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Old 8 September 2021, 11:50 AM   #1
MikeMWatchFan
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Deep Clean Luxury Watch - What Tools & Technique

Curious how you all deep clean your daily worn watches. There are some deep nooks and crannies to get into on my Rolexes particularly around the bezel, around the case back and in the clasp mechanism. What tool would guarantee no scratches? A fine horsehair brush maybe? Q-tips are too big to really get in there to agitate and remove the gunk. Links to any kits you have used would be great. Thanks!
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Old 8 September 2021, 11:58 AM   #2
kieselguhr
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Deep Clean Luxury Watch - What Tools & Technique

- A faucet
- Dish soap
- microfiber towel

Rinse watch under running water to take off surface debris. 1 drop of dishwasher liquid onto either hand. Rub palms together to form suds. Rub onto rinsed watch. Use soft toothbrush if needed. Rinse under running faucet. Pat dry with microfiber.
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Old 8 September 2021, 12:00 PM   #3
Robf52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kieselguhr View Post
- A faucet
- Dish soap
- microfiber towel
Exactly.
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Old 9 September 2021, 03:51 AM   #4
Meyrin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kieselguhr View Post
- A faucet
- Dish soap
- microfiber towel

Rinse watch under running water to take off surface debris. 1 drop of dishwasher liquid onto either hand. Rub palms together to form suds. Rub onto rinsed watch. Use soft toothbrush if needed. Rinse under running faucet. Pat dry with microfiber.
Exactly this! And if your watch has a rotating bezel (like a Sub) then give it a good few turns while holding the watch under the running tap!
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Old 9 September 2021, 04:02 AM   #5
LA_LEC
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Quote:
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Exactly this! And if your watch has a rotating bezel (like a Sub) then give it a good few turns while holding the watch under the running tap!
Good to point that out as it is often forgotten.
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Old 8 September 2021, 12:05 PM   #6
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Water, mild dish soap, and microfiber cloth to dry. Soft bristle toothbrush on occasion. Have relatively large collection, wear ‘em all and have never once needed to clean any deeper than that.


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Old 8 September 2021, 04:03 PM   #7
PBJ1925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sj24k View Post
Water, mild dish soap, and microfiber cloth to dry. Soft bristle toothbrush on occasion. Have relatively large collection, wear ‘em all and have never once needed to clean any deeper than that.


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+1 minus the large collection for me.
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Old 8 September 2021, 04:06 PM   #8
joli160
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For a thorough clean of the bracelet you need a ultrasonic.
Not for the watch head.
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Old 8 September 2021, 07:10 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
For a thorough clean of the bracelet you need a ultrasonic.

Not for the watch head.
Yep, he did say "deep clean"

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Old 8 September 2021, 12:09 PM   #10
MikeMWatchFan
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Will the toothbrush scratch? I have a gold sub that scratches easily so have been hesitant to try that.
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Old 8 September 2021, 12:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeMWatchFan View Post
Curious how you all deep clean your daily worn watches. There are some deep nooks and crannies to get into on my Rolexes particularly around the bezel, around the case back and in the clasp mechanism. What tool would guarantee no scratches? A fine horsehair brush maybe? Q-tips are too big to really get in there to agitate and remove the gunk. Links to any kits you have used would be great. Thanks!
Nothing more than a good pre-soak in pretty hot dish washing soapy water and an old soft toothbrush to agitate and make lots of bubbles.
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Old 8 September 2021, 12:15 PM   #12
brandrea
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For deep cleaning you may want an ultra sonic cleaner

https://millenarywatches.com/best-ul...aners-watches/
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Old 8 September 2021, 01:44 PM   #13
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For deep cleaning you may want an ultra sonic cleaner

https://millenarywatches.com/best-ul...aners-watches/

Yea definitely don’t do that


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Old 8 September 2021, 01:52 PM   #14
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Make sure to check your crown is not loose and I'd consider using distilled water ie Brita Filter to remove the chlorine and other stuff.

For soap, I agree to use dishwasher soap and pick something like Dawn or Cascade.
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Old 8 September 2021, 10:00 PM   #15
Chester01
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Water, whatever soap is on the counter, and whatever towel in the room. For most, there is little need for this extensive deep clean that I describe as there is only so dirty the watch can get in the safe.
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Old 8 September 2021, 11:33 PM   #16
wigdog63
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I put mine in the washing machine, albeit on the cool cycle. It really comes out sparkling, but occasionally picks up a few scratches and dents.
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Old 9 September 2021, 03:06 AM   #17
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Small container, warm water and a little dawn soap. Soak for a few minutes, brush with a very soft toothbrush, rinse, dry with a microfiber.

Ultra sonic cleaners should only be used for the bracelet and never the watch. I also wouldn’t be putting my watch into the dishwasher ever.
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Old 9 September 2021, 03:30 AM   #18
Undefeatable
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Here is how I do a deep clean every few weeks:

Step 1) Remove bracelet from watch head.
Step 2) Put bracelet in ultrasonic cleaner with a mix of hot water and a little dish soap.
Step 3) While the bracelet is in the ultrasonic cleaner, use a soft tooth brush and some dish soap to scrub the watch head.
Step 4) Rinse everything off and towel dry.
Step 5) Reassemble.
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Old 9 September 2021, 03:46 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Undefeatable View Post
Here is how I do a deep clean every few weeks:

Step 1) Remove bracelet from watch head.
Step 2) Put bracelet in ultrasonic cleaner with a mix of hot water and a little dish soap.
Step 3) While the bracelet is in the ultrasonic cleaner, use a soft tooth brush and some dish soap to scrub the watch head.
Step 4) Rinse everything off and towel dry.
Step 5) Reassemble.
^^^ this
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Old 9 September 2021, 04:04 AM   #20
cornerstore
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This is the best method I’ve found. Gets into every little area. Spray, rinse, dry.
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