Cleaning watch dials

A

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ansoa-66

·May 4, 2023

Hello everyone,

I would like to some help regarding watch dial cleaning. How does everyone do it?
I know that there will be people saying "you should not clean the watches because they show age" and I agree until a certain point. But when it comes to dials with uneven patina and dirty I just want to clean them for sure.
Is there any product out there?

Thanks

 

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X350 XJR

·May 4, 2023·Vintage Omega Aficionado

One tip, don't.

 

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Bing813

·May 4, 2023

Leave it to the professionals my friend…….I have ruined more than a few 🙁

 

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gbesq

·May 4, 2023

It's an easy process. Just make sure that you have sufficient funds available to replace the watch that you're about to destroy.

 

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NGO1

·May 4, 2023

Piece of cake. Don’t listen to the folks above.
1) So first, open up the watch,
2) Then clean the dial.

That’s it. Just 2 easy steps.
Photos below.

Edited: May 4, 2023

 

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Bruce235

·May 4, 2023

On a serious note, the dirt and patina is not on top waiting to be cleaned, but is the top coating that has changed colour or stained.
Think about cleaning a butterfly wing.

 

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watchyouwant

·May 4, 2023

A ansoa-66

Hello everyone,

I would like to some help regarding watch dial cleaning. How does everyone do it?
I know that there will be people saying "you should not clean the watches because they show age" and I agree until a certain point. But when it comes to dials with uneven patina and dirty I just want to clean them for sure.
Is there any product out there?

Thanks

Pictures might help in your quest to achieve the brave undertaking. Which movement is it ? We always buy movements/some cases for Spares after your endeavours.... So, let's the Games begin !

 

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lucian23

·May 5, 2023

A ansoa-66

How does everyone do it?

I am pretty sure not "everyone" do it 😀 I also think not "every" watchmaker can do it.

 

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Davidt

·May 5, 2023

It’s not just that it reduces originality, it’s the fact that in the process of cleaning, it’s highly likely that the dial body/text will be damaged/removed.

 

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JimInOz

·May 5, 2023·Melbourne Australia

Some dials can easily be cleaned with a brush and dish detergent, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with saliva and a soft swab, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with in jewellery dip, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with distilled water, and some dials can't.

 

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p4ul

·May 5, 2023

JimInOz

Some dials can easily be cleaned with a brush and dish detergent, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with saliva and a soft swab, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with in jewellery dip, and some dials can't.
Some dials can easily be cleaned with distilled water, and some dials can't.

Some dials can easily be cleaned with a dremel, and shine brightly, and some dials can’t.

 

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STANDY

·May 5, 2023·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Some dials will, some dials won't
Some dials need a lot of lovin' and some dials don't
Well, I know I've got the fever but I don't know why
Some say they will and some dials lie

😁😁

 

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BLOW UP

·May 5, 2023

Be very very very very careful..
This guy made a super helpful video, so I'm putting it up for anyone interested:

 

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Bing813

·May 5, 2023

BLOW UP

Be very very very very careful..
This guy made a super helpful video, so I'm putting it up for anyone interested:

Love this channel and subscribed a while ago. Great tutorial help

 

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Bing813

·May 5, 2023

Every video gets a shot of espresso first

 

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tamura

·May 5, 2023

Ok, here is an old post of mine - but the best I'll tell you later....
https://omegaforums.net/threads/somehow-it-worked-dial-cleaning.27758/

 

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Archer

·May 5, 2023·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

A ansoa-66

Hello everyone,

I would like to some help regarding watch dial cleaning. How does everyone do it?
I know that there will be people saying "you should not clean the watches because they show age" and I agree until a certain point. But when it comes to dials with uneven patina and dirty I just want to clean them for sure.
Is there any product out there?

Thanks

You should only attempt to clean a dial, if you are prepared to destroy it.

 

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nkhandekar

·May 5, 2023

Having spent more than a few hours fixing paintings that the owners did not initially want to pay to have cleaned (I remember one picture where the owner was chasing a signature only to clean down to the canvas), I can advise that you should leave it to experienced professionals.

 

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PlainVanilla

·May 5, 2023

BLOW UP

Be very very very very careful..
This guy made a super helpful video, so I'm putting it up for anyone interested:

I, too, have a very instructive video about watch dials cleaning:

 

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BLOW UP

·May 5, 2023

PlainVanilla

I, too, have a very instructive video about watch dials cleaning:

Such an austere expression on Whistler's Mother's face makes this even funnier.