How to clean silver watches?

[Alexander_]

Hello

I have all my pocket watches(siilver and metal)all kept into a carved wood box, with some kind of velvet inside. A few days ago, after some months I saw that all silver watches were very dark.

My questions are 2:

1. What is the cause of that?

2. How could I clean the cases without taking off the movement?

Thanks

[Tom McIntyre]

As a guess, there is sulfur in the velvet or in the finish on the wood. Sulfur compound vapors will cause the cases to tarnish. This is especially true if there is a very clean metal surface to begin with. Most silver polishes leave a protective film that discourages the tarnish formation.

If you use a polishing cloth, you need not remove the movements. If you use any kind of wet cleaner, you are taking a risk that the cleaner will:

Get into the movement and damage it.
Get into the hinges and crevices of the case and create a white residue when dry.

Many people do not clean silver cases and prefer them to have their "original patina." Those who do clean them with silver polish mostly wash them thoroughly in hot water when done.

[Jerry Matthews]

Silver tarnishes---that's a natural phenomonem, just like iron rusts---no matter where or how you store it. The following is a reply I made to a similar question a few months back. Hope it is useful

I won't comment on the polishing of gold filled or silver plated items. But as someone with about 40 years experience with antique English silver I will say that sterling silver definitely benefits from regular polishing. It's the polishing that creates the patina of age, and is the reason why a piece of Georgian silver is so much more attractive (and valuable) than something newly-manufactured, even though the metal content may be exactly the same.

But of course the polishing must be done right. A jeweller's cloth is very good for regular use and the cloth will last a long time. I'm not familiar with the Sunshine Polishing Cloth brand mentioned by Wes, but it may be right. I also recommend Jewellers Rouge & Preserative from English Custom Polish. Despite the name, it's an American product, company based in Maine. You can find them on the internet.

I agree with Tom about never using Brasso nor indeed any commercial silver polish on watch cases. These polishes are too abrasive, and also leave an unwanted powdery residue.