The Process
- All watches are thoroughly examined prior to work taking place and an estimate quoted.
- Jewel holes, pivots and moving parts are examined for wear.
- The correct working of the escapement is checked and any adjustments are made.
- Correct adjustment of end shake tolerances in all moving parts is undertaken.
- Ultrasonic and infrasonic cleaning methods are used for super cleaning of the movement.
- A special process called ‘Epilame’ is then undertaken. This is the application of a substance called ‘Fixodrop’ which is a coating applied to specific parts of the movement to fix oil to one place and prevent it migrating to parts of the movement where oil is detrimental to the running of the watch.
- The watch is assembled and oiled using up to 5 different oils.
- Why use 5 oils?
- The viscosity of oil is measured in ‘Stoke’. Oil used on the fast moving Balance wheel has a viscosity of 11.5 stoke whereas the oil used on a
slow moving centre wheel which has great side pressure exerted on it from the mainspring barrel has a stoke of 750. Oil used on the jewel lever escapement has a viscosity of 100.
- Wheels and levers performing different functions require specific oils to work efficiently. Some watch repairers use only one or two oils clearly this is not sufficient. There are over ten oils available and many
types of grease. It is necessary to follow manufactures technical data and not take short cuts. Would you run your car day and night for ten years without changing the oil? Some people are proud of their watch never having been serviced.
- Assembled watches are electronically timed and checked in various positions for any developing faults using sophisticated machines.
- A final timing check is then made by tracking the second hand of the watch against the second hand of a radio-controlled clock.
- The watchcase and bracelet are polished and re grained to as near new condition as possible. This can take up to an hour to complete as different grades of polishes, buffs and various other cleaning methods are used.
- Watch cases are checked for water resistance using specifically designed machines. A dry vacuum test is carried out followed by a wet test in a pressurised wet tank and finally a perspiration test.
- Rolex watch cases are opened and closed using specialised casing tools only available from Rolex.
- Genuine Rolex spare parts can only be obtained from Rolex by approved repairers.
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