Watch protection film (watch PPF) explained

Watch protection film is a thin, clear layer fitted to the outside of a watch so that everyday scratches land on the film, not the metal. You will also see it called watch PPF. We call it WPF: watch protection film. Here is how it works and what to expect.

What it is

The film is a clear thermoplastic polyurethane, the same family of material as the paint protection film (PPF) used on cars, which is where the name watch PPF comes from. It is flexible enough to follow curved surfaces and tough enough to take the scuffs of daily wear.

Good films are optically clear, so the metal underneath looks as it should. Many have a self-healing top coat, which lets light surface swirls fade with gentle warmth.

What it protects against

Protection film is designed for the marks that build up over months of wear:

• hairline scratches on the clasp from desks and laptops
• swirls on polished bracelet links
• scuffs on case sides and lugs from door frames and bags
• light knocks to the bezel edge

It is not armour. A heavy impact can still dent metal or chip a crystal, so it is no substitute for care, or for insurance.

Will I be able to see it?

Fitted well, it is very hard to see. The secret is in the cutting. Each piece is cut to the exact shape of the surface, with its edges set just inside the lines of the case and links, so there is no visible border and nothing to catch. Polished surfaces stay bright and brushed surfaces keep their grain.

Hand-fitted or a pre-cut kit?

Pre-cut kits exist for some popular models, but every watch reference is different, and the edges are where a fitting succeeds or fails. A hand-fitted film is measured and cut for your watch, surface by surface, and fitted under magnification so there is no dust or air trapped beneath it.

How long does it last?

It depends on how the watch is worn. On most surfaces the film lasts a long time. On the highest-friction areas, such as a clasp or the edge of a bezel, a piece may eventually wear or lift and need replacing. We re-fit any film we have fitted free of charge at the studio.

Can it be removed?

Yes, at any time. The film lifts away cleanly and leaves no residue. Many owners have it removed before selling, so the buyer sees the original, unmarked metal underneath. That is the point: the film takes the wear so the watch does not.

Not just watches

The same hand-cut film protects other things you touch every day, from phone and tablet screens to car media screens and jewellery. See devices and screens.

Getting it fitted

We fit watch protection film by hand in our private London studio, or we come to you. See how it works, or tell us about your watch for a quote.