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saxo3 · 15 April 2023, 07:17 AM

Just learned something interesting (to me) about escapement lubricant RL-2, from an article published in 2012:

Rolex RL-2 is proprietary escapement grease developed by Rolex. Prior to RL-2, two different lubricants, which will be discussed next, were necessary to lubricate watches that ran at either a low or high frequency (Figure). Moebius 941 was tailored to low-beat calibers, while its thixotropic alternative, Moebius 9415, was created specifically for high-beat watches. Rolex RL2 replaces both of these lubricants as a stable, high-performance, escapement grease.

Figure: Rolex RL-2 escapement grease eliminates the need for two lubricants.

RL-2, like Moebius 9415, is a thixotropic grease. In simple language, this means the grease liquifies (becomes less viscous) and becomes more slippery when hit with force. Thus, when a tooth of the escape wheel comes quickly into contact with the pallet fork, the grease adapts to the force and helps to provide a smooth, near frictionless surface for the escape wheel tooth to glide across. RL-2 has a more uniform consistency than Moebius 9415 and displays excellent staying power on epilame-treated surfaces. It offers all of the benefits of 9415, while still allowing enough "give" to be suitable for use on low-beat calibers where Moebius 941 would otherwise be necessary.

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From an interesting TRF contribution by shofzr in 2014:

To me this is the most fascinating lubrication, as it seems to have two "personalities" the first is a grease that sticks where it is applied, the second, when pressure is applied to it from the escape wheel tooth striking the pallet stones is becomes a thin oil, after the pressure is gone it's back to grease state.

If the RL2 is applied incorrect to the pallet stones the watch will only run a few months before amplitude drops and timing becomes erratic.

Because as the escape wheel tooth passes through the RL2 a tiny amount gets pushed to the sides and eventually there is not enough where it needs to be.

You can see in this picture the "groove" in the RL2 from the escape wheel teeth passing through the bead applied to the pallet stone. This is only after a few hours of running, in a few months it will be all but dry.

15 April 2023, 07:17 AM	#3922
saxo3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: . Posts: 2,742	32xx movement problem poll and data thread Just learned something interesting (to me) about escapement lubricant RL-2, from an article published in 2012: Rolex RL-2 is proprietary escapement grease developed by Rolex. Prior to RL-2, two different lubricants, which will be discussed next, were necessary to lubricate watches that ran at either a low or high frequency (Figure). Moebius 941 was tailored to low-beat calibers, while its thixotropic alternative, Moebius 9415, was created specifically for high-beat watches. Rolex RL2 replaces both of these lubricants as a stable, high-performance, escapement grease. Figure: Rolex RL-2 escapement grease eliminates the need for two lubricants. RL-2, like Moebius 9415, is a thixotropic grease. In simple language, this means the grease liquifies (becomes less viscous) and becomes more slippery when hit with force. Thus, when a tooth of the escape wheel comes quickly into contact with the pallet fork, the grease adapts to the force and helps to provide a smooth, near frictionless surface for the escape wheel tooth to glide across. RL-2 has a more uniform consistency than Moebius 9415 and displays excellent staying power on epilame-treated surfaces. It offers all of the benefits of 9415, while still allowing enough "give" to be suitable for use on low-beat calibers where Moebius 941 would otherwise be necessary. --------------- From an interesting TRF contribution by shofzr in 2014: To me this is the most fascinating lubrication, as it seems to have two "personalities" the first is a grease that sticks where it is applied, the second, when pressure is applied to it from the escape wheel tooth striking the pallet stones is becomes a thin oil, after the pressure is gone it's back to grease state. If the RL2 is applied incorrect to the pallet stones the watch will only run a few months before amplitude drops and timing becomes erratic. Because as the escape wheel tooth passes through the RL2 a tiny amount gets pushed to the sides and eventually there is not enough where it needs to be. You can see in this picture the "groove" in the RL2 from the escape wheel teeth passing through the bead applied to the pallet stone. This is only after a few hours of running, in a few months it will be all but dry.