Cleaning balance complete

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ZWD

·Mar 3, 2026

Hello,

i've seem quite a few people talk through cleaning balance complete installed into the main plate vs seperate and I was curious if I could get some clarity on the matter.

I have a L&R master and it can spin the cleaning basket at quite a rate - and I cant help but think from the balance perspective and how violent it would be with spinning up to ~1000 RPM or more and oscillating directions for the hairspring.

I am assuming people that clean them in place are not disconnecting the hairspring from the balance cock?

Thanks for any discussion on this matter!

Best,
ZWD

 

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JimInOz

·Mar 3, 2026·Melbourne Australia

I always fit the balance back onto the plate and then remove the upper and lower jewel sets.

Maybe the additional friction (sans jewels) reduces harmful movement in the cleaning machine.

I use an Elma Solvex which is one direction wash/spin, spin speed is approximately 900 RPM.

 

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ZWD

·Mar 3, 2026

Using a single wash direction does seem to alleviate the "concerns" I'm thinking of. I'm novice to all this but just trying to think out loud 😀
Thanks for your response JimInOz!

 

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Archer

·Mar 3, 2026·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

My machine oscillates in both directions and it’s fine. Nothing to worry about.

 

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ZWD

·Mar 3, 2026

thank you for your response Archer, greatly appreciated as always.

 

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Canuck

·Mar 3, 2026

I clean in an ultrasonic machine using L &R Extra Fine chemical based solution. In an L & R centrigulal machine, I spin the cleaning solution off (moderate rpm’s), then two rinses in L &R rinsing solution, spin to remove the solution, then heat dry in the L& R centrifugal machine. A watch that has no removable balance jewels, the balance wheel comes out and cleaned separately. If you use a centrifugal machine to clean, rinse, or dry at high speed, then hit the reverse button, best of luck! There will come a time you’ll be in for a world of hurt!

 

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lenndon

·Mar 5, 2026

Inside the fluid, I wouldn’t worry about the change of direction, since the momentum is dampened by the surrounding liquid. Once the drying process begins, I switch to a unidirectional spin.

 

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ZWD

·Mar 12, 2026

thanks for the responses everyone!
will be very respectful of that reverse switch 😀

 

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vanjuxa

·Tues. 2:00pm

the main reason why most people fit balance back on plate is to prevent damage on hairspring

If you got enough time and skills to find your own way please go ahead