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GMTJOHNNY · 28 April 2008, 01:09 PM

Being a chemist, I understand different grades of lubricating oils are used on different parts of the watch.

Typically what are the oils used? Naturally derived, synthetic?

I assumed natural because of the mention of oxidation and "becoming thick with age and exposure to air".

Any references, websites, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

oneillba · 28 April 2008, 01:15 PM

Well, I know what oils aren't being used. I was at my AD on Saturday sending my Rollie off to get serviced by the RSC. Anyway, we got to talking about old pocket watches and how when you open some of the old ones you get an unusual smell... yes, old time sperm whale oil! Things have come a long way since those old days. I have a bottle of sperm whale oil from some old gun cleaning kits from yesteryear. I'm sure some of the forum's experts can help you on your technical aspects. Me, I just liike to add color comments to the posts whenever I can.

abigsecret · 28 April 2008, 01:29 PM

Hi Johnny

They do use synthetic oils inside the movement.
Here's a link with which kind they use (some of them have changed by now, but most of them are still the same.)

http://www.horologist.com/rolex_lubrication.htm

GMTJOHNNY · 28 April 2008, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the web link!
Way more information than I expected!!
Should have gone into this business years ago....All my Rolexes would have been "right offs"!

oneillba · 28 April 2008, 01:34 PM

abigsecret, thanks. a very informative site.

SPACE-DWELLER · 28 April 2008, 08:55 PM

You sure know how to pour oil on troubled waters, Mireyna!

Lol-x · 28 April 2008, 09:01 PM

I guess a lot of us are guilty of thinking that lubricating a watch is like changing the oil in a car.

Well it isn't, it's more like totally striping the engine under a microscope, checking each part for microscopic wear and tear. Relubing every microscopic part with 1 of about 6 or so different kinds of lube and putting it back together so that it keeps 99.999% accuracy, running 24/7 over the next 5 or so years.

Man that is truely amazing

Jedi · 28 April 2008, 09:47 PM

Great link, thanks Mireyna.

Edit to add: Have you used their services or know of someone who has?

Bobareno · 29 April 2008, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the info.

MrClean · 29 April 2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneillba

Well, I know what oils aren't being used. I was at my AD on Saturday sending my Rollie off to get serviced by the RSC. Anyway, we got to talking about old pocket watches and how when you open some of the old ones you get an unusual smell... yes, old time sperm whale oil! Things have come a long way since those old days. I have a bottle of sperm whale oil from some old gun cleaning kits from yesteryear. I'm sure some of the forum's experts can help you on your technical aspects. Me, I just liike to add color comments to the posts whenever I can.

interesting, i remember an aerosol sperm whale oil for motorcycle chains being offered up thru mid 1970s

28 April 2008, 01:09 PM	#1
GMTJOHNNY "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: LONG ISLAND, NY Watch: 2007 DAY DATE 18KT Posts: 1,378	Lubricating Oils, Grade and Function Question Being a chemist, I understand different grades of lubricating oils are used on different parts of the watch. Typically what are the oils used? Naturally derived, synthetic? I assumed natural because of the mention of oxidation and "becoming thick with age and exposure to air". Any references, websites, etc. would be greatly appreciated. __________________ ROLEX DAY DATE 118238 (2007) ROLEX DAY DATE 18238 (1997) ROLEX GMT 16750 PEPSI (1987) ROLEX AIR KING 14000 (1991) ROLEX GMTIIC TT 116713LN (2008)

28 April 2008, 01:15 PM	#2
oneillba "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Brian Location: Hamilton, MI USA Watch: My beloved TT DJ Posts: 3,831	Well, I know what oils aren't being used. I was at my AD on Saturday sending my Rollie off to get serviced by the RSC. Anyway, we got to talking about old pocket watches and how when you open some of the old ones you get an unusual smell... yes, old time sperm whale oil! Things have come a long way since those old days. I have a bottle of sperm whale oil from some old gun cleaning kits from yesteryear. I'm sure some of the forum's experts can help you on your technical aspects. Me, I just liike to add color comments to the posts whenever I can. __________________ My Trusty TT DJ

28 April 2008, 01:29 PM	#3
abigsecret "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Mireyna Location: s o t r Watch: your back! Posts: 2,282	Hi Johnny They do use synthetic oils inside the movement. Here's a link with which kind they use (some of them have changed by now, but most of them are still the same.) http://www.horologist.com/rolex_lubrication.htm __________________ #6267 He who knows no foreign language does not know his own.-Goethe

28 April 2008, 01:32 PM	#4
GMTJOHNNY "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: LONG ISLAND, NY Watch: 2007 DAY DATE 18KT Posts: 1,378	Thanks for the web link! Way more information than I expected!! Should have gone into this business years ago....All my Rolexes would have been "right offs"! __________________ ROLEX DAY DATE 118238 (2007) ROLEX DAY DATE 18238 (1997) ROLEX GMT 16750 PEPSI (1987) ROLEX AIR KING 14000 (1991) ROLEX GMTIIC TT 116713LN (2008)

28 April 2008, 01:34 PM	#5
oneillba "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Brian Location: Hamilton, MI USA Watch: My beloved TT DJ Posts: 3,831	abigsecret, thanks. a very informative site. __________________ My Trusty TT DJ

28 April 2008, 08:55 PM	#6
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	You sure know how to pour oil on troubled waters, Mireyna! __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

28 April 2008, 09:01 PM	#7
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,593	I guess a lot of us are guilty of thinking that lubricating a watch is like changing the oil in a car. Well it isn't, it's more like totally striping the engine under a microscope, checking each part for microscopic wear and tear. Relubing every microscopic part with 1 of about 6 or so different kinds of lube and putting it back together so that it keeps 99.999% accuracy, running 24/7 over the next 5 or so years. Man that is truely amazing __________________ *Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.* ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim

28 April 2008, 09:47 PM	#8
Jedi "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Lee Location: Malaysia Watch: 16750 Posts: 2,534	Great link, thanks Mireyna. Edit to add: Have you used their services or know of someone who has? __________________ Lee This is my watch. There are many like it but this one is mine... Flickr Blog Last edited by Jedi; 28 April 2008 at 09:50 PM.. Reason: To add question

29 April 2008, 01:00 AM	#9
Bobareno Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 739	Thanks for the info.

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