Water Spots on Crystal

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I was under the impression you shouldn't immerse an entire watch in an ultrasonic cleaner.

That is correct sir!

[SSMOKE]

I had water spots on both of my Tudor PELAGOS. No water spots on my SD43 and no water spots on any of my four OMEGAS.

With the exception of baking soda and an ultrasonic cleaner, I tried everything mentioned in this thread. Alcohol, Dawn soap, Simple Green and Vinegar. None made a difference. I then, arguably, haphazardly used a Cape Cod polishing cloth and the crystals are now, well, crystal clear.

Of course, I would not try this on any of my OMEGA's with double AR coating.

I would like to know what causes the water spots. I am in chlorinated, salt and fresh water on a regular basis and all of my seven divers are regularly in bright and warm sunlight.

Again, only both Tudors had water spots. SD43 no water spots and all four OMEGAS, no water spots. (Same use & wearability, BTW.)

[ChronoZach]

Steam it first, I would not be brave enough to use vinegar or baking soda , magic eraser..
Maybe a soap with not heavy detergent.

Good luck,

[Apdl]

Originally Posted by SSMOKE

I had water spots on both of my Tudor PELAGOS. No water spots on my SD43 and no water spots on any of my four OMEGAS.

With the exception of baking soda and an ultrasonic cleaner, I tried everything mentioned in this thread. Alcohol, Dawn soap, Simple Green and Vinegar. None made a difference. I then, arguably, haphazardly used a Cape Cod polishing cloth and the crystals are now, well, crystal clear.

Of course, I would not try this on any of my OMEGA's with double AR coating.

I would like to know what causes the water spots. I am in chlorinated, salt and fresh water on a regular basis and all of my seven divers are regularly in bright and warm sunlight.

Again, only both Tudors had water spots. SD43 no water spots and all four OMEGAS, no water spots. (Same use & wearability, BTW.)

The polishing cloth is a great idea, just abrasive enough to remove the spot but not impact the crystal. Also good call on avoiding the AR coating!

What causes water spots? Minerals and other contaminates in the water are left behind when the water evaporates. I am sure you know this but some minerals interact with contaminates or are dissolved in the water under unique circumstances that make it hard to re-dissolve and wash away

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Wow, I think I figured out what removes water spots. Anyone try this?

Simple green+ultrasound


Genius


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At first glance, I thought that was fryer. On that note, I wonder if a fryer would work for the crystal problem. Can someone give it a try and report back (with video?)?

I had a 2010s sub that had that same problem with the crystal. It wasn't a water spot, although it looked it. It appeared to be some sort of chemical reaction going on in (on?) the surface of the crystal. No cleaning agents would remove it. This certainly should not be happening.

[Jefferyasher]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I was under the impression you shouldn't immerse an entire watch in an ultrasonic cleaner.

If Rolex advertised boiling one of their watches for 10 minutes with no harm, I think an ultrasonic cleaner for a short time should be okay.....

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Jefferyasher

If Rolex advertised boiling one of their watches for 10 minutes with no harm, I think an ultrasonic cleaner for a short time should be okay.....

I hadn’t seen that ad, but boiling a watch is different than the million micro vibrations or whatever it gets put through in an ultrasonic. Almost any article I’ve seen online dissuades against it.

[Yobber76]

I rub my watches with Dawn rinse with tap water dry with micro fiber towel.
Water in Chicago, in SWFL, in my pool, in salt water, I've never seen this on any watch I've owned.

[Jefferyasher]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I hadn’t seen that ad, but boiling a watch is different than the million micro vibrations or whatever it gets put through in an ultrasonic. Almost any article I’ve seen online dissuades against it.

I have read many of those too. While I do see how this could be applicable for an older watch that may develop loose lume or not be pressure tested, the modern watch should be able to with stand the vibrations. When someone wears a Rolex to golf, the watch is exposed to 20-60+ G-forces vibration over and over. Everyone claims the issue is related to the cavitation....some excerpts from comments/discussions form another forum:

If your watch is filled with liquid, an ultrasonic cleaner will do serious damage to it. If the parts inside your watch are air gapped it is impossible for the sound to damage them.

The only way an ultrasonic cleaner can damage parts inside a watch is through hi-frequency vibration of the case. The primary way that can happen is if you put the watch on the bottom of the tank of the cleaner. Nothing should ever touch the ultrasonic cleaners tank where the fluid is. Or said differently, always suspend the object to be cleaned.

Many ultrasonic cleaners have heaters in them. Your watch might not like to be heated to 170°F.

As far as ultrasonic ruining rubber - that's nigh impossible. (Sandblasting cabinets have rubber gloves for a reason.) The little jets of water just bounce off the rubber. If the rubber is old and crumbling then you could have a problem. If your seals are compromised, there's a good chance that there is some oil/dirt in the compromised area. Ultrasonic cleaning will excavate the debris, break the "seal" and introduce water.
Also, there might be gaps so small that surface tension prevents ingress of water, but ultrasonic action will squirt water through.

So, to recap:
The mechanism of cleaning of an ultrasonic machine is cavitation - cavitation can not hurt your sealed watch. BUT, 20,000hz sound waves will shake the entire case.

If your watch has not been pressure tested and there is any doubt about water resistance, avoid all submersion - ultrasonic cleaning, pool, sink of water, etc. If it is an older model that has frail lume, avoid vibrations.

I don't think a blanket statement that ultrasonic cleaners being bad for mechanical watches is accurate. Just like swimming with a watch, you need to take precautions and know your watch.

Again, just my opinion.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

Have the AD watchmaker look at it. They should be able to tell if it’s a coating issue. The fact that it has happened to 2 watches of the OP, I suspect it’s something that the user is inducing. Could be water that is allowed to dry on the crystal. That’s what happens when municipal water dries on a car. There are various water spot removers that work well for automotive water spot removal but they are aggressive and that is why they get the job done. I wouldn’t try on a watch until it’s looked at by a Rolex watchmaker.

Please tell me this is a joke?

You want to take the watch in for an official Rolex watchmaker can look at it, for a water spot on the crystal?

OP. It’s a water mark, wipe it off with some elbow grease and get on with your life.


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[Gearjockey]

Guys, I think I finally figured out the answer here.


This does not really destroy the movement like ultrasonic but definitely gets rid of water spots.

Also, dynamic water pressure is a thing.


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[Apdl]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Guys, I think I finally figured out the answer here.