Titanium . How does IWC produce the matt texture?

I am not sure if this is a secret but does anyone now how IWC produces the final matte texture on their titanium watches and bands? I ask this because I have a small collection of Titanium Aquatimers and previous owners have scratched them. If I wanted to remove the scratches, I know that polishing cloths would damage the beautiful matte finish of the titanium.
I was wondering if the final finish is from sand or bead blasting and if so, what size and type of sand or beads or aluminum oxide grit is used?

It is most likely sand or bead blasted. You could send it back to Schaffhausen for a spa treatment and have it refinished there; I'm not sure I would want to refinish the case myself but I might give it a go on the bracelet if I had access to a blaster (and I do).

The following is from what I posted on another forum four years ago. I believe the facts came from our own moderator and perhaps this and other useful information is in the archives if you do a search under the word 'titanium'.

IWC pioneered its use in watch cases and its titanium differs even from those of other watch brands.

Among other things, IWC developed a nitriding process for hardening titanium and other alloys. IWC uses the purest titanium which is usable for cases, with the material number ASTM Grade 2 or DIN 3.7035. This titanium has a hardness rating by Vickers of ca. 160HV.

In addition, IWC has developed techniques for polishing and abrasive blasting of Titanium (with sapphire beads). The Titanium alloys used contain Vanadium and aluminum with extreme high temperature stability and a tensile strength of 1000Mpa.

Based on a few other timepieces from brands producing titanium timepieces that I've seen in the flesh there's a visual difference which makes me appreciate the IWC finish a lot better.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

There you have it; I have not yet and will not use my friend's blaster on my IWC pieces. I suggest you send them to the manufacturer for a full treatment!

Thank you Jack for the detailed and informative answer. I am glad that IWC stands out in both technological advances as well as in appearance.
The comments you gave were fascinating.