Cleaning a watch safely
Discussion
i've done some web research and asked a dealer, and it seems there is no single consensus on how to clean my watch (Rolex Deepsea). I've bought a 2.5L ultrasonic water bath cleaner (with jewellery cleaner concetrate) as the dealer told me they use that type of water bath setup. They reckon it's the best way to clean a waterproof watch without the scratches or abrasions that rubbing away with a brush and soap would create. Just wondering what others do, and also how you'd go about safely cleaning a watch that is not water-resistant.
Whatever you do, don't put the watch head into an ultrasonic cleaner!
By all means detach the bracelet and clean that in the ultrasonic, but you should only try to clean the watch head with some of the cleaning fluid using a soft cloth or an old toothbrush. If necessary you could use dental floss to get under the bezel, and wooden cocktail sticks to get into corners and crevices. The rest can wait until the watch needs a service.
By all means detach the bracelet and clean that in the ultrasonic, but you should only try to clean the watch head with some of the cleaning fluid using a soft cloth or an old toothbrush. If necessary you could use dental floss to get under the bezel, and wooden cocktail sticks to get into corners and crevices. The rest can wait until the watch needs a service.
Blown2CV said:
ah... could be i've made an unnecessary purchase then! Why not to put the head under?! I am sure I can find other things to clean with it anyway!
Ultrasonic vibrations + cleaning fluid aren't what the seals are designed for. And the movement isn't going to react well, either.Don't even try it with the watch head above the fluid either. Seriously.
Well I have a Seadweller and I did use the watch stand and the watch has been fine. But I guess for a more thorough clean the bracelet can be removed
Adrian W said:
I doubt an ultrasonic cleaner would damage a Deepsea, but putting a quartz watch in one isn't the brightest thing to do, as it will crack the crystal, OP to be safe a toothbrush and soapy water.
Ultrasonics with cold, plain, water won't damage anything if the seals are in good condition.
The frequency is way above anything that any part of the movement can vibrate at and won't upset a seal if it's sound. Bear in mind that, if U/S frequencies damaged movements they wouldn't use them in just about every current movement cleaning machine
On the the other hand, if it does leak in there then it's going to get nasty unless you can get the back off quick to dry it. Unless you have the tools to de-case it for drying, it's probably not the best way to test its seal integrity!
The frequency is way above anything that any part of the movement can vibrate at and won't upset a seal if it's sound. Bear in mind that, if U/S frequencies damaged movements they wouldn't use them in just about every current movement cleaning machine
On the the other hand, if it does leak in there then it's going to get nasty unless you can get the back off quick to dry it. Unless you have the tools to de-case it for drying, it's probably not the best way to test its seal integrity!
Variomatic said:
Ultrasonics with cold, plain, water won't damage anything if the seals are in good condition.
The frequency is way above anything that any part of the movement can vibrate at and won't upset a seal if it's sound. Bear in mind that, if U/S frequencies damaged movements they wouldn't use them in just about every current movement cleaning machine
On the the other hand, if it does leak in there then it's going to get nasty unless you can get the back off quick to dry it. Unless you have the tools to de-case it for drying, it's probably not the best way to test its seal integrity!
well i've never had the back off of it, and it's only 4 months old... it's more of a future reference thing!The frequency is way above anything that any part of the movement can vibrate at and won't upset a seal if it's sound. Bear in mind that, if U/S frequencies damaged movements they wouldn't use them in just about every current movement cleaning machine
On the the other hand, if it does leak in there then it's going to get nasty unless you can get the back off quick to dry it. Unless you have the tools to de-case it for drying, it's probably not the best way to test its seal integrity!
Jeepers, you tarts!
I bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself
I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.
Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
I bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself
I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Jeepers, you tarts!
I bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.
Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
That really sums it up I bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself
I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
I have ultrasound anyway and it's easy to throw cases in while I'm servicing the movements but if a steel case is scratched by a wet nylon brush then there's something wrong with the steel!On the other hand, ultrasound does clean out the bits that you can't get a brush to (at least without stripping everything down)
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Jeepers, you tarts!
I bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.
Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
I'm with him. Wear in bath or shower, liquid soap, good wash, rinse and lay on towel to dry. It's only a fI bought my Omega Seamaster Automatic in 1999...which is still going strong now, worn every day...and keeps perfect time to boot. Shamelessly, I've also only had it serviced once in that time....
Anyway with regard to cleaning, when it gets a wee bit grubby, I just take it into the bath with me. Once I've washed myself
I just cover it with a bit of liquid soap, work that in with my fingers and a scrubbing brush, and then just rinse in the bath water. Then, to get all the soap out if it, I run it under the cold tap for a bit after.Then I just dry it with a towel, and put in on the side as usual. By morning, it's totally dry, and sparkly. No problems.
They're DIVERS watches, FFS! No need to treat them like some priceless jewels!
king watch!Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff