Seiko Club Singapore Museum

Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

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Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Question ?? How do you clean your watch or dont you even bother ?



My Seiko's are 10bar water resist , so i rince them in fresh water & use a old toothbrush with some mild soapy solution . i proceed to brush around the glass , case & bracelet , then i rince it off & use a clean towel to dry it off .

The watch looks like new once again & all the built up micro dirt is gone leaving a fresh clean watch to place on my wrist again .
Astro2212
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Any wristshots???must b lnib wor
lunarin79
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
i don't usually clean my watches but if there's really a need, i uses the same method as you



but i'm more anal about preowned bracelet, especially if I just bought it preowned off from seller.



I'll use Jif & toothbrush to clean the bracelet or a simple jewellery sonic cleaner machine.



watch head, I'll just use microfibre cloth(those for cleaning spectacles) to clean the case & caseback.
Astro2212
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"lunarin79"

i don't usually clean my watches but if there's really a need, i uses the same method as you



but i'm more anal about preowned bracelet, especially if I just bought it preowned off from seller.



I'll use Jif & toothbrush to clean the bracelet or a simple jewellery sonic cleaner machine.



watch head, I'll just use microfibre cloth(those for cleaning spectacles) to clean the case & caseback.

Can help me clean my 梅花 spring bars bo???sibeh rusty n dirty
lunarin79
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"Astro2212"


Can help me clean my 梅花 spring bars bo???sibeh rusty n dirty


u ar?



go buy new springbar la
Badern
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:
rogue_hog
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"Badern"

As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:


Bro you don't use a prophyjet? Hahaha!
Cosmograph
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"Badern"

As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:


You just don't want to waste the old toothbrush right? Wah old toothpaste also have? (I try to use new) :lol: :lol: :lol:



Alcohol wipes are a good disinfectant and washing with water helps. Obviously I find it most helpful to have a pair of hands in addition to the microfibre cloths for drying. Hmm ultrasonic cleaners for jewellery, where's a good place to get one?
roo7
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"Cosmograph"

[quote="Badern"]As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:


You just don't want to waste the old toothbrush right? Wah old toothpaste also have? (I try to use new) :lol: :lol: :lol:



Alcohol wipes are a good disinfectant and washing with water helps. Obviously I find it most helpful to have a pair of hands in addition to the microfibre cloths for drying. Hmm ultrasonic cleaners for jewellery, where's a good place to get one?[/quote]

I got one in Home Fix or DIY Fix, 1 of those shops... really good for cleaning the bracelets, rings and other stuff... you see the micro dirt coming out.. yucks :lol:
lvsttoh
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Cape Cod Cloth from HomeFix DIY. It is great.
rogue_hog
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"lvsttoh"

Cape Cod Cloth from HomeFix DIY. It is great.


Yes but only on polished surfaces I was told. Not brushed surfaces.
sellwatch
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Ultrasonic for me too. For new divers, whole head goes in together with bracelet. For vintage no.
fir_chan
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
So many tips.... what is a good way for Vintage watches?



I have been trying to secure the case first then trying hard to use Q Tips to wipes the tiny grooves.



Is there a better more practical way to do this?
Badern
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"rogue_hog"

[quote="Badern"]As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:


Bro you don't use a prophyjet? Hahaha![/quote]

Only if they need scaling! Hahahah!
fireal
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
mama lemon
peh23
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Hi,

wana check with u guys if u know how to remove the bezel of a Seiko map meter watch? Feel like removing it for polishing and cleaning inside. Any advise?
fireal
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
most likely just slip thin blade between bezel n case and snap open like seiko monster



but u better check around first :)
jaydentan
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
I generally clean the dial and glass with soft cloth,and stores it after use in watch box. :D
peh23
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"fireal"

most likely just slip thin blade between bezel n case and snap open like seiko monster



but u better check around first :)


I tried but surround it is the rubber shroud ,so dunno which angle to slot it in to pry it up. I've tried thin blade flat screw driver but it's tight so I dare not pry up more before check around which is the best method.
fpaus
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Interesting to hear the different ways. I use Autosol. I remove the strap and bezel using the end of a stapler that is used to remove unwanted staplers. I then work the watch all around several times. It looks better than new after that! I then wash it down with the pressure hose in my toilet to make sure all of the autosol is gone.
Evirobie
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"Cosmograph"

[quote="Badern"]As most of my watches are divers I normally use an old toothbrush and toothpaste. I find the fine abrasives in the toothpaste helps in the process. The minty fresh smell is a plus :lol:


You just don't want to waste the old toothbrush right? Wah old toothpaste also have? (I try to use new) :lol: :lol: :lol:



Alcohol wipes are a good disinfectant and washing with water helps. Obviously I find it most helpful to have a pair of hands in addition to the microfibre cloths for drying. Hmm ultrasonic cleaners for jewellery, where's a good place to get one?[/quote]

I use alcohol wipes to clean my vintage and wipe dry with microfibre cloth too.
cyclohexane
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
I just this. just add water and soak my watch in it. (got it at a $2 shop at liang court). The tiny bubbles would easily remove the dirt trapped in the small crevices. Works just like those fancy sonicators.



fir_chan
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
How do you clean Vintages then??



Especially if waterproofing is an unknown factor?
sellwatch
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"cyclohexane"

I just this. just add water and soak my watch in it. (got it at a $2 shop at liang court). The tiny bubbles would easily remove the dirt trapped in the small crevices. Works just like those fancy sonicators.





One time use $2? Or one pack can use many times?
cyclohexane
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"sellwatch"

[quote="cyclohexane"]I just this. just add water and soak my watch in it. (got it at a $2 shop at liang court). The tiny bubbles would easily remove the dirt trapped in the small crevices. Works just like those fancy sonicators.





One time use $2? Or one pack can use many times?[/quote]

one pack has got 5 tablets. so per wash is $0.40.
softup
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"cyclohexane"

[quote="sellwatch"]


One time use $2? Or one pack can use many times?


one pack has got 5 tablets. so per wash is $0.40.[/quote]

Daiso hv onot ?
cyclohexane
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"softup"

[quote="cyclohexane"]


one pack has got 5 tablets. so per wash is $0.40.


Daiso hv onot ?[/quote]

err... nv see b4 leh.
McNulty
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Water, neutral soap and toothbrush.



Vintages recently received are disassembled, and steel parts are cleaned with very hot water with some ammoniac, and toothbrush again. Then, ultrasonic session.



A hair dryer to eliminate rest of water to finish the session.



I eill look for some pictures I took last year.
fir_chan
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"McNulty"

Water, neutral soap and toothbrush.



Vintages recently received are disassembled, and steel parts are cleaned with very hot water with some ammoniac, and toothbrush again. Then, ultrasonic session.



A hair dryer to eliminate rest of water to finish the session.



I eill look for some pictures I took last year.


Mate,



So you take them apart for the process?



NOt sure about the rest. But for me.... i will end up destroying the watch. or worse.... drown it.... not sure which is worse.



I would need to work on damaged samples to get some confidence before attempting anything.
greenboy11
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
mild detergent + a good ultrasonic does the trick for me. brushes are risky. oh and ill clean with qtips on areas still stuck with grime/dirt.
shockerx
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Usually for water resist water, I will week it in the steam bath then, when shower wash together, clean
KKFA
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
Hi, tot stem bath no good. I think I remember readying somewhere to avoid steam for watches.



As for me, I just rinse in running water after wearing. Use mild soap and extra soft tooth brush to clean nw and then. Do not intend to sell anything so just keep clean for myself. Cheers. :D
shockerx
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
So far so Good for mine, touch wood. Ha ha .. depending on which watch is dirty then I bring to the gym. Only those water resistant or Casio watch. :) actually mild soap will do, Cause dirt usually is form by sweat and skin ddeposits. Yucks
Den
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?

"sellwatch"

Ultrasonic for me too. For new divers, whole head goes in together with bracelet. For vintage no.


I read a couple of forums regarding ultrasonic cleaning. Most of them mentioned that it will rock the watch movements. Unless you dismantle the whole watch. So far have you encounter any problems?
KKFA
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
I was also told the same as the ultrasonic vibration will "shake" the mechanism. I saw one ultrasonic cleaner that have a curved plastic accessory that keeps your watch body abive the water. But this method cleans the bracelet only.
fireal
Re: Cleaning your watch , How Do you Do It ?
actually this is the first time i hear the whole watch go into ultrasonic :O