Watch Oil

[Marko375]

I have an old bottle of Nye's Watch Oil in
with some stuff I bought recently.

I think its organic(Whale), it is clear and has a loose "gelatin" cosistancy, but flows in the bottle. It has quite an odor.

Q: Is it possible this old oil is usable?

Q: How does it rate against modern oils?

Thanks
Mark

[Marko375]

I have an old bottle of Nye's Watch Oil in
with some stuff I bought recently.

I think its organic(Whale), it is clear and has a loose "gelatin" cosistancy, but flows in the bottle. It has quite an odor.

Q: Is it possible this old oil is usable?

Q: How does it rate against modern oils?

Thanks
Mark

[GandalfPC]

Not sure if the Nye oil is natural, but if it is and smells strongly, I wouldn't use it.

The newer synthetic oils are superior to the older natural oils, allowing you to clean and oil the watch less frequently, which in the end will mean a longer lasting more trouble free watch.

The old oils forced you to clean the watch every year or two at the most - even if the watch is left unused (or so I understand it, as natural oils will spoil, and gum up)

The new oils are good for at least two years, and I have read that if left unused the oil will still be good 5 or 10 years later.

If the watch is used every day it should be cleaned and oiled every 2 years, even with synthetic oil (probably every 1 year for natural), to prevent small dust particles from getting into the oil and forming a grinding powder that will wear away the pivots.

[Kent]

Mark:

Here's an 1888 AD for Nye Watch Oil (http://elginwatches.org/scans/misc_ads/1888/s_nye_watch_oil.html). It doesn't actually say that its made from whale oil, but the picture would sure lead you to believe that is. The statement above the picture, "Taking William F. Nye's Watch ... Oil," sort of indicates that it is whale oil. Additionally, being made in New Bedford, Mass, you wouldn't expect it to be distilled for Pennsylvania crude.

Nye had a competitor whose ad was on the prevcious page of the same trade journal. Ezra Kelley's Ad (http://elginwatches.org/scans/misc_ads/1888/s_kelleys_watch_oil.html) doesn't say that his product is derived from whale oil eilther. But again, the title of the picture is "Manner of Procuring the Stock ..." may indicate the source. Kelley is also in New Bedford.

Kent :smile:

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 10-05-2002).]

Edited to change to more permanent links.

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 10-07-2002).]

[Marko375]

Still going through my materials. After
a few years things get forgotten.
Found another (newer looking) bottle of Nye's. This one doesn't have the odor that the older one has.

Those 19th century adds are a world away.

Thanks for the responses. Very good info.
Mark

[lots of time]

I also have a very old bottle of watch oil that stinks to high heaven... I dont use it but the cat seems very interested in it when I let him sniff it!!

[Eric Kroon]

speaking of watch oil, i have several small triangle shaped bottles that say elgin on them they come with a little red plastic base and are about 1 1/2 tall! Are these watch oil bottles? thanx