The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 8 September 2021, 11:50 AM   #1
MikeMWatchFan
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA
Posts: 369
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!
MikeMWatchFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 11:58 AM   #2
kieselguhr
"TRF" Member
 
kieselguhr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Real Name: Nick
Location: Las Vegas
Watch: 1601
Posts: 10,623
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.
kieselguhr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 12:00 PM   #3
Robf52
"TRF" Member
 
Robf52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Sunshine State
Watch: lots of Rolex
Posts: 5,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by kieselguhr View Post
- A faucet
- Dish soap
- microfiber towel
Exactly.
__________________
126610LV//116508 Daytona YG Black/Champagne
116655 YM40 Everose Oysterflex//126622 YM40 Blue//126600 SD43
126710BLNR//126711CHNR
126334 DJ41 Rhodium/Diamonds//126331 DJ41 TT Wimbledon
124300 OP41 Green//126334 DJ41Mint Green
Robf52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 03:51 AM   #4
Meyrin
"TRF" Member
 
Meyrin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Ian
Location: Hamburg
Watch: Sub 14060
Posts: 1,163
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!
Meyrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 04:02 AM   #5
LA_LEC
"TRF" Member
 
LA_LEC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meyrin View Post
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.
__________________
1661016610LV214270 MK2
"Life is far too short not to wear a Rolex!"
LA_LEC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 12:05 PM   #6
sj24k
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: GMT-07:00
Posts: 897
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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
sj24k is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 04:03 PM   #7
PBJ1925
2024 Pledge Member
 
PBJ1925's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Real Name: Jay
Location: Bay Area, CA
Watch: 326934
Posts: 2,319
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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
+1 minus the large collection for me.
PBJ1925 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 04:06 PM   #8
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,757
For a thorough clean of the bracelet you need a ultrasonic.
Not for the watch head.
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 07:10 PM   #9
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,075
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"

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 12:09 PM   #10
MikeMWatchFan
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA
Posts: 369
Will the toothbrush scratch? I have a gold sub that scratches easily so have been hesitant to try that.
MikeMWatchFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 12:12 PM   #11
Dirt
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brisbane
Watch: DSSD
Posts: 8,064
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.
Dirt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 12:15 PM   #12
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,075
For deep cleaning you may want an ultra sonic cleaner

https://millenarywatches.com/best-ul...aners-watches/
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 01:44 PM   #13
sailgclass
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: USA
Watch: 116610LN
Posts: 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
For deep cleaning you may want an ultra sonic cleaner

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

Yea definitely don’t do that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
sailgclass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 01:52 PM   #14
axelbrass
"TRF" Member
 
axelbrass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Toronto
Posts: 63
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.
axelbrass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 10:00 PM   #15
Chester01
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: East Coast
Watch: 16610
Posts: 4,933
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.
Chester01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 September 2021, 11:33 PM   #16
wigdog63
"TRF" Member
 
wigdog63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Real Name: Richard
Location: Hove,GB
Watch: me prevaricate.
Posts: 241
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.
wigdog63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 03:06 AM   #17
Deep18
2024 Pledge Member
 
Deep18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: VA
Watch: SD43
Posts: 545
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.
Deep18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 03:30 AM   #18
Undefeatable
"TRF" Member
 
Undefeatable's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Irvine, CA
Watch: 124060
Posts: 496
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.
__________________
2FA
Undefeatable is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 03:46 AM   #19
enjoythemusic
2024 Pledge Member
 
enjoythemusic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 21,164
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
__________________
__________________

----> Was Great Seeing Everyone At The TRF December 9 Tampa Meetup <----
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=968133

Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school.
www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/

Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.
enjoythemusic is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 9 September 2021, 04:04 AM   #20
cornerstore
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,010
This is the best method I’ve found. Gets into every little area. Spray, rinse, dry.
Attached Images
 
cornerstore is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.