some expert advice (or rolex guidelines) required please re cleaning watch!

[mibondin]

Hi all, just looked up threads on the site regarding finding out exactly what was appropriate in terms of cleaning watches with 100M water ratings made by rolex (i.e. GMT) and got a whole heap of opinions from - try to never get wet or get soap on the watch to - wear it in the shower, soap it up everyday! What are the guidelines suggested by watchmakers on this site in terms of their expert opinions? I would like to wash my watch a couple of times a week using hand soap and warm water - is this eventually going to seep into the watch and destroy the water tight seals? The last thing I want to do is take it for a service and get told I am an absolute idiot for years of washing abuse...

[ohlins]

i aint any watchmaker but here it goes.....

washing with water is fine.....

washing with water and soap is fine too.....

[BiG JeEzY]

Hi there Mark!

I dont think you have anything to worry about so just pretty much wash away. Rolex was one the pioneers of the idea of a watch being water resistant so they are indeed very reliable timepieces for water activities. They, as a brand, have been making water resistant watches for over 80 years now so they definitely know what theyre doing.

Just make sure that every time you expose the watch to anything water related, always check to see that the crown is completely screwed in but dont force it any further when its already tight since that damages the water gaskets. Then have it serviced periodically so that those water gaskets are replaced and your watch retains its water resistance.

[frostie]

i agree with jerome

[mike]

Assuming your watch is in good repair, using lukewarm water and a mild soap is fine. This is Rolex's recommended way of cleaning the watch.

[jac67]

Rolex Oyster cased watches are WATERPROOF not water resistant, so submerging then into water is fine.

Warm water and mild soap is fine.


John.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Yeah, as Mike says Rolex actually RECOMMENDS that you wash your Rolex.

BUT: Rolex does actually not mention using "soap" at all.

In the booklet "Your Rolex Oyster" that comes with every Rolex bought, it says:

"KEEPING YOUR ROLEX CLEAN:

After a time you may notice that a film will collect on your Rolex Oyster case which robs of its beauty and lustre. Also dirt and grime will collect between your bracelet links and literally act as sandpaper, grinding the metal away. This can be corrected simply by periodic washing in lukewarm water, using a soft brush on the bracelet, case and crown. Before doing this make sure that the crown is securely screwed down onto the case. After a salt water swim, rinse it in fresh water to remove salt and sand......"

But if you use a MILD handwashing soap (NO balsam in the soap, please, as the balsam would just be hard to wash off!), there should be no risk.

[Randy]

Dont be afraid to shower or get you Rolex wet- It will not tarnish!! My Submariner is 14 years old, I shower with it daily and still looks like new!!

[redsrover]

Use any handsoap, but avoid anything with pumice or something like GoJo degreaser. No solvents or anything. Although I doused my N series GMT II in gasoline once and it was a couple of hours before I could get any water on it.

Soft toothbrush also helps get into the tiny reaches of the bracelet. I wash mine at least once a week, and shower with it as often.

[Tools]

All Rolex Oyster family watches are waterproof..

Here's what Rolex has to say..

[mibondin]

Thanks guys for you very very helpful posts, appreciate it! I bought my GMT second hand without papers so that paper work scanned through was very helpful. Just wondering what rolex meant by watch your oyster case watches "regularly" with soap and water - I assume regularly means on a weekly basis?

[ohlins]

that's a tough question..............."regularly"....??? ha i think weekly is fine...........even everyday is fine too...........

[ROGU808]

Washing it with soap and water is fine!
Your GMT is rated water resistant to a depth of 100m...and is in fact tested to quite a bit deeper than that.
A bath will not do any damage to your watch as far as water getting into the case, as long as you make sure the crown is screwed down securely, as others have stated.
As for your Rolex being WATERPROOF...I think I read somewhere that it's unlawful to have the word "waterproof" on any watch. I forget the exact reason...but I'm guessing it's something like..."never say never"...LOL

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

Yeah, as Mike says Rolex actually RECOMMENDS that you wash your Rolex.

BUT: Rolex does actually not mention using "soap" at all.

In the booklet "Your Rolex Oyster" that comes with every Rolex bought, it says:

"KEEPING YOUR ROLEX CLEAN:

After a time you may notice that a film will collect on your Rolex Oyster case which robs of its beauty and lustre. Also dirt and grime will collect between your bracelet links and literally act as sandpaper, grinding the metal away. This can be corrected simply by periodic washing in lukewarm water, using a soft brush on the bracelet, case and crown. Before doing this make sure that the crown is securely screwed down onto the case. After a salt water swim, rinse it in fresh water to remove salt and sand......"

But if you use a MILD handwashing soap (NO balsam in the soap, please, as the balsam would just be hard to wash off!), there should be no risk.

Originally Posted by mibondin

Thanks guys for you very very helpful posts, appreciate it! I bought my GMT second hand without papers so that paper work scanned through was very helpful. Just wondering what rolex meant by watch your oyster case watches "regularly" with soap and water - I assume regularly means on a weekly basis?

It "periodic" better??