Cleaning Watches

[nickd01]

I've had my Omega Speedmaster for a couple of years now, and I think the strap could do with a clean.

Is this something I can attempt myself or something I should leave to a "professional"

Thanks

[matthew_h]

Is it a strap or a bracelet?

For cleaning bracelets I just use a tub of warmish water and an old toothbrush.

[nickd01]

Sorry, it's a metal strap. It's just got loads of "gunk" around where it joins the watch

[matthew_h]

In that case, use the method I mentioned. Works fine for me.

[lowdrag]

Ditto. Any old kitchen brush with soft bristles will do with warm water and washing up liquid, then a good rinse. Don't recommend the dishwasher method though.

[16610LV]

nickd01 said:

Sorry, it's a metal strap.

...errrr...that'll be a bracelet then.

[Vesuvius 996]

nickd01 said:

Sorry, it's a metal strap. It's just got loads of "gunk" around where it joins the watch

I clean my Rolex Submariner every day before I have a shower.

A little squirt of Carex onto a nail brush, good scrub and rinse under warm water then towel dry.

Comes up perfect!!! I can't imagine all the old sweat and gunk and skin and bacteria that must be lurking if you've never done this!!!!

In fact if it's not been done for ages soak it in soapy water for an hour or so, then scrub it.

[nickd01]

Thanks chaps.

I didn't want to damage the finish which is why I've never tackled cleaning it.

So, a quick bit of fairy-liquid or car-wash stuff to soak it first and then a bit of toothbrush action is on the cards tonight then.

[matthew_h]

I never bother with any detergent. Just warm water and the brush and they seem to shift the muck easy enough.

[16610LV]

nickd01 said:

Thanks chaps.

I didn't want to damage the finish which is why I've never tackled cleaning it.

So, a quick bit of fairy-liquid or car-wash stuff to soak it first and then a bit of toothbrush action is on the cards tonight then.

...mild hand/face soap only please!

I clean my watch with a SOFT toothbrush, in mild soapy water - then rinse and towel dry.

Helps if the watch is water resistant to more than 30m though!

[wtd]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, in a shopping center near me they have an open autoclave where people can drop in their glasses, press a button and ultrasonic waves go through the water lifting off all the dirt. Dropped the trusty Seamaster in there, pressed the button and was amazed as all the gunk and dirt came out from between the bracelet links! Superbly clean. Although I think it did take out some kind of lubricant from between the links as they feel kinda more mettaly now...

[16610LV]

wtd said:

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, in a shopping center near me they have an open autoclave where people can drop in their glasses, press a button and ultrasonic waves go through the water lifting off all the dirt. Dropped the trusty Seamaster in there, pressed the button and was amazed as all the gunk and dirt came out from between the bracelet links! Superbly clean. Although I think it did take out some kind of lubricant from between the links as they feel kinda more mettaly now...

...more worryingly, what about the lubricants dislodged WITHIN the watch's mechanism?! If you like your watch, I think you should get it serviced ASAP and then use soap and water for cleaning.

[wtd]

really whats it going to do that wearing it whilst mountain biking isn't going to do??


It might losen the internal oils, but as it's a sealed unit won't they just move around anyway???

[zelleyford]

16610LV said:

wtd said:

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, in a shopping center near me they have an open autoclave where people can drop in their glasses, press a button and ultrasonic waves go through the water lifting off all the dirt. Dropped the trusty Seamaster in there, pressed the button and was amazed as all the gunk and dirt came out from between the bracelet links! Superbly clean. Although I think it did take out some kind of lubricant from between the links as they feel kinda more mettaly now...

...more worryingly, what about the lubricants dislodged WITHIN the watch's mechanism?! If you like your watch, I think you should get it serviced ASAP and then use soap and water for cleaning.

"Ultrasonic cleaners are very good" I have one and use is all the time. but I take the case off the bct and put it in then. On the one that I sell, it has a little part that holds the case out of the water but leaving the bct in, And they are only £45 plus post, if anyone wants one. With regard to the lubricants in the links!! it sounds to me that you still have soap stuck in it. They do not put any oil in the links as far as no.
E-mail me if anyone wants a Ultrasonic. [e-mail]
Martin

[johnfm]

Vesuvius 996 said:

nickd01 said:

Sorry, it's a metal strap. It's just got loads of "gunk" around where it joins the watch

I clean my Rolex Submariner every day before I have a shower.



A little squirt of Carex onto a nail brush, good scrub and rinse under warm water then towel dry.



Comes up perfect!!! I can't imagine all the old sweat and gunk and skin and bacteria that must be lurking if you've never done this!!!!



In fact if it's not been done for ages soak it in soapy water for an hour or so, then scrub it.

Everyday?? You must be the sweatiest, grimiest lawyer in the UK!!

[Vesuvius 996]

johnfm said:

Vesuvius 996 said:

nickd01 said:

Sorry, it's a metal strap. It's just got loads of "gunk" around where it joins the watch

I clean my Rolex Submariner every day before I have a shower.



A little squirt of Carex onto a nail brush, good scrub and rinse under warm water then towel dry.



Comes up perfect!!! I can't imagine all the old sweat and gunk and skin and bacteria that must be lurking if you've never done this!!!!



In fact if it's not been done for ages soak it in soapy water for an hour or so, then scrub it.

Everyday?? You must be the sweatiest, grimiest lawyer in the UK!!

No sir. Clean as a whistle

[16610LV]

zelleyford said:

16610LV said:

wtd said:

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, in a shopping center near me they have an open autoclave where people can drop in their glasses, press a button and ultrasonic waves go through the water lifting off all the dirt. Dropped the trusty Seamaster in there, pressed the button and was amazed as all the gunk and dirt came out from between the bracelet links! Superbly clean. Although I think it did take out some kind of lubricant from between the links as they feel kinda more mettaly now...

...more worryingly, what about the lubricants dislodged WITHIN the watch's mechanism?! If you like your watch, I think you should get it serviced ASAP and then use soap and water for cleaning.

"Ultrasonic cleaners are very good" I have one and use is all the time. but I take the case off the bct and put it in then. On the one that I sell, it has a little part that holds the case out of the water but leaving the bct in, And they are only £45 plus post, if anyone wants one. With regard to the lubricants in the links!! it sounds to me that you still have soap stuck in it. They do not put any oil in the links as far as no.

E-mail me if anyone wants a Ultrasonic. [e-mail]

Martin

...I don't mean in the bracelet - but within the watch case itself. I thought wtd put the whole watch in the cleaner - not just the bracelet. I'm sure dislodging oil from around the watch mechanism is not a wise move.

[zelleyford]

16610LV said:

zelleyford said:

16610LV said:

wtd said:

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, in a shopping center near me they have an open autoclave where people can drop in their glasses, press a button and ultrasonic waves go through the water lifting off all the dirt. Dropped the trusty Seamaster in there, pressed the button and was amazed as all the gunk and dirt came out from between the bracelet links! Superbly clean. Although I think it did take out some kind of lubricant from between the links as they feel kinda more mettaly now...

...more worryingly, what about the lubricants dislodged WITHIN the watch's mechanism?! If you like your watch, I think you should get it serviced ASAP and then use soap and water for cleaning.

"Ultrasonic cleaners are very good" I have one and use is all the time. but I take the case off the bct and put it in then. On the one that I sell, it has a little part that holds the case out of the water but leaving the bct in, And they are only £45 plus post, if anyone wants one. With regard to the lubricants in the links!! it sounds to me that you still have soap stuck in it. They do not put any oil in the links as far as no.
E-mail me if anyone wants a Ultrasonic. [e-mail]
Martin

...I don't mean in the bracelet - but within the watch case itself. I thought wtd put the whole watch in the cleaner - not just the bracelet. I'm sure dislodging oil from around the watch mechanism is not a wise move.

Yea that doesn’t sound to good. You best get that done ASAP, if you find it starts loosing time then it’s definitely something that you best get done.
I have just had a look at how much it costs and its £160 for an auto. I have a shop in Hertfordshire if you would like to get it done. I normally give PH members a discount. [e-mail].
Martin Zelley

[SpydieNut]

warm water, dove soap and an old toothbrush for me too - works a treat (on the watch that is)