President, Jubilee, Royal Oak, and integrated bracelets
• Clasp restoration — re-brushing or re-polishing folding clasps to match the bracelet finish
• End-link and spring bar replacement — to restore original fit
• Bracelet deep cleaning — ultrasonic cleaning under each link and clasp hinge

Crystal Replacement

• Sapphire crystal replacement for current Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Tudor
• Mineral glass for vintage and entry-level watches
• AR coating restoration — factory-spec anti-reflective coating application
• Cyclops lens replacement on Rolex Datejust and Day-Date with correct magnification (2.5x)
• Gasket reseal at every crystal fit to preserve water resistance

Dial and Hand Restoration

• Dial cleaning — ultrasonic and manual techniques for vintage tritium and modern Super-LumiNova
• Hand refurbishment — preserving original lume where possible, replacing when necessary
• Repaint or redial of severely damaged dials (vintage Rolex, Omega, Heuer — using period-correct colours and fonts)
• Chapter ring and bezel insert — replating, refinishing, or replacement

Vintage Watch Restoration

Our restoration work for pre-1990 timepieces follows a conservation philosophy — preserving patina, originality, and provenance while restoring mechanical function. We work with:

• Vintage Rolex (5513, 1675, 6263, 6542, 1016, 16710)
• Vintage Omega (Speedmaster 105.012, 145.012, Seamaster 30, 166.022)
• Vintage Heuer (Carrera 1153CHN, Monaco 1133B, Autavia 2446)
• Vintage Tudor (7928, 7016, 76100 Submariner)
• Vintage Universal Genève, Enicar, Longines, and other makers

Our Restoration Approach

We follow a three-stage assessment before any work begins:

1. Condition documentation. We photograph and record every surface, marking existing scratches, dents, bezel wear, lug condition, bracelet stretch, and crystal clarity.
2. Customer consultation. We present two to three restoration options — minimal touch-up, mid-level restoration, or full factory-fresh — and discuss the trade-off between appearance and originality.
3. Sympathetic execution. We restore only what the customer has approved, protecting original features through masking and controlled polishing.

For vintage watches specifically, we discuss whether to preserve patina or restore factory appearance. Many collectors prefer to keep original tritium dials, aged lume, and case proportions over a “perfect” re-finish that loses collector value. The customer’s preference always drives the decision.

Restoration Pricing in Kuala Lumpur

Pricing depends on the extent of work, materials, and complexity:

• Minor case touch-up — from RM 150 (single scratch removal, brushing a small area)
• Full case polish (single finish type) — from RM 280
• Mixed-finish restoration — from RM 450 (e.g., brushed mid-case + polished bezel + polished lugs)
• Bracelet refinishing — from RM 200
• Crystal replacement — from RM 180 (mineral glass) / from RM 350 (sapphire with AR coating)
• Dial and hands restoration — from RM 350
• Complete vintage restoration — from RM 1,500 (case + bracelet + crystal + dial)
• Bezel insert replacement — from RM 220

All restoration work is quoted in writing after inspection. We never begin work without customer approval.

Why Choose DeChronos for Restoration

• Certified watchmakers with experience on luxury and vintage pieces
• Specialised cerium oxide compounds matched to case material (steel, gold, platinum)
• Wet polishing techniques that minimise heat and metal loss
• Frame-by-frame progress photos provided during multi-stage restorations
• Documented before/after for every restoration job

Book Restoration