Cleaning, storage and repassage of watches

What is watch repassage and why is it needed?

First, what is this word? The fact is that French is still the international language for watchmakers. Here is the word repassage - French, its literal translation gives a whole couple of words: "re-pass". An adequate term is the word "bulkhead". Like a firearm - to disassemble, clean and assemble, only with a watch it is much more difficult. Sometimes you hear how the repassage of the watch is likened to the maintenance of the car. There is something in common, but again: repassing a watch is more difficult than an ordinary maintenance at a car service station.

So, repassage of mechanical watches is a time-consuming procedure, during which a complete disassembly of the clockwork is carried out, all parts are cleaned, if necessary, replacement of worn-out ones, replacement of lubricant and, finally, assembly.

Is it really necessary to subject the watch to this procedure? Should I take them to a certified service center? After all, pleasure is not cheap: for the most inexpensive mechanical watches repassage cost will be about 50-60 euros., and for elite price will be in the hundreds! Well, if a watch is not expensive either in terms of value or as a memory, then it may be easier to buy new ones. Or, if you have skillful hands and an inquisitive mind, then try to cope on your own ... But when it comes to the average or, even more so, the highest level - it makes sense to fork out. Indeed, it would never occur to you to change the brake pads, oil in the crankcase, etc. on your own. in your Ferrari or Rolls-Royce.

So - to a workshop, and a good one, not a cheap one! It's worth it.

How do you know when it's time to do the repassage? As a rule, manufacturers indicate the desired frequency of maintenance in the instructions for the watch. Usually it is every two to three years. But sometimes the need may arise earlier. Dust and moisture penetrate inside the watch (there is no absolute tightness), the oil thickens, during operation vibrations, shaking, shocks are possible. Signs that the watch needs repassing are deterioration in the accuracy of the movement, "tightness" of the crown, in case of self-winding watches - decrease in the efficiency of the latter.

How and how to lubricate a mechanical watch at home

Well, hands grow from where they are needed and, besides, they itch ... So, you have to try. However, if the objects of the experiment are wall-mounted clock or desktop - and they are most often quartz - then there is no problem. Actually, quartz watch are not subject to repassage, this term does not apply to them. In them change the battery and / or doing something specifically electronic. This is outside the scope of our present consideration. So let's look at what you can do at home. with mechanical wristwatch.

First of all, about what tools and equipment you will need. Here's a rough list:

• watchmaker magnifier;
• small tweezers (or preferably two);
• a set of micrometric screwdrivers;
• wooden toothpicks;
• thin brushes;
• medical pear (enema);
• boxes for storing removed parts;
• gasoline "Kalosha";
• watch oil;
• oil dosage (thin wire with a flattened end);
• silicone grease, etc.

We will not describe the whole process here, because entire textbooks have been written on this topic. Let's note the main thing:

1. After you remove the glass, hands, dial and back cover, you need remove the winding shaft with the crown... Typically, there is a part in the mechanism that holds the shaft. This part should be unscrewed.
2. Then, when you put the mechanism removed from the case in front of you (on a clean white sheet), you will need unscrew all the screwswhatever there is, and extract relevant parts and assemblies.
3. All kinds of shallow holes and grooves, wherever you find yourself, you should be careful clean using toothpicks. You can also use brushes.
4. Details you need Rinse by immersing them in a container with a little gasoline "Galosha" and then to dry with a pear. If the gasoline becomes dirty, you need to change it for a new portion.
5. Collect in reverse order.
6. As you build apply by micro-drop oil (with the help of impromptu oil dosing), mainly on the axle supports (stones), as well as in other tense places. Attention: do not lubricate gear teeth!
7. Before replacing the back cover, lubricate her gasket silicone grease.

Actually, these seven points are in no way a guide to action. They only give the most general idea of ​​the work that lies ahead and which will take you several hours. More specifically, you can get acquainted with this very, very difficult matter by surfing the Internet in search of a corresponding video.

Unfortunately, many of these videos do not stand up to criticism, being rather an example of how not to do it. So look at the comments on these videos. For our part, we can recommend an impeccable, but exciting film, one hour long (in duration). We also advise you to pay attention to the qualified comments of specialists in it.

Basically, before installing the handled, cleaned and oiled mechanism in corps it is supposed to test and, if necessary, adjust its course. Alas, without special means and special training to cope - there is not a lot of chances. So there is a chance, after all the work, to go to the workshop. Just remember: certified!

Cleaning and polishing watches at home

We're done with repassage, now let's move on to more accessible operations. They, however, also have their own subtleties. Let's start with straps and bracelets. It is better to remove them from the watch for cleaning. Of course, if the declared watertightness hours - 100 meters or more, then you can do everything in assembly. If it's so lazy. The main thing here is not to forget to screw the crown completely.

Cleaning the silicone strap

Wash off the white silicone bracelet not difficult. Preparing a washing solution: liquid antibacterial soap, a few drops of ammonia, warm water. We moisten a cotton pad in the solution, wipe the strap on both sides. We wash it off with running water, wipe it off, leave it to dry completely. Life hack: with heavy dirt, silicone can be cleaned well with a white eraser.

We wash the rubber bracelet

It's rubber. We take a bar of laundry soap. Cut off half. Rub on a coarse grater. Fill with a glass of warm water, stir. After a while, you get something like a gruel. We apply it to the strap using a cotton pad. We are waiting for half an hour. Three hard enough sponge. We rinse with running water, wipe it off, wait until it dries.

Another option is toothpaste. Everything is the same, with the exception that you do not need to rub with a sponge, but you need to walk with a soft toothbrush. Or a brush, also soft. Or even with a finger.

Metal strap

The most common metal for watch bracelets is stainless steel... We will turn to such bracelets, and we will tell you about the rules for working with products made of precious metals a little later.

We go over all surfaces with a soft cloth (flannel is good). We make a weak warm soapy solution. We immerse the bracelet in it for a few minutes. Then we process it with a soft brush (you can use a toothbrush), cleaning out the muddy dirt between the links. Handle polished links gently! We rinse with warm running water, wipe dry with a soft cloth. If you want to renew the shine of the metal, wipe the bracelet with a napkin slightly moistened with an ammonia-based cleaner - at least a weak solution of ammonia.

How to clean a leather strap

Leather is perhaps the most solid material for a watch strap, but also more capricious than rubber or silicone. Care is required by the skin more often, but if it is more complex, then not much. The basic method is the same as for the silicone strap (see above). You just need to remember that you should not soak the skin in a soap-ammonia-water solution: just wipe it with a cotton pad. And you need to rinse off the solution not with running water, but with a damp cloth.

But you can soak in another solution: soda and water, 1: 1, this is recommended in case of severe pollution. You can also add vinegar. The period of soaking is from 30 minutes to an hour, then we remove the soda with a cotton pad and wipe the strap with a damp cloth. It's also a good idea to apply and rub in a few drops of glycerin to soften the skin.

Finally, a completely homemade way: add egg white (1 pc.) To a glass of milk, beat, refrain from eating inside, moisten a cotton pad, treat the skin, wipe with a damp cloth, leave to dry. Now the eggnog-mogul can be finished.

We carefully clean gold and gilded watches

Ah, gold! .. It is beautiful, it is truly precious! But royal yellow metal (and gold is also pink and white) requires appropriate treatment. Never, under any circumstances, use water when working with it! Only dry substances, namely: baby powder, or cosmetic powder, or, at worst, crushed chalk. And dry - just a dry soft cloth. We put a little of our powder on it and carefully polish the surface - even a bracelet, even a case. Finally, wipe it with a clean cloth, also soft and dry.

Silver watch

Water can also be used for silver. A good solution consists of ammonia (or table vinegar) and soda. We apply this substance to the product and leave it for half an hour or an hour, then wipe it with a damp cloth and, finally, polish it with a cloth or microfiber.

Storing your watch correctly

Here we have to go back to the car analogy we already made with regard to maintenance. With storage, in general, it is also similar. It is, of course, better to keep the car in the garage, preferably warm. But there is a difference: if the car more or less calmly withstands parking in the open air, even in the rain and snow, but this does not suit the watch. Yes and keep a watch at home need to be done correctly, avoiding risks such as getting dirt, dust, liquids on them (for example, when you are doing home repairs or cooking something in the kitchen), falls, bumps, etc.

For storing watches, if you do not wear them for a while and do not feel the need to glance at them every now and then, the usual box from under something, but of course it is much better to use a special case... Such cases are both adapted for keeping watches properly, and, in addition, are beautiful. And for storing watches self-winding are issued special boxes, in which the watch is not only stored, but also wound. Such watchwinders, they are also timemovers, operate on batteries and / or from the mains, they are designed for one, two, four, etc. watches (which is not superfluous if you have a whole collection), offer a choice of different automatic winding modes, finished with wood, leather, modern materials.

Swiss watch service

Sometimes they ask: how care exactly behind a Swiss watch? Are there any features that distinguish their service from that of Japanese, German, Russian and all others? We answer: there are no fundamental differences, and indeed there cannot be. Another thing is that the watch is marked Swiss made, as a rule, are the subject of special pride of their owner, since they are almost always of high quality and unequivocally testify in favor of the status of the owner of such watches.

And it’s not very pleasant if your favorite Swiss watch suddenly starts to junk or stops altogether, or loses its appearance due to scratches on the bracelet and case due to improper cleaning, or ends up on a strap that has lost its appearance, worn or dirty. Therefore, everything that we have recommended for you above should be observed as strictly as possible for Swiss watches.