Lol-x
7 March 2009, 07:01 PM
Moebius being a Swiss Company seems to be the most widely regarding in the manufacture and supply of oils. Other countries also produce oil for watches, but in Swiss terms "Moebius" is #1.
Before the advent of synthetic oils all watchmakers used natural oils to lubricate watches. Natural watch oil is a mixture of neatsfoot and mineral oil. The disadvantage of using natural oils is that after a period of time in contact of metal, the oil changes chemically and forms a gummy substance.
The use of natural oils meant that movements were required to be serviced every 18 months or so.
58188
Moebius 8000 is the general purpose natural oil.
However, along came synthetic oils and the technology of those oils enabled the service intervals to be much greater extending to around 5-7 years. Synthetic oils have the advantage over natural oils, as they will not change over time, and will not gum up, cause corrosion and become acidic if left in a watch for many years without a cleaning of the movement.
The modern day general purpose oil used in Rolex watches is Moebius Synthetic Oil Synt-A-Lube 9010. This oil is known to be extremely resistant to deterioration, it does not thicken, or clog and it prevents gumming up. Also this oil does not tend to spread, and remains where it is applied for several years. It provides good lubrication until -29 degrees celsius.
Not something that you throw around at $22 for 2ml.
58185
In polar exploration or high altitude flying Moebius Synthetic Oil 9040 remains fluid until -52 degrees celsius.
58186
The examples above are but a small sample of a much greater range of lubricants (oils and greases) that are required to service a Rolex watch.
Below is an oiling chart for a 3035 movement. Note all the different oils and where they are to be placed on the various parts of the movement.
58187
In practice some watchmakers remcommend that all bottles of lubrcant be marked with the date of purchase and replaced every two years. Small amounts are used in oiling cups and changed every two weeks.
The application of oil to the various parts of the movement is a very precise and delicate operation, some parts require oil, some do not. This is one aspect of a watchmakers art that requires great skill and knowledge.
58189
Here is a close up of a Bergeon 7013 oiler tip, the indents assist to hold the oil on what is otherwise a very fine stainless steel electropolished tip.
58191
I've only just scratched the surface here on the issue of lubrication. I hope we can build on this to provide some real technical material on this topic.
Before the advent of synthetic oils all watchmakers used natural oils to lubricate watches. Natural watch oil is a mixture of neatsfoot and mineral oil. The disadvantage of using natural oils is that after a period of time in contact of metal, the oil changes chemically and forms a gummy substance.
The use of natural oils meant that movements were required to be serviced every 18 months or so.
58188
Moebius 8000 is the general purpose natural oil.
However, along came synthetic oils and the technology of those oils enabled the service intervals to be much greater extending to around 5-7 years. Synthetic oils have the advantage over natural oils, as they will not change over time, and will not gum up, cause corrosion and become acidic if left in a watch for many years without a cleaning of the movement.
The modern day general purpose oil used in Rolex watches is Moebius Synthetic Oil Synt-A-Lube 9010. This oil is known to be extremely resistant to deterioration, it does not thicken, or clog and it prevents gumming up. Also this oil does not tend to spread, and remains where it is applied for several years. It provides good lubrication until -29 degrees celsius.
Not something that you throw around at $22 for 2ml.
58185
In polar exploration or high altitude flying Moebius Synthetic Oil 9040 remains fluid until -52 degrees celsius.
58186
The examples above are but a small sample of a much greater range of lubricants (oils and greases) that are required to service a Rolex watch.
Below is an oiling chart for a 3035 movement. Note all the different oils and where they are to be placed on the various parts of the movement.
58187
In practice some watchmakers remcommend that all bottles of lubrcant be marked with the date of purchase and replaced every two years. Small amounts are used in oiling cups and changed every two weeks.
The application of oil to the various parts of the movement is a very precise and delicate operation, some parts require oil, some do not. This is one aspect of a watchmakers art that requires great skill and knowledge.
58189
Here is a close up of a Bergeon 7013 oiler tip, the indents assist to hold the oil on what is otherwise a very fine stainless steel electropolished tip.
58191
I've only just scratched the surface here on the issue of lubrication. I hope we can build on this to provide some real technical material on this topic.