I had always been told that removing scratches from sapphire watch crystals was impossible…but recently I got a tip on how to do this, so I figured I would see for myself. I recently picked up this PAM 00024 Luminor Submersible with a scratch on the crystal right under the “at” portion of automatic on the face.

What you need to do is pick up 3-4 tubes of diamond paste in increasing abrasive grades. I started with a 5.0 micron for the most abrasive, and went down from there with a 3.5, 1.0 and .5 micron.

I started by taping off the area of the crystal with the scratch so as to prevent the diamond paste from getting underneath the dive bezel.

Then I started with the 5.0 micron, and worked that in to the scratch for about 5-10 minutes.

Then I went down to the 3.5 micron for another 10 minutes.

Then I went down to the 1.0 and the .5 for the final polishing. Initially I used my fingers to rub the diamond paste on the crystal, but found that a paper tower was a bit more effective. After about 30 mintues of work, I wiped off the excess paste, removed the masking tape, and cleaned the watch with water. This is what I was greeted with once the watch was cleaned and dried off.

A flawless crystal! Not bad for $15, 30 minutes, and a little elbow grease!

BIENNE, SWITZERLAND, 2008 – Rugged yet sophisticated, the AirBoss Collection was first introduced in 2003, inspired by the flight deck boss of today’s aircraft carriers. The beauty and fascination of this timepiece lies in its cockpit like feeling with all its instruments and controls.

Victorinox Swiss Army is celebrating the collection’s 5th anniversary with a sonic boom and is pleased to present the limited edition AirBoss Mach 6 Power Gauge with mechanical movement. Would it have wings it would fly.

Recognizable at first sight this very special timepiece is held in a strong 45mm diameter steel case and triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal allow the view on a striking black dial. The chiseled hands and numbers with PVD Black Ice coating and luminescent segments on all hands and subdial markers ease the use in the dark. The aggregate with the very advanced power reserve gauge function is featured by a 7750 Valjoux self-winding chronograph movement. Backcase delicate engraved details show the Swiss Air force emblem and the limited edition number of the individual timepiece. Through the sapphire crystal the inside mechanic is visible and the oscillating weight with Victorinox Swiss Army logo engraving underlines the bold statement to detail. Elegant dimension to the dial, and the crown - with embossed cross and shield emblem - reflects the brand’s full attention to finishes. The power is held together by a black leather strap with grey stitching

The AirBoss Mach 6 Power Gauge will be produced in a very limited edition of 333 units. Each timepiece will be deployed and recovered in a special collector’s box with certificate acting as its airbase.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

AIRBOSS MACH 6 POWER GAUGE LIMITED EDITION
Swiss-made self-winding, Chronograph movement Valjoux 7750 Additional complication with a power-reserve indicator mechanism

45mm stainless steel case with Ice, Black PVD coating See-through screw-in mineral crystal exhibition caseback, Water resistant to 100M (10ATM, 330 FT) Triple-coated scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, Screw-down crown

Black dial with Black Ice PVD coated hands, luminous numbers and details Black soft leather with deployant clasp, SAF logo on PVD-coated buckle

Special Collector’s Box Packaging Numbered Certificate of Authenticity 333 timepieces issued worldwide This fine Limited Edition timepiece is covered by a 5-year warranty