Watch cleaning
Watch cleaning
How do you clean your watches (without straps)? Only with cloth, with water, soap, any cleaning detergent,...?
What about watches with rotating bezel, between bezel and case, some serious dirt can pile up in there and unfortunately you can't take bezel off. Maybe with toothpick?
And bracelet, between links, do you take whole bracelet apart and clean each link separately?
Maybe use ultrasonic cleaner for bracelets, I guess for cases with movements inside isn't recommended.
What about watches with rotating bezel, between bezel and case, some serious dirt can pile up in there and unfortunately you can't take bezel off. Maybe with toothpick?
And bracelet, between links, do you take whole bracelet apart and clean each link separately?
Maybe use ultrasonic cleaner for bracelets, I guess for cases with movements inside isn't recommended.
- PaulWB
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Re: Watch cleaning
I tend to use the CWL cloth to keep my watches clean (or Selvyt cloth which is similar).
For the difficult corners (between lugs and edges around dials). I use a silicone tool which is meant for cleaning computers as it gets into tight corners and doesn't mark. It has a brush at one end and a pointed silicone end that I use for watches.
If you have a brushed finish, a gentle go with a Bergeon 5444A satin finish bar will bring the surface back nice and even.
If you have polished surfaces, you can use Cape Cod cloths.
I also use an ultrasonic cleaner for bracelets.
Paul
For the difficult corners (between lugs and edges around dials). I use a silicone tool which is meant for cleaning computers as it gets into tight corners and doesn't mark. It has a brush at one end and a pointed silicone end that I use for watches.
If you have a brushed finish, a gentle go with a Bergeon 5444A satin finish bar will bring the surface back nice and even.
If you have polished surfaces, you can use Cape Cod cloths.
I also use an ultrasonic cleaner for bracelets.
Paul
C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C8, C9, C11, W6, C7/C70, 2009 FLE, 2012 FLE Red, 2013 FLE, 2015 FLE, C9 JH2, C900 WT
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Member CWL Double Figures Club
Re: Watch cleaning
Never cleaned a CWL bezel, but my Sub bezel got dirt under it and, if left long enough, made the bezel difficult to rotate. Cleaned it in running water and spinning the bezel till it was free.
Gregory
- gaf1958
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Re: Watch cleaning
That's the method I've usually used. Sometimes I've had to resort to removing the bezel, but that hasn't been too common for me.Psalty wrote:Never cleaned a CWL bezel, but my Sub bezel got dirt under it and, if left long enough, made the bezel difficult to rotate. Cleaned it in running water and spinning the bezel till it was free.
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Re: Watch cleaning
How does a CW bezel remove?gaf1958 wrote:That's the method I've usually used. Sometimes I've had to resort to removing the bezel, but that hasn't been too common for me.Psalty wrote:Never cleaned a CWL bezel, but my Sub bezel got dirt under it and, if left long enough, made the bezel difficult to rotate. Cleaned it in running water and spinning the bezel till it was free.
Gregory
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Watch cleaning
Same way as they usually do, using a case knife. I prefer the wedge shaped ones where you can get the narrow sharp end in place, then twist.
However, with a ceramic bezel, which is tough and almost scratch-proof, they can easily crack when twisted slightly, so I'd use a bezel remover that I own. It has four angled blades which squeeze slowly into the gap between case and bezel so that it doesn't twist. Actually on a ceramic bezel I'd probably be hesitant to remove it unless it was really needed, the risk of cracking it may not be worth it.
However, with a ceramic bezel, which is tough and almost scratch-proof, they can easily crack when twisted slightly, so I'd use a bezel remover that I own. It has four angled blades which squeeze slowly into the gap between case and bezel so that it doesn't twist. Actually on a ceramic bezel I'd probably be hesitant to remove it unless it was really needed, the risk of cracking it may not be worth it.
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
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Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Re: Watch cleaning
How about an oyster knife?gaf1958 wrote:Same way as they usually do, using a case knife. I prefer the wedge shaped ones where you can get the narrow sharp end in place, then twist.
However, with a ceramic bezel, which is tough and almost scratch-proof, they can easily crack when twisted slightly, so I'd use a bezel remover that I own. It has four angled blades which squeeze slowly into the gap between case and bezel so that it doesn't twist. Actually on a ceramic bezel I'd probably be hesitant to remove it unless it was really needed, the risk of cracking it may not be worth it.
I was asking because I read a post in the For Sale section from someone who had bought a red bezel C60 600 and had been planning to use the bezel on another C60 600. According to his post, he realized it couldn't be done, which was why the watch was for sale. Perhaps I read the post wrong in some detail.
Gregory
Re: Watch cleaning
Soapy water & a toothbrush cleans most of the dirt out, Ideal for cleaning around bezels as well.perho wrote:How do you clean your watches (without straps)? Only with cloth, with water, soap, any cleaning detergent,...?
What about watches with rotating bezel, between bezel and case, some serious dirt can pile up in there and unfortunately you can't take bezel off. Maybe with toothpick?
And bracelet, between links, do you take whole bracelet apart and clean each link separately?
Maybe use ultrasonic cleaner for bracelets, I guess for cases with movements inside isn't recommended.
I use this method on my Sub & Seamaster plus my old Aquaracer, the bezels move quite nicely after a good clean & then a thorough wash with cold water.
Panerai Luminor GMT.
Omega Speedmaster Professional.
Tudor Pepsi GMT.
Tudor Harrods BB
Bremont ALT1 World Timer
C60 Trident MK3 GMT.
C60 Trident MK3 Tide.
Omega Speedmaster Professional.
Tudor Pepsi GMT.
Tudor Harrods BB
Bremont ALT1 World Timer
C60 Trident MK3 GMT.
C60 Trident MK3 Tide.
- gaf1958
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Re: Watch cleaning
Never done it on a 600, but the MkI works that way, as does the C6 Kingfisher.Psalty wrote:How about an oyster knife?
I was asking because I read a post in the For Sale section from someone who had bought a red bezel C60 600 and had been planning to use the bezel on another C60 600. According to his post, he realized it couldn't be done, which was why the watch was for sale. Perhaps I read the post wrong in some detail.
My view is if they can fit it, it can be removed. I think that the "can't be removed" mantra is a bit of urban myth that CW have come up with, as they don't want to get into the complexities of selling bezels as separate items and having people mess up the changes... and then sending them back to CW for fixing.
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
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Re: Watch cleaning
Chewing on the rationale behind this... Seems I read that one cannot order a bezel from CWL. Is that true?gaf1958 wrote:Never done it on a 600, but the MkI works that way, as does the C6 Kingfisher.Psalty wrote:How about an oyster knife?
I was asking because I read a post in the For Sale section from someone who had bought a red bezel C60 600 and had been planning to use the bezel on another C60 600. According to his post, he realized it couldn't be done, which was why the watch was for sale. Perhaps I read the post wrong in some detail.
My view is if they can fit it, it can be removed. I think that the "can't be removed" mantra is a bit of urban myth that CW have come up with, as they don't want to get into the complexities of selling bezels as separate items and having people mess up the changes... and then sending them back to CW for fixing.
Gregory
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Re: Watch cleaning
That is the 100% gospel truth. It's long been a point of contention with forum members; while it would be nice, CW are not alone in doing this. In addition CW will not swap your existing bezel to another colour either - only the original colour, and they only do it by re-casing the watch, not replacing the bezel. I guess this gives you a pristine result.Psalty wrote:Chewing on the rationale behind this... Seems I read that one cannot order a bezel from CWL. Is that true?
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
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Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
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Re: Watch cleaning
Refusing to swap out bezels, dials, and hands does give CWL control over its editions.gaf1958 wrote:That is the 100% gospel truth. It's long been a point of contention with forum members; while it would be nice, CW are not alone in doing this. In addition CW will not swap your existing bezel to another colour either - only the original colour, and they only do it by re-casing the watch, not replacing the bezel. I guess this gives you a pristine result.Psalty wrote:Chewing on the rationale behind this... Seems I read that one cannot order a bezel from CWL. Is that true?
But not replacing the bezel without a new case...
Gregory
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Re: Watch cleaning
To be fair, their prices for recasing are actually very reasonable...Psalty wrote:Refusing to swap out bezels, dials, and hands does give CWL control over its editions.gaf1958 wrote:That is the 100% gospel truth. It's long been a point of contention with forum members; while it would be nice, CW are not alone in doing this. In addition CW will not swap your existing bezel to another colour either - only the original colour, and they only do it by re-casing the watch, not replacing the bezel. I guess this gives you a pristine result.Psalty wrote:Chewing on the rationale behind this... Seems I read that one cannot order a bezel from CWL. Is that true?
But not replacing the bezel without a new case...
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Re: Watch cleaning
That's good to know but... why change the case? I understand keeping a lid on editions, but insisting on a new case for a rebezel (if I may use that term) is mystifying. I must be thinking about this the wrong way.gaf1958 wrote:
To be fair, their prices for recasing are actually very reasonable...
Gregory
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Watch cleaning
Ours is not to reason why... In other words, I don't know why either...
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
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