Budget Watch Parts Cleaning Setup for Beginners

Endshake · Apr 22, 2026

Hello guys!

Since 3 years i‘m now in hobby watchmaking. And cleaning the parts was my weak Point. I would like to Show you my setup and maybe motivate beginners like me. On the Pictures you can see before and After on a 752 Movement im currently working on.

Endshake · Apr 22, 2026

Canuck · Apr 22, 2026

Cleaning the Incabloc balance wheel hole jewel and cap jewel assemblies still in place in the pillar plate and balance cock? Gee, I’ll have to try that! What procedure do you use to rinse and dry the parts? Using a water based cleaning concentrate and rinsing in water? I won’t bother commenting on your processes!

ErichKeane · Apr 22, 2026

I actually started with exactly that setup. I found that it did a pretty good job until those spinny jars failed. I was using the L&R Fluids, plus a few other steps for drying at the time, which made a big difference (particularly the cleaning fluid).

As far as cleaning with the balance jewels in place: i do this 😁 I realize many say to remove them, but I had it damage the balance staff 2x, so now I don't. I find that the cleaning fluid gets into the jewels 'well enough' that the stems are cleaned, and when I pull the jewels to epilam them, they are typically super clean.

Endshake · Apr 23, 2026

I forgot to mention.

First rinse with water and dish soap
Second short rinse in IPA

And then i open up the mesh basket and hold on it with a hair blower to dry.

lenndon · Apr 23, 2026

Endshake

Would wish you were wearing gloves when touching the mainplate after cleaning 😄
otherwise looks like a job well done.

ErichKeane
As far as cleaning with the balance jewels in place: i do this 😁 I realize many say to remove them, but I had it damage the balance staff 2x, so now I don't.

I always remove the cap jewels before the cleaning machine and never had a balance staff damaged, but now you got me thinking..

Endshake · Apr 23, 2026

I normaly wear gloves of course😄. For me the Problem with the cap jewels is that i find it hard to Open up the spring when there is no jewel inside. I once broke the spring in a Omega ladies cal. And i had to completely disaasemble the balance bridge to reinstall a new spring…
Since then i do it like this

ErichKeane · Apr 23, 2026

Endshake
I normaly wear gloves of course😄. For me the Problem with the cap jewels is that i find it hard to Open up the spring when there is no jewel inside. I once broke the spring in a Omega ladies cal. And i had to completely disaasemble the balance bridge to reinstall a new spring…
Since then i do it like this

Oh, thats right! I did have a spring open itself during cleaning once and snap off. I forgot about that one! With it under tension, the spin + ultrasonic opened it I suspect.

I don't have the above problem (if you take a REALLY small oiler, you just poke the side of the spring in an in/up angle and it'll pop open), but I did have one open and break in the machine.

Also a lady's watch funny enough.

Canuck · Apr 23, 2026

The type of shock resist balance jewel spring that is hinged (Incabloc, KIF) should be returned to a secure position after the jewels are removed for cleaning. No damage to the spring. After decades of cleaning watches with the balance wheel in place, but with jewels removed, and shock spring secured, I have never had a problem.

ErichKeane · Apr 23, 2026

Canuck
The type of shock resist balance jewel spring that is hinged (Incabloc, KIF) should be returned to a secure position after the jewels are removed for cleaning. No damage to the spring. After decades of cleaning watches with the balance wheel in place, but with jewels removed, and shock spring secured, I have never had a problem.

Its not supposed to.... But I am saying I DID have a problem on a ladies watch, a 684 (or so) if I recall correctly (It MIGHT have been the Tissot 709 though...). It managed to come out of the cleaning machine with only 1/2 of it attached to the movement.

lightweight · May 16, 2026

Looking to get into watch repair as I desperately need a hobby to distract me from my soul sucking corporate gig. Could you give me a little info on the jar you are using here? Seems like a treat and would be more than sufficient for my cleaning needs.

Thanks!

Endshake · May 17, 2026

Unfortunately i don’t know the jar. Its definetely not an european jar. It came with the cleaning machine. But i think its better to pay 50 bugs more for the chronoclean. It has metal mesh basket that are more durable.

ErichKeane · May 17, 2026

lightweight
Looking to get into watch repair as I desperately need a hobby to distract me from my soul sucking corporate gig. Could you give me a little info on the jar you are using here? Seems like a treat and would be more than sufficient for my cleaning needs.

Thanks!

Do not get those electric spinny jars, they are awful. They are form aliexpress/ebay/etc, but they fail VERY often, and frankly, don't spin fast enough to be particularly effective.

Budget Watch Parts Cleaning Setup for Beginners

Endshake

Endshake

Canuck

ErichKeane

Endshake

lenndon

Endshake

ErichKeane

Canuck

ErichKeane

lightweight

Endshake

ErichKeane

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