"Steam Cleaning" at an AD?

[kd_submariner]

The AD where I purchased my sub at, said I can come by whenever and he could "steam clean" (can't remember if that was the proper term) my watch free of charge.

I understand how this would work for jewelry, but has anyone ever done this with their watches and seen the process? Is it advised?

I have an ultrasonic cleaner already or would also just use a toothbrush and soapy water when I need to clean my watch. But a professional and complimentary service such as this would be great to take advantage of if it were safe.

Appreciate any insight

[madmax21]

It sounds like he's using A cleaning device that's used to sterilize metals it's not only unnecessary but would probably damage your movement unless the watch pins are removed and only the bracelet is cleaned in this fashion...

My advice is don't touch it where the watch have it properly serviced either at a Rolex dealer that is authorized to service Rolex or directly to Rolex service center.

Most people don't even have watches polished so I would definitely not take advantage of this so-called free service as it may damage your watch.... bad idea

[GeeRam]

Had my Sub done by UK AD RL Austen once a few years ago, who always have a stand at the Goodwood Revival meeting, and they have this steam cleaning device on their stand offering cleans FOC to Rolex owners attending the meeting. They really only use it to clean the bracelets/links etc and around the lugs.

[116500LN]

He's gonna wear your watch and take a hot, steamy shower with it then give it back to you.

[TuckerHorology]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

He's gonna wear your watch and take a hot, steamy shower with it then give it back to you.

LOL a nice steam clean for ya free

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by TuckerHorology

LOL a nice steam clean for ya free

Lol.... I would stick to dishwashing detergent and even that do it only occasionally to clean your watch as well maybe a soft brush but not even a toothbrush a very soft brush....

And leave the carpet cleaning guys to do steam cleaning LOL

[Mystro]

Not a fan of any AD touching my watch. Wash with a diluted Dawn dish soap and water has my watches sparkling.

[GerardoG]

Rolex Dallas confirmed this is how they do the final cleaning of bracelets.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Rolex Dallas confirmed this is how they do the final cleaning of bracelets.

Generally high heat steaming is to kill bacteria unless you're wearing your watch in a incubator full of bacteria on a day-to-day basis stainless steel really doesn't need to be sterilized use a mild dishwashing detergent with water and you're fine.

I am sorry but I'll leave it at that at this point I would avoided like the plague.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Not a fan of any AD touching my watch. Wash with a diluted Dawn dish soap and water has my watches sparkling.

Totally agree with Mystro on this one. Easy enough to clean the watch on your own, without any intervention or unnecessary assistance from others.

[Lumberjact]

Just pop it in the dishwasher. Eco cycle.

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by madmax21

Lol.... I would stick to dishwashing detergent and even that do it only occasionally to clean your watch as well maybe a soft brush but not even a toothbrush a very soft brush....

And leave the carpet cleaning guys to do steam cleaning LOL

I shudder to think what would happen to my Sub in ocean water and near sand.

[Canefan1]

Wash the 116613 with dawn,rinse city water and then rainX
J/k, city water then Evian.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by kd_submariner

The AD where I purchased my sub at, said I can come by whenever and he could "steam clean" (can't remember if that was the proper term) my watch free of charge.

. . .

Most jewelry stores have a steam cleaner in the back room to clean jewelry, watches, etc. It looks a lot like the milk steamer at your local coffee shop.

It is unlikely to cause any damage to your watch

[jbro352]

I'll just do it myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Canefan1]

Originally Posted by Tools

Most jewelry stores have a steam cleaner in the back room to clean jewelry, watches, etc. It looks a lot like the milk steamer at your local coffee shop.

It is unlikely to cause any damage to your watch

Thx Larry.

[tatery]

I always decline it when they offer. It's just going to get smudged up and looking nice and worn in a few minutes anyway for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bahdoey]

An AD once told me to put my Rolex in the Top Rack of the dishwasher. You aint gonna hurt it.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by Sidmind

I shudder to think what would happen to my Sub in ocean water and near sand.

Actually I was suggested by my watchmaker who by the way is a former Rolex service center watchmaker that it's not a good idea to wear a watch in a steam room.... now I had an instance once we're somehow water vapor managed to get in my Rolex and believe it or not it was a Submariner to boot it ended up causing flaking of the dial.

I found out about this during a routine service to make a long story short I had to replace both the dial and the hands to keep it all consistent with the complete service it turned out to be about of $1,500 bill.

In brief I would never put a watch in a steamer that is the movement and case. If we're talking about the bracelet it's a different story I just would never risk it you're more than welcome to do it with your watches though.

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by Bahdoey

An AD once told me to put my Rolex in the Top Rack of the dishwasher. You aint gonna hurt it.

Run it through and then let us know how it goes.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Run it through and then let us know how it goes.

Mamma Mia....this is just too funny.... I heard bullet proof vests stop bullets maybe we should give that a try too!!!

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Run it through and then let us know how it goes.

X2.... great way of putting it

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by madmax21

Generally high heat steaming is to kill bacteria unless you're wearing your watch in a incubator full of bacteria on a day-to-day basis stainless steel really doesn't need to be sterilized use a mild dishwashing detergent with water and you're fine.

I am sorry but I'll leave it at that at this point I would avoided like the plague.

And removing any kind of residue. Just passing what Rolex told me. By the way, I am a Chemical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the field; I am aware of the uses of steam.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

And removing any kind of residue. Just passing what Rolex told me. By the way, I am a Chemical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the field; I am aware of the uses of steam.

I'm not questioning your experience on the use of steam my question to you though would be would you put a $10,000 watch in a steamer and I'm talking about the case of a Rolex even better would you put say a $40,000 gold Submariner in a steamer???

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by madmax21

I'm not questioning your experience on the use of steam my question to you though would be would you put a $10,000 watch in a steamer and I'm talking about the case of a Rolex even better would you put say a $40,000 gold Submariner in a steamer???

I agree!

[CGarza9655]

You're not placing the watch into anything. Unless I'm mistaken, it's a spot cleaning.

[The GMT Master]

A proper steam cleaner is a great toy to have as a jeweller, the pressure really gets the dirt out of those hard to reach places. Personally, I would not use steam on the head of the watch, but if the bracelet is properly removed, that can be cleaned with absolutely no risk

Chris

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

He's gonna wear your watch and take a hot, steamy shower with it then give it back to you.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by madmax21

Actually I was suggested by my watchmaker who by the way is a former Rolex service center watchmaker that it's not a good idea to wear a watch in a steam room.... now I had an instance once we're somehow water vapor managed to get in my Rolex and believe it or not it was a Submariner to boot it ended up causing flaking of the dial.

I found out about this during a routine service to make a long story short I had to replace both the dial and the hands to keep it all consistent with the complete service it turned out to be about of $1,500 bill.

In brief I would never put a watch in a steamer that is the movement and case. If we're talking about the bracelet it's a different story I just would never risk it you're more than welcome to do it with your watches though.

Not to beat a dead horse on this topic but how old was your sub before the service? Is there a chance the seals had gone bad due to its age. I'm pretty sure the forum consensus on steam is that steam has no ill effect on a currently serviced and pressure tested Rolex.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by madmax21

I'm not questioning your experience on the use of steam my question to you though would be would you put a $10,000 watch in a steamer and I'm talking about the case of a Rolex even better would you put say a $40,000 gold Submariner in a steamer???

On the basis that it is now believed that most gold on the planet came form meteor strikes, I'm sure a $40,000 submariner would be perfectly safe in a steamer. Its not going to melt.

(I should add that the seals are good for over 200 degrees celsius, so a little steam isn't going to hurt unless there's a problem with the watch which would impact its water resistance rating)