How to clean YG Rolex with major Patina

[ajh77]

Recently I purchased an unpolished 18238 with major patina on the bracelet, etc, which I want to preserve as much as possible.

How would you recommend I clean the watch but preserve this patina ?

A little Dawn and warm water quickly and rinse ? My main goal of cleaning is to keep the bracelet in the best condition I can.

Thank you.

[cdmorenot]

Toothbrush, Dawn.

[Ferrari GTO]

If it's oxidation rather than dirt many people like it - it's a sign of the watch being untouched

[jgottsman11]

Can we see photos or a link?

[ajh77]

That patina is what I want to preserve.

[fsprow]

Can’t see many scratches (patina) but looks like the bracelet is getting a bit loose. To mitigate this I take the bracelet off the case and give it an ultrasonic cleaning yearly.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Can’t see many scratches (patina) but looks like the bracelet is getting a bit loose. To mitigate this I take the bracelet off the case and give it an ultrasonic cleaning yearly.

Doesn't look to bad from that picture, you mean the links slightly left of the center?

[jgottsman11]

If you bought the watch from Jacek nice watch. I was considering that one.

Wearing the watch is going to expose it to the elements and will likely revert the oxidation and purpling on the bracelet. Wear the watch and from seeing your previous threads, stress less and wear more.

[ajh77]

Bracelet is very tight… almost no stretch
Thank you for the replies so a little Dawn is a ok and won’t take off the amazing patina.

[huncho]

soap and water isn't gonna wash off patina. you probably need some kind of chemicals for that, or a polish, so just wash it and enjoy

[thesharkfactor]

I’d need that to be yellow again, too orange.

[ATLSFO]

To me patina means scratches from wear. The discoloration that I see is what I would call oxidation.

[77T]

Patina is a film on the surface produced by oxidation on the surface and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.

It is not scratching that produces patina.

I would not use a toothbrush or anything beyond an ultrasonic.


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[Tools]

"Patina" in this case is oxidation and not indicative of a well-maintained Day Date. It is not really gentle aging of the precious metals, but an environmental attack of the other metals mixed with them, more tarnish than patina.

If you clean it, you are going to remove the dirt and and most of the oxides/tarnish. If you like the look then leave it alone. Even wiping it down with a microfiber cloth is going to remove this surface discoloration.

[physicist]

Originally Posted by ATLSFO

To me patina means scratches from wear. The discoloration that I see is what I would call oxidation.

Patina and oxidation are equivalent

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by ATLSFO

To me patina means scratches from wear. The discoloration that I see is what I would call oxidation.

Wrong interpretation of patina

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Can’t see many scratches (patina) but looks like the bracelet is getting a bit loose. To mitigate this I take the bracelet off the case and give it an ultrasonic cleaning yearly.

Wow really? Patina is not scratches

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by Tools

"Patina" in this case is oxidation and not indicative of a well-maintained Day Date. It is not really gentle aging of the precious metals, but an environmental attack of the other metals mixed with them, more tarnish than patina.



If you clean it, you are going to remove the dirt and and most of the oxides/tarnish. If you like the look then leave it alone. Even wiping it down with a microfiber cloth is going to remove this surface discoloration.

Incorrect. My dad has a a similar 1989 5 digit day date. He didn’t wear it much and stored it a lot. I serviced it last year. They ultra probably steamed it. I washed it with soap and it still has this rose gold hue. Real patina. Don’t worry you can clean it and it won’t lose that color unless you polish it.
He gave it to my mom now. It still has its beautiful color.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Tools

"Patina" in this case is oxidation and not indicative of a well-maintained Day Date. It is not really gentle aging of the precious metals, but an environmental attack of the other metals mixed with them, more tarnish than patina.

If you clean it, you are going to remove the dirt and and most of the oxides/tarnish. If you like the look then leave it alone. Even wiping it down with a microfiber cloth is going to remove this surface discoloration.

Sorry Larry, but you won't remove oxidation/tarnish by simply washing and wiping down, unless you introduce an abrasive (no matter how mild) to the process.

All washing and wiping down will remove is dust, dirt and other surface particles.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by physicist

Patina and oxidation are equivalent

Originally Posted by jtorrebl

Wrong interpretation of patina

In fairness, whilst patina technically refers to colour or appearance changes over time due to oxidation/chemical changes in the surface of the metal, it is also widely accepted in its use when referring to changes in appearance due to wear from use, so wear marks over time could be referred to as patina too.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Devildog

In fairness, whilst patina technically refers to colour or appearance changes over time due to oxidation/chemical changes in the surface of the metal, it is also widely accepted in its use when referring to changes in appearance due to wear from use, so wear marks over time could be referred to as patina too.

Patina IS oxidation.

All that other stuff (dings, scratches, dents, rust, and rot) is "character".

Calling that patina is usually done as a jovial reference point...

Like that Porsche sure has patina!



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[brome]

Just shower with it daily. The hot water will keep it nice and grime free. Especially in the upcoming sweaty months.

[David5807]

I think the only thing that you can do to remove the patina is to give it a light polish, which I would not.

[miamiclay]

I think patina is on gold is generally considered oxidation (ofc rust is oxidation too …), though I wouldn’t balk at calling a whole sheen of microscratches by the term.

Rolex has changed their alloys repeatedly, and every watch has been used and exposed or stored differently (e.g., some surprises from hot tub chemicals). I doubt your patina would change with much short of a polish, even an ultrasonic cleaner. It may be more likely that you sleeve polish the high bits. It won’t hurt to try things on an inconspicuous spot first.

As we’re talking patina, this thread deserves a pic of the (Dark) Star!
.

[Danishtext]

Originally Posted by Tools

"Patina" in this case is oxidation and not indicative of a well-maintained Day Date. It is not really gentle aging of the precious metals, but an environmental attack of the other metals mixed with them, more tarnish than patina.

If you clean it, you are going to remove the dirt and and most of the oxides/tarnish. If you like the look then leave it alone. Even wiping it down with a microfiber cloth is going to remove this surface discoloration.

This is correct. Gold is a noble metal and resistant to corrosion and oxidation. That is why gold is so desirable. Rolex uses 18 Karat gold, which is 75% gold mixed with 25%. It is the 25% other metal that gets tarnished.

I thought patina refers to change of the appearance of the dial due to UV from sun light.

[jgottsman11]

I see the watch in reference is for sale again. What was the deciding factor that led you to not purchase this one?

[BNA/LION]

I used to just use soap and warm water on my 36 mm DD. It cleaned it well and patina stayed wonderful.