Strange Sub watch cleaning advice

[realest145]

I met someone at a coffee shop a few days ago and he made a nice watch comment to me. I said thank you and he showed me his matching watch. During our conversation he said that he was told 15 years ago when he bought his that once a year you should submerge your Sub in water over night then clean it with soap and water the next morning. I am assuming that the point of this would be to remove any dirt, grime, etc. that is hardened on the watch and give it a deep clean of sorts once a year. I have never heard of such a thing. Anyone have any thoughts on this???

[Zirotti]

That will do nothing beneficial for your watch...take a toothbrush and dishsoap and water and it will clean it up.

[xxthe_remedyxx]

I don't see the point in doing that. Just clean it up with some soap and water with a soft toothbrush and your good to go.

[TheVTCGuy]

I heard the same thing.... and if I'm not mistaken there was actually a thread on this.. (it was a long time ago). One member said that the over-night soaking removed all the pieces of skin and dirt... Frankly, I'm more inclined to believe like the rest of the posts on here and what the book says, a soft brush and soapy water.

[GoISU]

I am a soaker myself. Hot, HOT water, drop of dish soap and a soak until the water is cool. There will be deposits of grime in the bottom of the cup (I use a coffee mug BTW). Then I give it a cleaning with the toothbrush and more soap. I found this to be the best way to prevent the dirt deposits on my wrist after a cleaning. Just my .02.

[sakuraba]

Most of the grime accumulated on my watch is on the bracelet, not the head.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner for the bracelet, and soap and water for the head. I've also tried Scrubbin Bubbles which has worked pretty well.

[David Woo]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

Most of the grime accumulated on my watch is on the bracelet

Yep, those center links are not solid: the dirt and grime gets in there and the soak helps soften them up so they can be rinsed out.
DW

[zak98]

always been a soft brush, warm water and a bit of soap. for me.

[dieseldragon]

I used to clean the head of my sub with soap, water and brush.

The stainless steel bracelet I would put in a pyrex jug, with washing up liquid then pour boiling water over it, shake it up a bit and the amount of black black dirt that comes out is amazing. I think the hot water really helps to loosen the greasy build ups.

[Erix]

I just shower with my sub, no probs whatsoever.

[tattooedfagin]

i've always used an ultra sonic cleaner with a splash of washing up liquid...works a treat

[mmmmp]

>I've always used an ultra sonic cleaner with a splash of washing up >liquid...works a treat<

On the bracelet only - or with the head on?

I just bought an US cleaner and it works great - but I hesitate to put the watch itself in. I use a micro-fibre cloth once a week and a Cape Cod once every few months - works well for me. I suspect new Rollie owners - just like I did 20 years ago - over polish thier watches. That's fine - and it's fun for the first while - but now I just try to keep it clean, and enjoy it. It will get banged up no matter how gently it's treated - as long as it's not abused.

Just my opinion,
Mark

[tattooedfagin]

Originally Posted by mmmmp

>I've always used an ultra sonic cleaner with a splash of washing up >liquid...works a treat<

On the bracelet only - or with the head on?

the whole shabang.....never had any problems at all...

[rfknauss]

I use some liquid dish detergent in a sink filled with water and scrub it with a soft bristle tooth brush. Works great.

[buz-lh]

Ultrasonic cleaners are great for bracelets but I wouldn't put the watch head in one.

[Robwilliams]

Originally Posted by buz-lh

Ultrasonic cleaners are great for bracelets but I wouldn't put the watch head in one.

Just curious, why wouldn't you put the head in the cleaner? Isn't it supposed to be water/pressure proof?

Rob

[Ronnie Rolex]

Originally Posted by Robwilliams

Just curious, why wouldn't you put the head in the cleaner? Isn't it supposed to be water/pressure proof?

Rob

There is a chance the ultrasonic vibrations could allow some water seepage into the case. The vibrations differ from pressure.

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by GoISU

I am a soaker myself. Hot, HOT water, drop of dish soap and a soak until the water is cool. There will be deposits of grime in the bottom of the cup (I use a coffee mug BTW). Then I give it a cleaning with the toothbrush and more soap. I found this to be the best way to prevent the dirt deposits on my wrist after a cleaning. Just my .02.

Hot Hot water ? Doesn't that play havoc with the gaskets and seals .

[realest145]

Originally Posted by patrick09

Hot Hot water ? Doesn't that play havoc with the gaskets and seals .

I was thinking the same thing when I read it but I was keeping my foot in my mouth because im a new-bee

[meloncap78]

I soak my bracelet for about 30 minutes in a mild phosphoric acid mixture (product name "Awesome"). You would be very very surprised to see all the gunk that comes out from in between the joints and the hollow center links. I do this roughly once every couple of months and the water is always black when I am finished. If your watch gets wet while on your wrist and then leaves a black ring around your arm, then you know it is time for a soak. This information of course, is for entertainment purposes only.



~ Joshua

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by patrick09

Hot Hot water ? Doesn't that play havoc with the gaskets and seals .

Originally Posted by realest145

I was thinking the same thing when I read it but I was keeping my foot in my mouth because im a new-bee

Boiling water would not harm your watch or gaskets!!

[MagedMS]

Originally Posted by sleddog1000

Boiling water would not harm your watch or gaskets!!

I confirm that boiling water would not harm your ROLEX's .. Here is a Rolex adv. using a very tough test: Boiling a Rolex case in water for 10 min. @ 100 deg. without damaging the watch case & O-rings..

[This info & pic. was posted by Padi56 in another TRF thread]