UPDATE: Use this link to see all the versions of this document: http://wadhome.org/~wad/horology/watches/cleaning_steps/ General process to clean and service a mechanical watch (generic_steps_version_2.txt) WARNING: THIS IS A DRAFT! This document has been looked at and approved by some people, but not many. 2019-08-27 Items needed: Appropriate watch tools Appropriate watch lubrications Ultrasonic cleaning machine Jar #1: Small glass jar full of L&R watch cleaning fluid, with lid Jar #2: Small glass jar full of Zenith Final Rinse fluid, with lid Small closable brass basket Pegwood Watch paper Isopropyl alcohol Timegrapher machine General steps: DISASSEMBLY 1 Remove the watch bracelet. If it's not metal, set aside and clean separately. 2 Open the watch case. 3 Let down the mainspring. 4 Remove the stem with crown. 5 Remove the case clamps. 6 Remove the movement. 7 If the crystal is plastic, remove it from the case. 8 Remove the hands. 9 Separate the dial from the movement. 10 Disassemble the main movement components. 11 Clean the jewels with pegwood. 12 Remove the mainspring from the barrel. CLEANING STAGE 1: soapy water 13 Clean the mainspring with watch paper soaked in alcohol, set aside. 14 Clean the dial with a cotton pad and lukewarm water, dabbing it. Can use pegwood if needed. Set it aside. 15 Clean the hands however appropriate, and set aside. 16 Fill the cleaning machine with warm water, and some liquid dishsoap. 17 Put the small movement pieces in the brass basket, with the balance on top, and put it in the cleaning machine. 18 Put the larger movement pieces, stem, and crown in the cleaning machine. 19 Put the metal bracelet in the cleaning machine. 20 Put the large case pieces in the cleaning machine. 21 Put the plastic crystal (if seperated from the case) in the cleaning machine. 22 Run the cleaning machine for 20 minutes. 23 Remove everything from the cleaning machine. 24 If separated, set the plastic crystal aside, and don't use any more chemicals on it. CLEANING STAGE 2: L&R 25 Put the brass basket in jar #1 (containing L&R cleaning fluid). 26 Put the large movement pieces, stem, and crown in jar #1. 27 Put the case pieces and bracelet in jar #1. (If they are big or dirty, clean them in a separate cycle, or a different jar.) 28 Seal jar #1, put it in the cleaning machine. 29 Run the cleaning machine for 20 minutes., then remove jar #1 from it. CLEANING STAGE 3: Zenith 30 Transfer everything from jar #1 to jar #2 (containing Zenith Final Rinse fluid). 31 Seal jar #2, put it in the cleaning machine. 32 Run the cleaning machine for 20 minutes. 33 Remove everything from jar #2, set aside on watch paper, cover, and allow to dry. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS 34 Inspect all the pieces, make repairs as needed. MOVEMENT REASSEMBLY AND LUBRICATION 35 Lubricate mainspring, and replace in barrel. 36 Reassemble the movement, applying proper lubrication. ADJUSTMENT AND WATCH REASSEMBLY 37 Insert stem. 38 Wind mainspring. 39 Place on timegrapher. 40 Adjust watch speed as needed. 41 Reassemble watch. NOTES You can re-use the fluids in the jars. Replace when they start getting dirty, or after half-a-dozen uses.