New Owner - DIY Cleaning Questions

[sam1988]

Hi all,

New first time rolex owner here. Datejust 41 model. Received watch as a gift and I LOVE IT! So excited about it that naturally I treat this piece like a baby. Ha. I don't know a whole lot about Rolex's but I've been researching and reading a lot to get more familiar with the watch, brand, etc. I don't know a whole lot yet about how to maintain, clean, etc. The reason I am here is to ask a few questions about cleaning this baby. I've read and watched a handful of videos on how to clean and it seems pretty standard to clean yourself with some dish soap. In order to avoid doing something stupid, is there any dish soap I absolutely should NOT use to clean it? (Some that may possess chemicals that will damage the watch).

Any pointers/info would be helpful and appreciated as I am certainly a novice in this field.


Thanks!

Sam

[Rsubnodate]

Welcome and Congrats!

I would purchase some wrist clean cleaning spray and drying cloth. Just be sure the crown is fully screwed down and use warm water once or twice a week depending on wear.

[AEC]

Choosing a detergent is pretty straight-forward. My advice is to always think twice about what ever cloth you have in your hand before you wipe the watch. The tiniest bits of grime can be lodged in a cloth that appears otherwise clean, and this can result in scratches.

Welcome to TRF! Glad to hear of your excitement about your new Rolex.

[trackntrail]

I use some dish soap and give it a thorough cleaning every other week. Sometimes I'll use a very soft bristle brush to get into the spaces between bracelet links if needed. Between those cleanings I just rinse the watch off when washing my hands or occasionally take it in the shower.

[JodyHighroller]

What is everyone using for brushes? I feel like toothbrushes may be too aggressive for bracelets with polished center links?

[Seibei]

Just don't over do it, use mild cleaning products in small amounts and not too often. Otherwise your seals may fail prematurely due to drying and cracking.

[Nikrnic]

I generally use wrist clean spray with their cloths. Also sometimes dawn dish soap with a baby tootbrush, it's ultra soft. Just double check that your crowns screwed down.

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[AJM914]

I use WristClean products and there great! The brush they sell as well works amazing!

[SearChart]

Just a bit of regular old dish soap and warm water will do, dry with a soft (microfiber) cloth.

[AConnolly]

I use dawn dish soap and my fingers only. Sometimes, I remove my bracelet with the bergeon 7825 tool and use an ultrasonic cleaner to really deep clean the links.. but that’s it!

[harvey]

Been using Johnsons baby shampoo and luke warm water. Dry with some tissue paper. Simple. No need to over think this.

[GradyPhilpott]

Warm, soapy water and a soft brush is all you need to keep your watch clean, according to Rolex.

[frankfrazetta]

Tighten crown.
Wear it in shower.
Use Ivory bar soap.
Use tooth brush to clean all nooks and crannies.
Finish your shower.
Take watch off wrist and pat dry with your bath towel.
Give light polish with dry cloth.
Done.
It will gleam.

[Rocket_Man]

I use hot water and Dawn dishwashing detergent next to the kitchen sink. Some soaps can have additives like moisturizing creams and fragrances. Dawn will remove grease and oils and leaves the watch nice and squeaky clean. Rinse thoroughly. I just use a towel to dry it. Sometimes a microfiber towel.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Just don't over do it, use mild cleaning products in small amounts and not too often. Otherwise your seals may fail prematurely due to drying and cracking.

You do know what modern Rolex seals are made of?

No domestic detergent is going to dry out and crack a seal, and certainly not before your skin was so damaged you couldn’t hold your watch to wash it.

OP - a regular wash with pretty much any non moisturising hand or dish soap just using your hands and a rinse in clean water, dry carefully with a soft cotton towel and you are good to go.

Do it regularly and you won’t get too much dirt building up