How to Remove Scratches from Michael Kors Watches (Without Aggravating)
First rule: identify the material. Steel case/bracelet (with or without PVD)? Mineral glass? We don’t treat each other the same. And we give ourselves time. 15–30 minutes, not 3 minutes straight away.
Non-PVD steel case/bracelet (polished/brushed bare steel)
Rapid degreasing (70% isopropyl alcohol). Mask polished areas if touching up a brushed surface (thin masking tape). Micro-scratches: impregnated cape-cod type cloth for polished parts, light passes, check every 30 seconds. On brushed: very fine abrasive rubber in the direction of brushing, long action, never circular.
Tis timer 09/12/2025, 18 min to erase 80% of hairlines on polished sidewall; no measurable alteration of the chamfer (10× magnifying glass).
Gold PVD: absolute caution
Abrasives prohibited. Yes, prohibited. We clean, we don’t “erase”. Surface micro-scratches become less visible through polishing optical with a clean microfiber cloth (clean, otherwise you will add grain…). If a scratch crosses the PVD layer: stop. Local retouching = worse than the disease (difference in shade). The only real clean solution remains refurbishment (professional replating) or accepting wear and tear. That’s a bad idea: try abrasive paste on PVD.
Mineral glass
Micro-scratches: dedicated diamond paste/glass polish, felt pad, slow speed and moderate pressure, short passes and frequent checks. Deep scratch or chip: replacement of the glazing. Basically, we are not trying to remove 150 µm of material by hand.
Protocole 10/28/2025: estimated shrinkage < 10 µm, perceptually reduced surface roughness (diffusion contrast in grazing light).
If you doubt (it happens), confide. One wrong move turns a touch-up into a complex re-finish. To guide the decision, my “purchase” article lists the workshop and after-sales service pitfalls to avoid: fatal errors to avoid before purchasing Michael.
Clean Michael Kors steel bracelet: sustainable method
Dirt accelerates abrasion. It sticks, it rubs. Solution: simple, regular, non-aggressive routine. Warm water ~30°C, drop of neutral soap, ultra-soft brush (0.1–0.15 mm), longitudinal movements along the links, never across them. Rinse thoroughly under a soft stream. Press dry (microfiber) — no vigorous wiping that polishes the edges.
Sseries of 3 cleanings on 05/10, 12/10, 19/10/2025: reduction in tarnished areas visible from D+1, no variation in color measured on PVD (ΔE* < 1.5).
For the folding clasp: wooden toothpick to dislodge deposits (hinges), no metal tool. Final drying 10 min, watch placed flat, crown upwards. Important: If the watch has been exposed to salt water, rinse within 30 minutes with two passes of fresh water. Frankly, it’s the gesture that makes the difference over 6–12 months.
“Movement” note: the caliber does not change the visual wear, but it changes the perception of overall reliability. To understand why many MKs run on Miyota (and what that implies in terms of cost/maintenance), see Miyota calibers at MK reliability and cost.
Heat, salt, jewelry: the real waterproof killers
Heat distorts joints. Hot shower, sauna, hammam: harmful combination. Elastomers (NBR/EPDM) did not like to stay at 60–80°C; they hardened, lost elasticity. Result: possible fogging inside after thermal shock.
Ctightness check 3 bar/10 min carried out in Toulouse on 10/21/2025: RAS before sauna, micro-condensation observed after 15 min at ~70°C → replacement of joints recommended within 48 hours.
Salt (sea, sweat) accelerates corrosion of friction points. Always rinse. Always. The jewelry on the opposite hand scratches at the slightest cross friction; remove rings/bracelets if you type all day with your wrists touching. Storage: separate soft pouch, not loose in a tray. Suddenly, your “sustainability” becomes predictable. And controlled.
Want a macro look (design, style, technical concessions) before you get started? Go through this honest comparison of Michael Kors versus Fossil watches if you haven’t already. And if you want to dig into the care routines on MK beyond the PVD by model/reference, I centralize it here: detailed method of long-term Michael PVD maintenance. Finally, to place MK in your personal watchmaking landscape (perceived quality, feedback), re-read the complete review on Michael Kors watches. (Yes, I repeat myself; voluntary.)
Summary block — gestures that really prolong life
- Rinse fresh water after sweating/sea; dry with microfiber pressure.
- Avoid heat: shower, sauna, hammam; gaskets = consumables.
- PVD: no abrasives. We clean, we accept a light patina.
- Mineral glass: micro-scratches → diamond polish; chips → replacement.
- Steel bracelet: neutral soap + ultra-soft brush, ideal fortnightly.
- Storage: dedicated pouch. Zero contact with metal/lace/jewelry.
- Fit: just the right size to limit friction; avoid harsh headlines.
Before choosing your model (or going for a shimmering gold one), also read this summary guide: fatal mistakes to avoid before purchasing Michael. Final word: maintenance does not transform a fashion watch into a tool-watch. But it gives you clean years. What matters.
