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colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 02:33 AM

I've had my SD for around 5 months now, so I figured it's about time I give it a good cleaning.

You'd be suprised how much dirt and grime can accumulate in all the cracks and crevices of a Rolex watch.

I decided to break out the camera and take a few pics along the way. I hope you enjoy them!

Here she is, ready for her cleaning!

Time to remove the bezel. I used a small Swiss Army knife. I covered the blade and watch lug w/ tape to avoid scratching the case.

The bezel popped off easily using just a little bit of force.

Before I continued, I secured the bezel spring and gasket to a piece of tape so I wouldn't lose them.

Now, it's time to give the bezel and insert a good cleaning. Pretty nasty, huh.

Look what a toothbrush and a little bit of water can do!

I used the toothbrush to clean out the bezel teeth.

Now it's time to clean the bezel gasket. This will ensure your bezel rotates nice and smooth just as it should.

This was taken before cleaning.

Beneath the bezel the case managed to accumalate quite a bit of dirt and grime.

To clean this I simply used a damp paper towel and some good 'ole elbow grease! I also used a toothbrush to really get in there!

Now that the watch is clean, it's time to start putting it back together again. First step, apply the bezel gasket and properly secure the bezel spring.

Next, snap the bezel back on to the case. No tools are needed for this, just use your fingers to snap it back in to place. Easy as pie!

You're done! Just give it a quick polish to remove fingerprints and it's ready to hit the town!

C.J. · 1 May 2007, 02:43 AM

Nice tutorial, Jeff

Thanks

ashu2289 · 1 May 2007, 03:22 AM

Nice job.

What do you use for quick polish?

Chris B · 1 May 2007, 03:23 AM

Great shots Jeff, thats a neat idea using a piece of tape to secure the ring & spring, I'm definitely gonna steal that,

I bet its a really satisfying "click" sound when it snaps back isn't it? lol

mikey · 1 May 2007, 03:27 AM

Nice tutorial, but why didn't you remove the band and clean underneath the endlinks? There is thick gunk after 5 months in that area.

colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashu2289

Nice job.

What do you use for quick polish?

"Polish" probably wasn't the right word to use - it was more of a "whipe down". I used a microfibre cloth to remove the smudges and fingerprints.

colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris B

Great shots Jeff, thats a neat idea using a piece of tape to secure the ring & spring, I'm definitely gonna steal that,

Yeah, I'm quite proud of this one!

Very rarely do I come up with a good idea.

colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey

Nice tutorial, but why didn't you remove the band and clean underneath the endlinks? There is thick gunk after 5 months in that area.

Yeah, I probably should've done this, huh? I do remove my band periodically to swap bracelets/straps and clean it then. I suppose that's why I didn't think of it in this instance. Glad you like the tutorial!

chris_nor_cal · 1 May 2007, 03:32 AM

is it really that easy to remove the bezel? theres really no way to screw it up and end up with play in the bezel? that is my ultimate pet peeve with moveable bezels

colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

is it really that easy to remove the bezel? theres really no way to screw it up and end up with play in the bezel? that is my ultimate pet peeve with moveable bezels

Yes, it's that easy. You just have to be VERY CAREFUL not to scratch the case or the bezel while removing it. I don't think you could screw it up and end up with "play" in the bezel. I know you can adjust the firmness of the bezel by making slight adjustments (bending) the bezel spring, but I didn't need to do this. My bezel has the perfect amount of tension!

JJ Irani · 1 May 2007, 04:13 AM

Good job, Jeff.

That SD looks like an Explorer without the bezel!!

Kinda naked!!

leopardprey · 1 May 2007, 09:33 AM

I notice with the bezel removed, the inner fixed ring on the case has 4 beveled edges, different from the SUB which is rounded 360. Kind of likethe look without the bezel. Kind of like a 40mm Datejust on Steroids.

colemanitis · 1 May 2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I notice with the bezel removed, the inner fixed ring on the case has 4 beveled edges, different from the SUB which is rounded 360.

Yep, this makes removing the bezel very easy.

montecristo · 1 May 2007, 10:36 AM

Nice pictorial!

Someone told me before about not using a toothbrush or any kind of brush on gold surface, I normally just use a can of compressed air to blow dust off watches.

I remember seeing some jeweler take off the watch bracelet in put it in some glasses washing machine (sonic something) to wash the bracelet.

mike · 1 May 2007, 10:51 AM

Very cool Jeff

Good job!!

mlb · 1 May 2007, 03:31 PM

Nice write up

Will washing it with soap and water, keep dirt and grime out of the bracelet?

Alex Stylianou · 1 May 2007, 06:39 PM

interesting

greenfan · 1 May 2007, 08:28 PM

I´ll try that someday to my GMT. Untill now I´m just "washing" my watch with water and soap and a toothbrush...

G.J · 1 May 2007, 09:08 PM

Very nice job....

Flyjet601 · 1 May 2007, 09:13 PM

Very nice pictures

Dr Rock · 1 May 2007, 10:09 PM

Excellent write up: thankyou!

butlersl · 2 May 2007, 11:02 PM

Just cleaned the bezel under my "A" Sub that has been in service since 2000. There was a lot of gunk mainly on the underside of the washer, a little less on the case itself, and the backside of the bezel was somewhere in between. Very easy to do, seems to turn a little more "positively" now, and the spring-on-the-tape trick is very nice.

1 May 2007, 02:33 AM	#1
colemanitis "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jeff Location: Florida Watch: PAM 1090 Posts: 3,723	Pictorial: Cleaning a Rolex I've had my SD for around 5 months now, so I figured it's about time I give it a good cleaning. You'd be suprised how much dirt and grime can accumulate in all the cracks and crevices of a Rolex watch. I decided to break out the camera and take a few pics along the way. I hope you enjoy them! Here she is, ready for her cleaning! Time to remove the bezel. I used a small Swiss Army knife. I covered the blade and watch lug w/ tape to avoid scratching the case. The bezel popped off easily using just a little bit of force. Before I continued, I secured the bezel spring and gasket to a piece of tape so I wouldn't lose them. Now, it's time to give the bezel and insert a good cleaning. Pretty nasty, huh. Look what a toothbrush and a little bit of water can do! I used the toothbrush to clean out the bezel teeth. Now it's time to clean the bezel gasket. This will ensure your bezel rotates nice and smooth just as it should. This was taken before cleaning. Beneath the bezel the case managed to accumalate quite a bit of dirt and grime. To clean this I simply used a damp paper towel and some good 'ole elbow grease! I also used a toothbrush to really get in there! Now that the watch is clean, it's time to start putting it back together again. First step, apply the bezel gasket and properly secure the bezel spring. Next, snap the bezel back on to the case. No tools are needed for this, just use your fingers to snap it back in to place. Easy as pie! You're done! Just give it a quick polish to remove fingerprints and it's ready to hit the town! __________________ Member #471

1 May 2007, 03:22 AM	#3
ashu2289 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Ashutosh Location: Rochester NY Watch: Daytonas,SD Posts: 2,342	Nice job. What do you use for quick polish? __________________ Everything becomes nothing after ROLEX 116520 SS Daytona White Dial 116520 SS Daytona Black Dial 116523 18K&SS Daytona Slate Dial 16600 Sea-Dweller 16710 GMT Master II Pepsi Bezel 16613 18K&SS Submariner Blue Dial 116660 Deepsea Sea-Dweller

1 May 2007, 03:32 AM	#9
chris_nor_cal "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CA Posts: 688	is it really that easy to remove the bezel? theres really no way to screw it up and end up with play in the bezel? that is my ultimate pet peeve with moveable bezels __________________

1 May 2007, 04:13 AM	#11
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,320	Good job, Jeff. That SD looks like an Explorer without the bezel!! Kinda naked!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

1 May 2007, 10:36 AM	#14
montecristo "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Ken Location: New York Watch: 116234 DateJust Posts: 1,769	Nice pictorial! Someone told me before about not using a toothbrush or any kind of brush on gold surface, I normally just use a can of compressed air to blow dust off watches. I remember seeing some jeweler take off the watch bracelet in put it in some glasses washing machine (sonic something) to wash the bracelet. __________________ My Rolex reference books collection: The Rolex Report: An Unauthorized Reference Book For The Rolex Enthusiast Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover) Vintage Rolex Sports Models: A Complete Visual Reference & Unauthorized History (Hardcover)

1 May 2007, 02:43 AM	#2
C.J. "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: * Posts: 10,196	Nice tutorial, Jeff Thanks

1 May 2007, 03:23 AM	#4
Chris B "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 9,627	Great shots Jeff, thats a neat idea using a piece of tape to secure the ring & spring, I'm definitely gonna steal that, I bet its a really satisfying "click" sound when it snaps back isn't it? lol

1 May 2007, 03:27 AM	#5
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	Nice tutorial, but why didn't you remove the band and clean underneath the endlinks? There is thick gunk after 5 months in that area.

1 May 2007, 09:33 AM	#12
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	I notice with the bezel removed, the inner fixed ring on the case has 4 beveled edges, different from the SUB which is rounded 360. Kind of likethe look without the bezel. Kind of like a 40mm Datejust on Steroids.

1 May 2007, 10:51 AM	#15
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Very cool Jeff Good job!!

1 May 2007, 03:31 PM	#16
mlb Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Chicago, Illinois Watch: DJ Posts: 753	Nice write up Will washing it with soap and water, keep dirt and grime out of the bracelet?

1 May 2007, 06:39 PM	#17
Alex Stylianou "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,785	interesting

1 May 2007, 08:28 PM	#18
greenfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: George Location: Athens Greece Watch: GMT II 16710 Coke Posts: 1,046	I´ll try that someday to my GMT. Untill now I´m just "washing" my watch with water and soap and a toothbrush... __________________ $C:\Documents and Settings\George.HOME\My Documents\My Pictures\Rolex$

1 May 2007, 09:08 PM	#19
G.J "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 2,094	Very nice job....

1 May 2007, 09:13 PM	#20
Flyjet601 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hong Kong Watch: All of them Posts: 2,789	Very nice pictures

1 May 2007, 10:09 PM	#21
Dr Rock "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 58	Excellent write up: thankyou!

2 May 2007, 11:02 PM	#22
butlersl Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Steve Location: AL Watch: Sub-Date Posts: 31	Just cleaned the bezel under my "A" Sub that has been in service since 2000. There was a lot of gunk mainly on the underside of the washer, a little less on the case itself, and the backside of the bezel was somewhere in between. Very easy to do, seems to turn a little more "positively" now, and the spring-on-the-tape trick is very nice.

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