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jaisonline · 24 October 2018, 12:55 AM

Lesson learnt. Clean your watches to avoid premature wear.

Like many, I buy mainly pre-owned SS Prof watches to either save the depreciation hit (not much a savings anymore in this era) or because a great model is no longer at retail. Picked up a M serial 16610T Sub 3 months ago. The case and 93250 bracelet didn't look like it was ever polished plus it was sparklingly clean. Not much steel wear (some call stretch) around the middle links. Felt tight as can be for a 5 digit SS Sub.

So I finally got around to do a quick cleaning last night for 6 removable links using a toothpick (don't own an ultrasonic cleaner). Boy, was I in for a dirty surprise despite the clean outer appearance. So much dirt grime, dead skin cells, etc...

The pic with my hand shows what came out of the first link.

The pic showing 2 links, is everything cleaned out of the 6 links.

notes:
I like the pic below from @ec51 comparing the 2 diff types of Oyster middle links

Like many have been saying including members like @padi56& @tools), not much diff between solid middle links and hollow ones
Just the size of the hole for the screw (and more room for dirt to get stuck in).
https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...40&postcount=4

Wools · 24 October 2018, 01:07 AM

Ohh, that's beautiful!

SS Oyster · 24 October 2018, 01:44 AM

Gross - glad I have only been buying new or unworn watches.

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eus6267 · 24 October 2018, 02:30 AM

Yikes.

NJRolexFan · 24 October 2018, 02:32 AM

Nasty!

schoolboy · 24 October 2018, 02:36 AM

Wow!

The other day I cleaned the bracelet on my reacquired skx007 (which looked pretty clean!) and in the same fashion a lot of stuff was hiding in there.

It was an enjoyable experience though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

214270Explorer · 24 October 2018, 02:41 AM

WOW this is a good reminder to keep up on maintenance.

That grit and grime could lead to accelerated wear.

SearChart · 24 October 2018, 02:45 AM

The hidden stuff is sneaky but dirty

As a watchmaker, it is not always just hidden

jaisonline · 24 October 2018, 03:28 AM

here's a follow-up question.

what's the preferred method for cleaning the non-removable links on the bracelet? ultrasonic cleaning?

R!$ · 24 October 2018, 03:30 AM

i prefer to leave this to my watchmaker

T01 · 24 October 2018, 03:34 AM

That's nuts!

faz · 24 October 2018, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

The hidden stuff is sneaky but dirty

As a watchmaker, it is not always just hidden

That is just gross.
Unhealthy gross.
Filthy.

SearChart · 24 October 2018, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faz

That is just gross.
Unhealthy gross.
Filthy.

I agree and sadly this is not uncommon...

doubleinfive · 24 October 2018, 04:54 AM

Previous owner may have been a slob...

Odie-r · 24 October 2018, 05:16 AM

Gross. Good tip!

05carbondrz · 24 October 2018, 06:46 AM

That’s why EVERY Bracelet I get on used Rolex Watches goes directly into the Ultrasonic Cleaner.

SLS · 24 October 2018, 06:50 AM

I use scrubbing bubbles (tile & shower cleaner) on my bracelets about once a month...more in the summer and it is gross to see what comes out. I rinse my watch daily in the shower as well.

mjclark32 · 24 October 2018, 06:52 AM

Ultrasonic and/or a jewelry steamer are a must

CoveWatch · 24 October 2018, 07:20 AM

Nasty.. makes me want to take a closer look at my watches

Jim Smyth · 24 October 2018, 08:27 PM

I keep mine clean with weekly showers and a soft brush and body soap. Also do a Ultrasonic cleaner 1-2 times a year. Lots we cant see down in those links.

DP63 · 24 October 2018, 09:30 PM

I use a dental water jet to clean my bracelet in between services .... it works really well, doesnt require stripping of the bracelet and the pressure is minimal for any concerns on older watches for any ingress of water.

24 October 2018, 02:41 AM	#7
214270Explorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: United States Watch: me buy Watches Posts: 3,955	WOW this is a good reminder to keep up on maintenance. That grit and grime could lead to accelerated wear. __________________ “The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind” Rolex "some" Tudor "some" Damasko "some" Misc Pieces "some" Marathon "some" GS Spring Drive "some" Hamilton "some" Findeisen "some"

24 October 2018, 05:16 AM	#15
Odie-r "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: London Posts: 4,452	Gross. Good tip! __________________ @watchtheleftwrist

24 October 2018, 06:50 AM	#17
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,399	I use scrubbing bubbles (tile & shower cleaner) on my bracelets about once a month...more in the summer and it is gross to see what comes out. I rinse my watch daily in the shower as well. __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

24 October 2018, 06:52 AM	#18
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Ultrasonic and/or a jewelry steamer are a must __________________

24 October 2018, 01:07 AM	#2
Wools "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 374	Ohh, that's beautiful!

24 October 2018, 01:44 AM	#3
SS Oyster "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 8,800	Gross - glad I have only been buying new or unworn watches. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24 October 2018, 02:30 AM	#4
eus6267 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 487	Yikes.

24 October 2018, 02:32 AM	#5
NJRolexFan 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: NJ Posts: 323	Nasty!

24 October 2018, 02:36 AM	#6
schoolboy Banned Join Date: Nov 2017 Real Name: Jesus Location: Texas Watch: 116234 Posts: 8,721	Wow! The other day I cleaned the bracelet on my reacquired skx007 (which looked pretty clean!) and in the same fashion a lot of stuff was hiding in there. It was an enjoyable experience though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24 October 2018, 03:28 AM	#9
jaisonline 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Watch: 5 digit models Posts: 1,515	here's a follow-up question. what's the preferred method for cleaning the non-removable links on the bracelet? ultrasonic cleaning?

24 October 2018, 03:30 AM	#10
R!$ Banned Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,405	i prefer to leave this to my watchmaker

24 October 2018, 03:34 AM	#11
T01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: T Location: AZ, NV, CA Posts: 6,481	That's nuts!

24 October 2018, 04:54 AM	#14
doubleinfive "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: CA Posts: 655	Previous owner may have been a slob...

24 October 2018, 06:46 AM	#16
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	That’s why EVERY Bracelet I get on used Rolex Watches goes directly into the Ultrasonic Cleaner.

24 October 2018, 07:20 AM	#19
CoveWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: SoCal Watch: Rolex & AP Posts: 4,535	Nasty.. makes me want to take a closer look at my watches

24 October 2018, 08:27 PM	#20
Jim Smyth Banned Join Date: Nov 2013 Real Name: Jim Smyth Location: Florida Watch: DD Posts: 1,842	I keep mine clean with weekly showers and a soft brush and body soap. Also do a Ultrasonic cleaner 1-2 times a year. Lots we cant see down in those links.

24 October 2018, 09:30 PM	#21
DP63 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Real Name: DP Location: Scotland Watch: 18078 Posts: 795	I use a dental water jet to clean my bracelet in between services .... it works really well, doesnt require stripping of the bracelet and the pressure is minimal for any concerns on older watches for any ingress of water.

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