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Old 8 September 2008, 09:08 PM   #1
brettpaul
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How to clean a Rolex?

I wanted to get input on the most effective/safe manner to clean my Rolex Sea Dweller - it's an M-production 2008 model (sure to be a collector as it's being replaced by the Deep Sea later this year) and I want to be sure I keep it in pristine condition as I like to wear it swimming in the ocean at in pools.

I know Rolex says 'warm, soapy water', but am afraid of using a 'detergent' soap like dish liquid - what is a quality alternative? I've been using a fragrence/chemical free glycerin soap until now.

Thanks for the help!

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Old 8 September 2008, 10:15 PM   #2
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Just plain old mild soap and water and a occasional use of a soft wet brush thats all thats needed. But when you wear in sea or pool just rinse in fresh water after.No need for special cloths or quality alternatives etc Rolex watches are made from S.Steel one of the toughest and quite stain resistant metals made today.My first SD before it was lost in the Red sea had many years of salt water treatment with only the very occasional dip in fresh water,without any problem whatsoever.But today most Rolex watches get a very pampered life,reading a lot of posts on this and other forums.Just keep watch clean with mild soap fresh water your watch will last a life time it really is that simple.Your SD has been pressure tested far beyond any human will ever experince. So I am 100% sure a little bit of mild detergent will not harm any Rolex just rinse in plain fresh water after.The most important thing is to wear your watch in good health for the next 40 plus years.
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Old 8 September 2008, 10:23 PM   #3
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In addition to what padi said, I use a cotton cloth (old baby blanket) to wipe mine down every week or so. You will see alot of posts advising to be very WARY of polishing cloths as they remove metal.

Best of luck!
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Old 8 September 2008, 10:35 PM   #4
cwru32
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i would say take it to shower everyday and it will get its watch-wash.
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Old 8 September 2008, 10:42 PM   #5
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Soft Scrub with an old toothbrush works just fine. Dry with a cotton cloth.
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:03 AM   #6
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I use a clean micro fiber cloth for wipe down and regular hand soap for washing.
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:21 AM   #7
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Buy a leather chamois cloth on line or at a auto store.

while traveling i also take one to use as a "sleeping bag" for my watch as well as to polish it,
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:34 AM   #8
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If you're inclined you could also get a cheap ultrasonic cleaner (just the bracelet gets submerged). It's not required, but I got into the habit as a young guy because my Dad had one in his optical shop. You see wisps of junk escaping that washing missed. Again, not required, but it's how the RSC and others clean bracelets.
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:09 AM   #9
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I use a clean micro fiber cloth for wipe down and regular hand soap for washing.
What airport do you fly your Bonanza out of. I fly and teach at Falcon (FFC).
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:10 PM   #10
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What airport do you fly your Bonanza out of. I fly and teach at Falcon (FFC).

You beat me too it!!! When I was flying, mostly Pipers, we used to call the 35 a v-tail Doctor killer!!!
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:40 AM   #11
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I hang my arm out the window as I go through the car wash.
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Old 9 September 2008, 02:04 AM   #12
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Power Scrub........



Spin dry...

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Old 9 September 2008, 02:08 AM   #13
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Power Scrub........



Spin dry...

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Old 9 September 2008, 02:21 AM   #14
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used tooth brush with soft bristles and foamy hand wash soap does the trick for me. Once a week is good enough.
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Old 9 September 2008, 02:31 AM   #15
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Eye glass cleaner

I use a spray bottle of eye glass cleaner.. and tissue. works great. -Bob.
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:12 AM   #16
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Power Scrub........



Spin dry...



Wash and wind all at once. My guess is, however, that once the centrifugal force is applied, it is constant and therefor good for only one wind. I throw mine in the Maytag to keep it clean and always wound.
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Old 9 September 2008, 02:08 AM   #17
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I started using OR-Pine soap. Its a boat soap that leaves a nice wax shine behind...
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:07 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brettpaul View Post
I wanted to get input on the most effective/safe manner to clean my Rolex Sea Dweller - it's an M-production 2008 model (sure to be a collector as it's being replaced by the Deep Sea later this year) and I want to be sure I keep it in pristine condition as I like to wear it swimming in the ocean at in pools.

I know Rolex says 'warm, soapy water', but am afraid of using a 'detergent' soap like dish liquid - what is a quality alternative? I've been using a fragrence/chemical free glycerin soap until now.

Thanks for the help!

brettpaul
SOAP, WATER, TOOTHBRUSH - ONCE A WEEK - END OF STORY!!
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:10 AM   #19
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SOAP, WATER, TOOTHBRUSH - ONCE A WEEK - END OF STORY!!
Your Rolex dummy; not your banana!
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:10 AM   #20
JJ Irani
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Your Rolex dummy; not your banana!
Now why doesn't your reply surprise me?
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:20 PM   #21
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Now why doesn't your reply surprise me?
Come on JJ! Make my day, CALL HIM A TOSSER!!!!

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssse eeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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Old 9 September 2008, 08:16 AM   #22
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Your Rolex dummy; not your banana!
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Old 9 September 2008, 08:29 AM   #23
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I recommend liquid hand soap (not dish washing soap), warm water, and a toothbrush with soft bristles. An ultrasonic toothbrush is fine if you have one. A cotton cloth used for drying the watch might leave lint. Microfiber cloth is preferable.
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:11 AM   #24
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Non-detergent hand soap, lukewarm water, and a Sonicare toothbrush will do wonders for any Rolex. The ultrasonic vibration will remove particles from spots that you would not normally be able to remove.
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Old 9 September 2008, 04:34 AM   #25
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I get sixteen vestal virgins to wash mine. Each rubs up a lather on their nubile thigh then allows my watch to brush gently against their delicate skin...only once!!!!!!!

Once that stage is done, I get an old crone to beat it with a salt encrusted Codfish forty times, no more, no less. It has to be forty. Any number other than forty and the moon will fall into the sun and we will all be destroyed from the resulting supernova.

Stage three is to rinse the watch thoroughly in the clear crystal glacial streams of the Antarctic ice flows. The watch is designed to take the extreme cold and if you add a stick of gum it leaves it feeling minty fresh.

Stage four...the watch is then place onto the supple forlock of an Alpaca. The exercise not only winds the watch but the soft fur gently dries the steel case.

Stage five. One hundred kittens are fed yellow skittles candy and they use their sweet baby kitten breath to air dry my beloved watch. This allows all droplets of moisture to leave the bracelet. You have not experienced dry until you feel 'kitten-dry'!

Finally the crystal is inspected for damage and gently given a buff by seven diamond mining dwarves. Diamond mining Dwarves are the best at knowing their quality crystal and minerals although they are desperate to leave at five pm as they need to get home to their lady friend "who was as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony wood"!!!!!!

These yahoos posting here with their soap and water have no idea about cleaning these fantastic, extremely valuable and much better than all other brands timepieces.

Good luck with the cleaning!

J
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:13 PM   #26
redshirt1957
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbits76 View Post
I get sixteen vestal virgins to wash mine. Each rubs up a lather on their nubile thigh then allows my watch to brush gently against their delicate skin...only once!!!!!!!

Once that stage is done, I get an old crone to beat it with a salt encrusted Codfish forty times, no more, no less. It has to be forty. Any number other than forty and the moon will fall into the sun and we will all be destroyed from the resulting supernova.

Stage three is to rinse the watch thoroughly in the clear crystal glacial streams of the Antarctic ice flows. The watch is designed to take the extreme cold and if you add a stick of gum it leaves it feeling minty fresh.

Stage four...the watch is then place onto the supple forlock of an Alpaca. The exercise not only winds the watch but the soft fur gently dries the steel case.

Stage five. One hundred kittens are fed yellow skittles candy and they use their sweet baby kitten breath to air dry my beloved watch. This allows all droplets of moisture to leave the bracelet. You have not experienced dry until you feel 'kitten-dry'!

Finally the crystal is inspected for damage and gently given a buff by seven diamond mining dwarves. Diamond mining Dwarves are the best at knowing their quality crystal and minerals although they are desperate to leave at five pm as they need to get home to their lady friend "who was as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony wood"!!!!!!

These yahoos posting here with their soap and water have no idea about cleaning these fantastic, extremely valuable and much better than all other brands timepieces.

Good luck with the cleaning!

J
Geez Jim! I love the poet in you, but this ole' redneck could say it in a lot fewer words. So here goes....If you were a dog and your rolex were your dangle bits; the cleaning would be done often and quickly.
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Old 9 September 2008, 01:17 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbits76 View Post
I get sixteen vestal virgins to wash mine. Each rubs up a lather on their nubile thigh then allows my watch to brush gently against their delicate skin...only once!!!!!!!

Once that stage is done, I get an old crone to beat it with a salt encrusted Codfish forty times, no more, no less. It has to be forty. Any number other than forty and the moon will fall into the sun and we will all be destroyed from the resulting supernova.

Stage three is to rinse the watch thoroughly in the clear crystal glacial streams of the Antarctic ice flows. The watch is designed to take the extreme cold and if you add a stick of gum it leaves it feeling minty fresh.

Stage four...the watch is then place onto the supple forlock of an Alpaca. The exercise not only winds the watch but the soft fur gently dries the steel case.

Stage five. One hundred kittens are fed yellow skittles candy and they use their sweet baby kitten breath to air dry my beloved watch. This allows all droplets of moisture to leave the bracelet. You have not experienced dry until you feel 'kitten-dry'!

Finally the crystal is inspected for damage and gently given a buff by seven diamond mining dwarves. Diamond mining Dwarves are the best at knowing their quality crystal and minerals although they are desperate to leave at five pm as they need to get home to their lady friend "who was as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony wood"!!!!!!

These yahoos posting here with their soap and water have no idea about cleaning these fantastic, extremely valuable and much better than all other brands timepieces.

Good luck with the cleaning!

J
man i just laughed for like 5 minutes at this
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Old 9 September 2008, 05:23 PM   #28
JJ Irani
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbits76 View Post
I get sixteen vestal virgins to wash mine. Each rubs up a lather on their nubile thigh then allows my watch to brush gently against their delicate skin...only once!!!!!!!

Once that stage is done, I get an old crone to beat it with a salt encrusted Codfish forty times, no more, no less. It has to be forty. Any number other than forty and the moon will fall into the sun and we will all be destroyed from the resulting supernova.

Stage three is to rinse the watch thoroughly in the clear crystal glacial streams of the Antarctic ice flows. The watch is designed to take the extreme cold and if you add a stick of gum it leaves it feeling minty fresh.

Stage four...the watch is then place onto the supple forlock of an Alpaca. The exercise not only winds the watch but the soft fur gently dries the steel case.

Stage five. One hundred kittens are fed yellow skittles candy and they use their sweet baby kitten breath to air dry my beloved watch. This allows all droplets of moisture to leave the bracelet. You have not experienced dry until you feel 'kitten-dry'!

Finally the crystal is inspected for damage and gently given a buff by seven diamond mining dwarves. Diamond mining Dwarves are the best at knowing their quality crystal and minerals although they are desperate to leave at five pm as they need to get home to their lady friend "who was as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony wood"!!!!!!

These yahoos posting here with their soap and water have no idea about cleaning these fantastic, extremely valuable and much better than all other brands timepieces.

Good luck with the cleaning!

J
Absolutely hilarious!!
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Old 9 September 2008, 06:48 AM   #29
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in the maytag...doesnt that chip the ceramic in the washer???
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Old 9 September 2008, 02:11 PM   #30
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in the maytag...doesnt that chip the ceramic in the washer???
Yeah, usually.
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