Not winding your vintage & keeping in safe

[donald83]

I have heard some people keeping their watches in safe for many many years but wouldnt that cause the oils in the mechanics to harden and have detrimental effects?

Thought of keeping my 16700 in the safe to achieve patina too.

[Tools]

Modern synthetic oils seldom harden with age. Oil is also engineered to be cohesive, with good capillary properties to stay in place.

If you are concerned, just rotate the watch every now and then, or wind it on occasion.

[Passinthru]

Originally Posted by Tools

Modern synthetic oils seldom harden with age. Oil is also engineered to be cohesive, with good capillary properties to stay in place.

If you are concerned, just rotate the watch every now and then, or wind it on occasion.

I have heard the same. When did the use of modern oils begin?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Passinthru

I have heard the same. When did the use of modern oils begin?

It was after WWII in the mid 1950s the first Synthetic Oils came out on the market for the watchmaking industry.But its funny many watchmakers did not rush to use these synthetic oils,as they thought if could be bad for business as it would cut down the need of regular service every 2-3 years like the mineral type oils. Although synthetic oils have the same lubricating properties as the mineral oils,the synthetic lubrication properties would not change over very much longer running periods. Plus they would not gum up so much and cause corrosion and could be left in the movements for a very very long time without any major cleaning.Synthetic oils have improved over the years much like car industry which now use mainly semi or fully synthetic oils.

[Dan S]

I don't see why running the watch would make much of a difference. It's not like a car where the oil is circulated by a pump. The oil is mainly just sitting in place either way.

[AJMarcus]

Not sure keeping it locked away in a safe will give it patina. Some of best vintages dials I’ve seen have been on those pieces that were actually worn. To answer your question I think It’s just good common sense to use anything mechanical once in a while.

[athom]

Originally Posted by padi56

It was after WWII in the mid 1950s the first Synthetic Oils came out on the market for the watchmaking industry.But its funny many watchmakers did not rush to use these synthetic oils,as they thought if could be bad for business as it would cut down the need of regular service every 2-3 years like the mineral type oils. Although synthetic oils have the same lubricating properties as the mineral oils,the synthetic lubrication properties would not change over very much longer running periods. Plus they would not gum up so much and cause corrosion and could be left in the movements for a very very long time without any major cleaning.Synthetic oils have improved over the years much like car industry which now use mainly semi or fully synthetic oils.

Nice explanation But was would be nice to know is when Rolex began to use synthetics oils ?

[athom]

Originally Posted by donald83

I have heard some people keeping their watches in safe for many many years but wouldnt that cause the oils in the mechanics to harden and have detrimental effects?

Thought of keeping my 16700 in the safe to achieve patina too.

On a 16700 no problem with the oil to store it...regarding storing watches in safe (even more for this patina reason)...no need for me to tell you what I'm thinking about...watches are made to be worn and great patina come from wearing and living...

[donald83]

Originally Posted by athom

On a 16700 no problem with the oil to store it...regarding storing watches in safe (even more for this patina reason)...no need for me to tell you what I'm thinking about...watches are made to be worn and great patina come from wearing and living...

Different School of thoughts. Most say keeping in a safe will cause it to patina though


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by athom

Nice explanation But was would be nice to know is when Rolex began to use synthetics oils ?

From late 1960-1970 on.

[Passinthru]

Originally Posted by padi56

It was after WWII in the mid 1950s the first Synthetic Oils came out on the market for the watchmaking industry.But its funny many watchmakers did not rush to use these synthetic oils,as they thought if could be bad for business as it would cut down the need of regular service every 2-3 years like the mineral type oils. Although synthetic oils have the same lubricating properties as the mineral oils,the synthetic lubrication properties would not change over very much longer running periods. Plus they would not gum up so much and cause corrosion and could be left in the movements for a very very long time without any major cleaning.Synthetic oils have improved over the years much like car industry which now use mainly semi or fully synthetic oils.

Fascinating!!!!! Thank you so much for the explanation!!!!!

[SeeDweller]

Allow me to expand on the question, then:

I have a "few" watches, and I keep them in my safe, when I'm not wearing them in rotation. But many of them have calendars, or - - even worse, Day-Dates or even worst of all . . . non-"Quick-Set" calendars , ... So, I keep many of them on a winder (about 12 of them, to be exact).

Now, the question I'd ask is, ... is it better to keep them running all the time on a winder, or to let them just rest, and wind 'em up, once in a while only?
This question is especially for the vintage pieces like a '60's 5512, 5513, and my beloved 1655.

I can argue it both ways, but you guys are the experts, right??

[Richard Carver]

Just took this one out of storage after three years, it was last serviced in 2014, keeping perfect time.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by SeeDweller

is it better to keep them running all the time on a winder, or to let them just rest, and wind 'em up, once in a while only?

Let them rest. Winders are for noobs.

[R.W.T.]

You better wind it. I don't like winders really. Just wind it up and spin the rotor a little if it's an automatic to keep the oils dispersed. Or wear it for a day. That's what Rolex told me in the 80's.

It also depends on the model. The oils do become viscous and dry out. Otherwise...they would never need servicing...would they?

I can promise you that WAX DOT...where the oil USED to be in the cap jewels of the escape wheel and balance are very real situations.

If you have say a 50's vintage watch with a 10xx style movement, the reversers are lubricated very differently than the later varieties. Those get very GUMMY...as the oil dries out. That makes hand winding stiff. If you try and hand-wind one and the reversers are very gummed up, or one sticks for some reason...you'll bust the teeth on the crown gear. They start at 250.00. Watches don't like to "set up".

Why do that?

[athom]

Originally Posted by donald83

Different School of thoughts. Most say keeping in a safe will cause it to patina though


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What brings a nice patina if you can't wear your watch to keep it in a safe ?

[athom]

Originally Posted by padi56

From late 1960-1970 on.

Thanks mate