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cammywatson033 · 29 May 2017, 09:24 PM

Hi guys,

I wrote on here a little while back about suspected dirt on the bezel of my 1977 date just turn o graph. I was told to try clean it with a small toothbrush and soapy water. Before I tried cleaning it I took it into a couple of upmarket jewellers in my area and they all told me it was dirt and it just needed cleaning. I only wore the watch once or twice before I started to notice this 'dirt' on the bezel so was confused as to how it got so dirty. Anyway, I tried cleaning it but to no avail, fast forward a few months (I haven't worn the watch in this time) and it seems to be spreading, not only that, it seems to be changing colour, it's going a kind of rainbow pattern, the same kind of look when petrol or oil is put on water. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and what I have to do to fix it, I'm scared it's going to cost a fortune to correct or that it completely ruins my watch. Any help at all would be appreciated.

TimeToGo · 29 May 2017, 09:33 PM

It's tough trying to answer your question without seeing a picture.
All I can add is that you pop the bezel and clean under it. If you have never done this, a watchmaker can do it fairly quickly..

Sky21 · 29 May 2017, 11:22 PM

Pictures will really help diagnose your problem. Also, if you have a Rolex AD in your area they might be able to give you some help as well.

andromeda160 · 30 May 2017, 12:47 AM

I've seen gold bezels change colors. It's usually to do with what's mixed in the gold. Occasionally the brass, bronze or copper will oxidize and change the color

cammywatson033 · 30 May 2017, 02:15 AM

Thanks for the reply guys. I've tried to get some photos but the iPhone camera isn't the greatest, I'll try dog out my digital camera and get some that way. I phoned a 'Laings' jewellers in my area and the service department have asked me to take it into them tomorrow. I hope it's an easy fix, I literally have no idea why it's doing this

Njtster · 30 May 2017, 02:33 AM

Mold?

Richard Carver · 30 May 2017, 05:00 AM

It's tarnish from the metals used in the 14k. Copper is the worst culprit. It's just patina my friend, use the watch and it will go away.

saskmh · 30 May 2017, 05:29 AM

Richard and Andromeda have it right... it's just the tarnishing of the alloy (usually the copper) in the gold.

cammywatson033 · 30 May 2017, 08:25 AM

Thanks guys, so will a jeweller be able to polish it out?

cammywatson033 · 30 May 2017, 08:30 AM

Also, is it possible to pop the bezel off to clean it?

Richard Carver · 30 May 2017, 10:11 AM

Why don't you wear the watch?

goldfixer21 · 30 May 2017, 10:29 AM

Find a jeweler that uses a Speedbrite cleaner, it does wonders on tarnish like that, and only takes about a minute

cammywatson033 · 30 May 2017, 05:32 PM

Ok, I'll seek out a jeweller that has this, thanks. I keep it as a good watch, I have another day to say watch, this is for special occasions

Fredrik · 31 May 2017, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cammywatson033

Also, is it possible to pop the bezel off to clean it?

Yes, it is. There is a risk though that you will get the crystal retaining ring with it when you remove it. And then there is a slight risk that you will crack the crystal when putting it back if there happens to be some dirt stuck. Be careful.

cammywatson033 · 31 May 2017, 03:55 PM

Hi guys, so just an update, I took the watch into a couple of jewellers yesterday and they have confirmed that it's tarnished, they said it's maybe came into contact with aftershave or something! I was advised to buy an advanced jewellery cleaner, which i did, and it should take the discolouring off! I would have used it last night but couldn't get near it for the Mrs cleaning her engagement ring! 😤 I will update when I'm done, will try it out tonight

cammywatson033 · 3 June 2017, 05:45 AM

Well the jewellery cleaner didn't make a difference! Taking it into another jewellers to try get it professionally cleaned!

R.W.T. · 3 June 2017, 07:14 PM

Did you get the bezel off?

If you have the bezel off. Use Coin Cleaner. Go to a local coin shop and get some "dip". If that's too difficult go to the grocery store and get some silver dip...that you one dip your silverware in to remove the tarnish.

Dip it in that...have an old tooth brush to work the stuff down in to the engine turned reeded part. Rinse it off super well with warm water. Then maybe clean it well with palmolive or dawn to make sure you get the dip off but really it shouldn't be an issue. It's made to rinse off with water.

Then snap it back on the watch.

29 May 2017, 09:24 PM	#1
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Help needed, please Hi guys, I wrote on here a little while back about suspected dirt on the bezel of my 1977 date just turn o graph. I was told to try clean it with a small toothbrush and soapy water. Before I tried cleaning it I took it into a couple of upmarket jewellers in my area and they all told me it was dirt and it just needed cleaning. I only wore the watch once or twice before I started to notice this 'dirt' on the bezel so was confused as to how it got so dirty. Anyway, I tried cleaning it but to no avail, fast forward a few months (I haven't worn the watch in this time) and it seems to be spreading, not only that, it seems to be changing colour, it's going a kind of rainbow pattern, the same kind of look when petrol or oil is put on water. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening and what I have to do to fix it, I'm scared it's going to cost a fortune to correct or that it completely ruins my watch. Any help at all would be appreciated.

30 May 2017, 05:29 AM	#8
saskmh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 1,027	Richard and Andromeda have it right... it's just the tarnishing of the alloy (usually the copper) in the gold. __________________ RCN (Canadian) Tudor Milsub database co-manager

29 May 2017, 09:33 PM	#2
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,735	It's tough trying to answer your question without seeing a picture. All I can add is that you pop the bezel and clean under it. If you have never done this, a watchmaker can do it fairly quickly..

29 May 2017, 11:22 PM	#3
Sky21 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: USA Posts: 885	Pictures will really help diagnose your problem. Also, if you have a Rolex AD in your area they might be able to give you some help as well.

30 May 2017, 12:47 AM	#4
andromeda160 Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Greg Location: michigan Watch: Rolex Oyster Posts: 4,046	I've seen gold bezels change colors. It's usually to do with what's mixed in the gold. Occasionally the brass, bronze or copper will oxidize and change the color

30 May 2017, 02:15 AM	#5
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Thanks for the reply guys. I've tried to get some photos but the iPhone camera isn't the greatest, I'll try dog out my digital camera and get some that way. I phoned a 'Laings' jewellers in my area and the service department have asked me to take it into them tomorrow. I hope it's an easy fix, I literally have no idea why it's doing this

30 May 2017, 02:33 AM	#6
Njtster "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 58	Mold?

30 May 2017, 05:00 AM	#7
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	It's tarnish from the metals used in the 14k. Copper is the worst culprit. It's just patina my friend, use the watch and it will go away.

30 May 2017, 08:25 AM	#9
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Thanks guys, so will a jeweller be able to polish it out?

30 May 2017, 08:30 AM	#10
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Also, is it possible to pop the bezel off to clean it?

30 May 2017, 10:11 AM	#11
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	Why don't you wear the watch?

30 May 2017, 10:29 AM	#12
goldfixer21 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 807	Find a jeweler that uses a Speedbrite cleaner, it does wonders on tarnish like that, and only takes about a minute

30 May 2017, 05:32 PM	#13
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Ok, I'll seek out a jeweller that has this, thanks. I keep it as a good watch, I have another day to say watch, this is for special occasions

31 May 2017, 03:55 PM	#15
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Hi guys, so just an update, I took the watch into a couple of jewellers yesterday and they have confirmed that it's tarnished, they said it's maybe came into contact with aftershave or something! I was advised to buy an advanced jewellery cleaner, which i did, and it should take the discolouring off! I would have used it last night but couldn't get near it for the Mrs cleaning her engagement ring! 😤 I will update when I'm done, will try it out tonight

3 June 2017, 05:45 AM	#16
cammywatson033 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 29	Well the jewellery cleaner didn't make a difference! Taking it into another jewellers to try get it professionally cleaned!

3 June 2017, 07:14 PM	#17
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,004	Did you get the bezel off? If you have the bezel off. Use Coin Cleaner. Go to a local coin shop and get some "dip". If that's too difficult go to the grocery store and get some silver dip...that you one dip your silverware in to remove the tarnish. Dip it in that...have an old tooth brush to work the stuff down in to the engine turned reeded part. Rinse it off super well with warm water. Then maybe clean it well with palmolive or dawn to make sure you get the dip off but really it shouldn't be an issue. It's made to rinse off with water. Then snap it back on the watch.

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