Filling quartz movement with oil

[fuzz1]

Hi
I saw a video on YouTube saw someone filling a quartz movement with silicon oil. Completely filling it up. And as per the video it was still working. I was wondering if it's some prank or is it something that can be done without causing the watch to stop.

 

[Al J]

It can be done - some makers sell quartz watches filled with oil. One is German company Sinn...

Sinn Uhren: HYDRO

 

[DeweyC]

It can be done - some makers sell quartz watches filled with oil. One is German company Sinn...

Sinn Uhren: HYDRO

Thank you Al and Fuzz1. I thought this was a joke. Is the motor also immersed?

 

[Skutt50]

Next question.

What oil is used to oil the pivots? Does anyone possibly have an oil chart?

 

[Skutt50]

Actually it would make a good divers watch. If filled 100% it could probably take any preassure way beyond what is possible to survive as a diver......

 

[Al J]

Yes, the movement is completely submerged.

"The movement, dial and hands are immersed directly in a crystal-clear bath of oil. The watch is thus free from fogging, as there is no air inside the case."

Here's an example of one model:

Sinn Uhren: Modell UX

Uses an ETA 955.652

It's a common "mod" done by collectors on watch forums, to fill a quartz watch with oil.

 

[Raymond101]

Yes, the movement is completely submerged.

"The movement, dial and hands are immersed directly in a crystal-clear bath of oil. The watch is thus free from fogging, as there is no air inside the case."

Here's an example of one model:

Sinn Uhren: Modell UX

Uses an ETA 955.652

It's a common "mod" done by collectors on watch forums, to fill a quartz watch with oil.

O Look at the price . Price including solid bracelet 2300.00 € .
I have a watch its 100 years and it just full of air & dust and works fine . I don't see the benefit

 

[fuzz1]

Hi
Check on YouTube have a few where they fill the movement in silicon oil. Thought it was some prank

 

[Al J]

O Look at the price . Price including solid bracelet 2300.00 € .
I have a watch its 100 years and it just full of air & dust and works fine . I don't see the benefit

If you don't see the benefit, then I would suggest you don't buy one. But if we are going to approach every purchase decision based on what is "beneficial" then realize that there's no benefit in using a 100 year old watch powered by a spring to tell time, when you can buy a $20 quartz watch that will do the job far better and doesn't require near as much maintenance.

And I say that as someone who repairs and services those anachronistic spring powered watches to earn a living...

 

[DeweyC]

If you don't see the benefit, then I would suggest you don't buy one. But if we are going to approach every purchase decision based on what is "beneficial" then realize that there's no benefit in using a 100 year old watch powered by a spring to tell time, when you can buy a $20 quartz watch that will do the job far better and doesn't require near as much maintenance.

And I say that as someone who repairs and services those anachronistic spring powered watches to earn a living...

Seiko Ecodrive, Omega Coaxial, G-B, etc. Some people buy for the technology, including RR watch collectors. None of the choices are rational from an economics point of view. (We all have cell phones; ie gps timing)

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Do a Google search on "hydromod watch"

Not my thing, but a thing none the less....

 

[Incroyable]

The original electronic watches cost way more than $20.

For example the Beta 21 looks extremely shoddy and rudimentary today but the top Swiss watch firms spent millions of francs and untold manpower developing it.

 

[Incroyable]

If you don't see the benefit, then I would suggest you don't buy one. But if we are going to approach every purchase decision based on what is "beneficial" then realize that there's no benefit in using a 100 year old watch powered by a spring to tell time, when you can buy a $20 quartz watch that will do the job far better and doesn't require near as much maintenance.

And I say that as someone who repairs and services those anachronistic spring powered watches to earn a living...

Or a 19th century marine chronometer versus a $10 quartz alarm clock from Amazon.

 

[Mk2]

Just as a point of interest, having just read the comment about divers' watches...

In marine electronics, it is common practice to completely immerse "the workings" in oil. Such as submarine side scan sonar arrays, torpedo guidance systems, various hydrophones etc. In fact, instead of having a hard case or enclosure, one end is often an acoustically transparent soft resin window. 'Silly' ocean depths are possible that way, with the only limitation being the viscosity of the oil changing with temperature.

 

[fuzz1]

Hi

Just following on that post. I got a watch with a quartz movement eta F03.111. Changed the battery and the movement would not work. I tried an electromagnet and the hands moved but once moved away from the magnet it stopped. Out of despair i tried it a few more times. And surprisingly it started to work again.

I pull the crown to adjust the time and after putting it back it started to move like it steps of four seconds as if the battery was running flat. Then after a minute or so of running started to work normally.

I am wondering if the wheels are clogged. Servicing a quartz movement is not really the thing to do.

So I was wondering what about using some silicon oil spray and just spray the movement lightly.
Anyone tried that?
I know its probably a clogged movement and tempted to immerse it in oil to see the outcome

 

[Mk2]

Being a movement based on plastic wheels (gears and pivots), no lubrication is needed as the plastic used is self lubricating (very low friction) against steel or jewels.

If it were me, I'd remove the whole movement, give it a wash in one dip (brake and clutch cleaner) and bung it all back together again. Chances are that a bit of fluff has got in there, which is causing the erratic behaviour. See if you can see anything wrapped around one of the pivots.

 

[fuzz1]

Hi

Thank you for replying. Should i dip the movement as a whole in the cleaner with maybe just the coil removed? Or should the movement be completely stripped and then clean?

 

[karlmansson]

Hi

Thank you for replying. Should i dip the movement as a whole in the cleaner with maybe just the coil removed? Or should the movement be completely stripped and then clean?

The "Dunk n' Swish" has been around for as long as there has been watches and people in a rush or in a rush to get paid and not expect repeat customers.

I don't normally service quartz either but I would treat it as any other movement. Either you replace the movement or you service it. Take it apart and clean it as you would a mechanical watch. For plastic gears and electronics I would recommend using IPA rather than One Dip. One Dip is mostly tri- and tetrafluoroethylene which is an extremely aggressive solvent and very noxious to breathe. I would be concerned it would dissolve some laquers that are on wires. IPA is tried and true in electronic repairs.

Regards
Karl

 

[Nickelsilver]

Hi

Thank you for replying. Should i dip the movement as a whole in the cleaner with maybe just the coil removed? Or should the movement be completely stripped and then clean?

One of the biggest stoppers of quartz watches is magnetic debris stuck to the rotor. A poorly sized screwdriver knocking a micro sliver out of a screw slot, that sliver will find its way to the rotor and stop the watch. The only way to get the rotor truly clean is to disassemble.

 

[Mk2]

Yeah, I'd also dismantle and clean. My preference for one dip (brake and clutch cleaner) over IPA is only bacause I find it leaves a cleaner result. Added bonus is it dries faster too and leaves no residue.

The 'enamelling' used on motor winding wire is usually polyurethane based, which is pretty much resistant to just about everything. It's known as a "cross linked polymer", which needs either heat, ionising radiation or physical removal to get through it. It's safe with just about any solvent.

 

[Wimberleytech]

To be clear, "silicon" and "silicone" are two different substances.

 

[fuzz1]

Hi

Thank you all for those replies.

In fact I am no professional watch maker and don't make any money from watches.
I ended dismantling watches after getting my watches scratched by the watch representatives here without even an apology.

These watches I have been opening are mine and the ones for the wife.

Yes the Quartz Movement F03.111 is rather cheap. But I could not resist trying to revive it and wanted to know your thoughts about silicon oil.

I guess a watch drenched in silicon oil will be messy if it was not designed for it. Pulling the crown to adjust date and time will be messy even if the seals are good and do not leak any oil