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GuiltyGear
·@JimInOz have you found, in case you've run tests, any difference in cleaning quality between suspending the bracelet in a wire and just letting it sit at the bottom of the cup?
Ultrasonic cleaning
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redpcar
·Another question: do the transducers wear out? I have a Bulova buzz bomb that is probably 60+ years old. Loud as hell. Also have a newer baby L&R. The Bulova seems to clean better (don't reach in before you turn it off) but maybe it's mental as it's 3X as loud.
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Dan S
·I like to use a non sudsing soap like liquinox, which I'm familiar with from cleaning things in the lab, but it's pretty expensive. I use just a tiny bit, so even a small container would be a lifetime supply for watch related cleaning.
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JimInOz
··Melbourne Australia@JimInOz have you found, in case you've run tests, any difference in cleaning quality between suspending the bracelet in a wire and just letting it sit at the bottom of the cup?
Suspending it also allows all round cavitation as the bracelet isn't folded in a heap on the bottom of the cup.
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ErichKeane
·Another question: do the transducers wear out? I have a Bulova buzz bomb that is probably 60+ years old. Loud as hell. Also have a newer baby L&R. The Bulova seems to clean better (don't reach in before you turn it off) but maybe it's mental as it's 3X as loud.
Also, the drivers themselves are way better. The one in my L&R was noisy (both audibly and signal wise), and the modern ones did a way better feedback cycle.
What I learned was the quality of cleaningof a 1970s/80s US cleaner was garbage compared to cheap modern stuff.
Horn design for example was basically non existent until CAD sims got good in the 90s
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502 to right
·I don't have anything to add on ultra-sonic cleaners other than don't put the head in the cleaner ever--even on a little stand that goes outside the water.
As for springbar tools, please do yourself a favor and get a Bergeon 7825 tweezers like the one below. Extra fine tips (1.0mm) so it will fit the Rolex.
Watch some videos on YouTube and practice on some cheap watches you likely have. Tape the lugs on the Rolex and the Omega so you don't accidentally scratch them.
The tool is expensive but so are your watches. Use the right tool. Standard springbars do not work well on end links that are finely machined. You really need to squeeze both sides at the same time to get them out on the Rolex. Less necessary with the Omega but it still works great.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-7825-spring-bar-tweezers/
As for springbar tools, please do yourself a favor and get a Bergeon 7825 tweezers like the one below. Extra fine tips (1.0mm) so it will fit the Rolex.
Watch some videos on YouTube and practice on some cheap watches you likely have. Tape the lugs on the Rolex and the Omega so you don't accidentally scratch them.
The tool is expensive but so are your watches. Use the right tool. Standard springbars do not work well on end links that are finely machined. You really need to squeeze both sides at the same time to get them out on the Rolex. Less necessary with the Omega but it still works great.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-7825-spring-bar-tweezers/
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ErichKeane
·I don't have anything to add on ultra-sonic cleaners other than don't put the head in the cleaner ever--even on a little stand that goes outside the water.
As for springbar tools, please do yourself a favor and get a Bergeon 7825 tweezers like the one below. Extra fine tips (1.0mm) so it will fit the Rolex.
Watch some videos on YouTube and practice on some cheap watches you likely have. Tape the lugs on the Rolex and the Omega so you don't accidentally scratch them.
The tool is expensive but so are your watches. Use the right tool. Standard springbars do not work well on end links that are finely machined. You really need to squeeze both sides at the same time to get them out on the Rolex. Less necessary with the Omega but it still works great.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-7825-spring-bar-tweezers/
1- Vibrating water/bubbles past the seals. This is obviously plausible, but since you included 'even on a little stand that goes outside the water', I presume you're not worried about this part?
2- Frequency can mess with the balance spring. THIS I think is absolute bupkiss, every watchmaker these days end up ultrasonic cleaning the balance spring. I think if this was a concern, we'd not have them do that.
Re the bracelet removal: yeah, I'd suggest using capton tape (its an electronics tape that just ends up being really thick/durable to metal). I LIKE the 7825 tool (and do NOT buy the knock-offs, they are terrible), but end up reaching for just a cheap tool every time these days. For some reason it is a bit of a "rub your belly and touch your head" kinda thing with that tool.
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502 to right
·Curious as to this suggestion? The two concerns I see online about ultrasonic-cleaning teh 'head' of the watch are:
1- Vibrating water/bubbles past the seals. This is obviously plausible, but since you included 'even on a little stand that goes outside the water', I presume you're not worried about this part?
2- Frequency can mess with the balance spring. THIS I think is absolute bupkiss, every watchmaker these days end up ultrasonic cleaning the balance spring. I think if this was a concern, we'd not have them do that.
Re the bracelet removal: yeah, I'd suggest using capton tape (its an electronics tape that just ends up being really thick/durable to metal). I LIKE the 7825 tool (and do NOT buy the knock-offs, they are terrible), but end up reaching for just a cheap tool every time these days. For some reason it is a bit of a "rub your belly and touch your head" kinda thing with that tool.
I don't like the stands because the end links need to be cleaned as well and those usually sit outside the water.
Edited:
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ErichKeane
·I see no need to put a watch head in the water. Why would you take the chance of an unexpected water intrusion? You can wipe the head down just as easily.
I don't like the stands because the end links need to be cleaned as well and those usually sit outside the water.
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Felix_La_PuBelle
·Loving the transducer learnings here.
I use the dish soap that they use to clean the oily duckies. Quack quack.
I use the dish soap that they use to clean the oily duckies. Quack quack.
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tjs1295
·All great advice. I went with a metal cleaner (instead of plastic), and splurged for the Bergeon 7825. Just waiting for them to arrive. And yes, I know the watch head shouldn't be placed in the cleaner. I'll experiment with different solutions, but Dawn and Simple Green are things I already have, and will be a good start.
Edited:
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ErichKeane
·All great advice. I went with a metal cleaner (instead of plastic), and splurged for the Bergeon 7825. Just waiting for them to arrive. And yes, I know the watch head shouldn't be placed in the cleaner. I'll experiment with different solutions, but Dawn and Simple Green are things I already have, and will be a good start.
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Tekashi_145.022
·FYI, I had the expandable “push” button on my SMP 300M clasp break in my GemOro ultrasonic cleaner; it would no longer push down after it came out. My Tokyo Olympic Speedmaster “push” button had no issues at all and was cleaned at the same time, though. Neither clasp or bracelet was very dirty.
I have never seen anyone else’s adjustable clasp break in an ultrasonic - maybe I’m the only one, but wanted to share.
I have never seen anyone else’s adjustable clasp break in an ultrasonic - maybe I’m the only one, but wanted to share.
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Pastorbottle
·FYI, I had the expandable “push” button on my SMP 300M clasp break in my GemOro ultrasonic cleaner; it would no longer push down after it came out. My Tokyo Olympic Speedmaster “push” button had no issues at all and was cleaned at the same time, though. Neither clasp or bracelet was very dirty.
I have never seen anyone else’s adjustable clasp break in an ultrasonic - maybe I’m the only one, but wanted to share.
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reverbtime
·Here's before/after of a 40-year old NOS Seiko bracelet I put in the ultrasonic.
Thought it was rust and would not be removed, but 180 seconds in a cheap ultrasonic with some dish soap made it look brand new.
Thought it was rust and would not be removed, but 180 seconds in a cheap ultrasonic with some dish soap made it look brand new.
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Pastorbottle
·Here's before/after of a 40-year old NOS Seiko bracelet I put in the ultrasonic.
Thought it was rust and would not be removed, but 180 seconds in a cheap ultrasonic with some dish soap made it look brand new.
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tjs1295
·That reminds me, how long should the bracelets be in the cleaner?
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ErichKeane
·
My machine defaults to 5 mins so that is fine. If you take it out and it is still dirty, run it again 😀
The heater helps too, I usually do 50-60C, which is cool enough to not really negatively affect anything, but softens dirt/etc well.
The heater helps too, I usually do 50-60C, which is cool enough to not really negatively affect anything, but softens dirt/etc well.
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tjs1295
·Thank you!
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