How to clean watch parts and what solutions to use. Watch repair tutorials.

This video shows how I clean my watches once I have stripped them down to pieces. It also details which cleaning solutions I use.

I purchase my solutions from Quadralene Ltd and Cousins UK.

Discuss watch repair issues and learn more at

Watch repairs and services in the UK

[WatchRepairChannel]

Hi Tony. This video was really a response to people asking me how I clean watch parts. I understand that many people do not have a watch cleaning machine, they can actually be purchased second hand for next to nothing. Cleaning parts by hand is a LOT of work and I really don't advise it but if you can do this by soaking the parts in Horolode, use a fine artists brush and pegwood to agitate the dirt away. If your comment gets enough thumbs up then I will make another video to demonstrate this :)

[dexson]

As usual.. I watch one or 2 of your videos everyday and grow smarter everyday! Thanks for your effort in making these so educational videos! I'm personally not a watchmaker but a watch enthusiasts which is very into the nibs and bits behind a watch. Your videos has led me to appreciate work behind the scene much more than before and in love with mechanical watches even deeper. Keep it up!

[tonyzackery]

Appreciate that you posted how to run the parts cleaning machine, but how about posting how to actual clean the parts manually? Not so sure this vid shows people how to clean watch parts - good tutorial on how to run a machine though. Don't flame me; just some constructive criticism.

[rustinpieces]

Just bought two of those Elma Super Elites for little nore than scrap money; one needing work on the electriconics but complete, and one working fine; yet very dirty - and I made one excellent machine out of them. They are both approx. second generation, so they're both cream-coloured - which I love! Unbelieveable that these machines still run after more than half a decade. Nice vid. I'll be going for Elma's own cleaning and rinsing fluids to start with; if they yield good results, I'll probably stick to those.

[watch-repair]

do you put the hairspring and pallet in there as well or do you clean them separately?

[syntacticalcrab]

Oh, also, do you put the hairspring and pallet in there as well or do you clean them separately?

[WatchRepairChannel]

These are special solutions made for watches, they don't attack brass parts. In fact they do a very good job of cleaning and brightening up any brass parts ;) and no, it is not enough heat to damage watch parts either. I hope this helps :)

[aab]

Are there any parts which should be excluded from this process?
I mean, for example, is it such that the forces that are applied to the components because of the rotation, or the chemicals, can harm any of the components (like hairspring, main spring, jewels, ...)?

[Memyselfandvan]

Thanks for the video Mark, really informative. I have an industrial ultrasonic cleaner for now, but do plan on replacing it with a similar machine to yours eventually.

[SolimBD]

What solutions do you use in the cleaning machine?

[MidwestHapkido]

You have become my go-to guy for things watch repair and mostly because your videos are clear and to the point. I watched this particular video, looking for tips on cleaning the pivot jewels. As I use an ultrasonic on everything about the only issues that infrequently fall short are the jewels. Any suggestions would be warmly appreciated.

[geoffreylotz]

Hi Mark - yet another great video, many thanks. My question is this - what would you do if you lived, like I do, in the boondocks in a country without a postal service to speak of and to which eBay, Amazon and the like don't deliver? These sort of solutions may or may not be available in my country but during the learning process i just want to be able to clean with basic solutions and solvents I can find - ammonia, acetone, methylated spirits, isopropyl alcohol etc etc. I can fashion some sort of machine from a cordless drill and a jar or something, and depending on how it goes in the watchlearning process I can always later import the correct machines and equipment, pay the exchange control levies and taxes, pay the import taxes and customs duties etc and carry on. But for the learning process on an old Union Special with an AS 1950/51 movement and a Roamer Popular movement, what cleaning solutions would you suggest using less specialised and more basic readily available products. The same goes for lubricants - I can get WD-40, 3-in-1 oil, Singer sewing machine oil, basic greases and MD greases etc such but not the specialised products you mention. What would you use as lubricants if you could not get the ones you mention? Imagine you were in the boondocks with limited access and availability and your own timepiece needed urgent attention...?? I am keen to hear your answer...

[leone]

Great vid.
Good to see the full cleaning process and the machine, nice piece of kit!

[elhasaneelhafidy]

thanx Mark for the Video! can you make a video about manual cleaning?
Thanx again

[JUNAID]

I have an ultra sonic cleaner should I use L&R #3 watch cleaning solution after the horloene or use the ultra sonic watch rinsing solution by L&R? Also could I skip the fine clean step?

[kennygo]

I gotta have that heavy duty watch winder. Its mesmerizing 👌

[leorelo]

Excellent video!! It's a shame that here in Brazil it's very difficult to get these products, but anyway would you be able to leave the description for us to find them? Thank you very much!!!!

[sugmasigma]

Great video! How many watches can you clean before you have to replace the solutions?

[roccodargenio]

Hi, sorry for my english but what you use for second rinse?
Thank you

[TangoTapper]

Could you clarify the drying process!
You said you turn the heater on and then give it 11 minutes - and it gets hot!
Is there not a danger that the shellac will melt and cause pallets or roller pins to drop out?
My particular interest is in antique watches. Thanks. Roy