Ultrasonic Cleaner Help

[maxiboy60]

I purchased a James Products 7000S Ultrasonic cleaner from Amazon a few months back. The product works well and I recommend it for the price. I use it about once a month to clean my Explorer and Sub Oyster bracelets.

As necessary, I have removed the bracelet from the watch head to clean them, as putting the watch head in the water solution and exposing it to the vibrations can damage the movement. However, I find changing the bracelet a real pain and I normally end up scratching the lugs during the process. The cleaner comes with various attachments, including a plastic tray for a watch that keeps the watch head out of the solution whilst submerging the bracelet.

Question: Do members think that this is sufficient to protect movement from the ultrasonic vibrations, or should I continue to remove the bracelet entirely?

Many thanks

[cop414]

The vibrations can travel via the bracelet to the watch head, so you should be removing it whenever you use your ultrasonic. Not sure why you feel the need to use the ultrasonic this often, overkill in my opinion. Maybe once or twice a year would be more appropriate? Clean the bracelet and head several times a month with a soft toothbrush and dish detergent.
You might want to post this in the tech section also.

[Bob the brush]

I agree, soap warm water and a soft scrubbing brush is ample, ultrasonic cleaning is a bit overkill, I have one, an impulse buy, I don't think I have used it after the initial 'lets clean all the jewellery' spree!

[Etschell]

Children's tooth brush and mild hand soap. Manual labor works well.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by cop414

The vibrations can travel via the bracelet to the watch head, so you should be removing it whenever you use your ultrasonic. Not sure why you feel the need to use the ultrasonic this often, overkill in my opinion. Maybe once or twice a year would be more appropriate? Clean the bracelet and head several times a month with a soft toothbrush and dish detergent.
You might want to post this in the tech section also.

Agreed.

I cannot imagine what someone must be doing to get a watch so dirty that it requires this level of effort.

[MrInternational]

Originally Posted by Bob Kendall

I agree, soap warm water and a soft scrubbing brush is ample, ultrasonic cleaning is a bit overkill, I have one, an impulse buy, I don't think I have used it after the initial 'lets clean all the jewellery' spree!

LOL re: "let's clean all the jewelry spree"!

[LBC4225]

I use Vareat and really love it.
Don't even use a brush.
Just rub the spray into the bracelet and case back using my fingers.
Watch comes out amazing.

[qman]

I picked up a cheap ultrasonic cleaner from a brookstone that was closing for $20. Once a year, I take the bracelets off to US clean them, although they are never really that dirty. Vareat and soft brush on bracelets and head once a month keeps things pretty clean.

[kilyung]

For a deep clean, it's the only way to go but I'd always remove the head. Always.

[mmalek1]

I cleaned my planet ocean bracelet after a week in the sand and ocean. I first used a brush and soap to start and then used my wife's us. The us still removed a decent amount of grime even after decent brush. As others have said, I would always remove the head before ultrasonic treatment.

[rob]

Originally Posted by LBC4225

I use Vareat and really love it.
Don't even use a brush.
Just rub the spray into the bracelet and case back using my fingers.
Watch comes out amazing.

I use the same!!! Or scrubby bubbles for tough stuff like s/p staining my fence.

[maxiboy60]

Thanks all

Maybe I need to calm down my OCD tendencies and stop being so precious!

[tomchicago]

Always remove bracelet.

[uansari1]

U/S is not overkill...it's much better at cleaning inside the links than a brush with soap and water or Veraet. That's where the grime hides that causes the dreaded bracelet stretch.

[Likestheshiny]

While I agree that once a month is too often (what are you doing that it needs so much cleaning?), what I really don't understand is why you're not taping the lugs before you take off the bracelet. If you know you're going to scratch the lugs, why on earth would you keep doing it?

[jmiicustomz]

I use my ultrasonic regularly and change bracelets/straps almost daily and don't tape the lugs and still don't scratch the head. That's the part I don't understand in this thread.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

I use my ultrasonic regularly and change bracelets/straps almost daily and don't tape the lugs and still don't scratch the head. That's the part I don't understand in this thread.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

You may be more practiced in bracelet removal/installation than the OP. Oh, and he may not have the proper tools.

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by uansari1

You may be more practiced in bracelet removal/installation than the OP. Oh, and he may not have the proper tools.

True enough I guess

To know the future is to be trapped by it

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by maxiboy60

Thanks all

Maybe I need to calm down my OCD tendencies and stop being so precious!

Yes you do! As others said, baby toothbrush and veraet work great.
Enjoy your newly cleaned watch.

[JP Chestnut]

Hot water, dilute dish soap, and some windex does a good job.

[Andad]

If the watch head is not in the ultrasonic solution it will not be affected.

Most of the ultrasonic cleaners (35 - 50 Watts) that are around one to two hundred dollars are only toys and have only a small amount of cleaning energy compared to a real commercial cleaner.

We sell a range of commercial ultrasonic cleaners (350 - 750 Watts) and I have never had an issue with a watch movement connected to a bracelet suspended in a cleaner.