Rep Movement Factory Lubrication

[Soxxgo2]

So I’m curious as to whether rep movements are typically lubricated when they’re initially assembled. If they are, do they take the time to lubricate the balance cap jewels, barrel walls, etc etc? I’m sure there are quite a few members that have stripped down brand new movements, so I’m curious to see what they look like in terms of lunrication.

Maybe there is also a difference between manufacturers on this. I know that generally the movements are somewhat dirty and have manufacturing shavings etc inside, but I’m just curious about the lubrication part.

 

[m5750]

So I’m curious as to whether rep movements are typically lubricated when they’re initially assembled. If they are, do they take the time to lubricate the balance cap jewels, barrel walls, etc etc? I’m sure there are quite a few members that have stripped down brand new movements, so I’m curious to see what they look like in terms of lunrication.

Maybe there is also a difference between manufacturers on this. I know that generally the movements are somewhat dirty and have manufacturing shavings etc inside, but I’m just curious about the lubrication part.

I feel a large consensus is that after buying a rep, to have it serviced if you plan to keep it for a while. To answer your question, I believe it's hit or miss with any of the factories. You can check with a 15x loupe if the balance caps are oiled. I have some that were amazing and some that were dry. You bring a difficult question to answer the table

 

[Soxxgo2]

I feel a large consensus is that after buying a rep, to have it serviced if you plan to keep it for a while. To answer your question, I believe it's hit or miss with any of the factories. You can check with a 15x loupe if the balance caps are oiled. I have some that were amazing and some that were dry. You bring a difficult question to answer the table

Yeah I definitely believe that it’s hit or miss. I would think that some of the higher end manufacturers that’s make movements like the dd3285, dd4131 and VS movements commit to some sort of regular lubrication. Maybe??

 

[m5750]

Yeah I definitely believe that it’s hit or miss. I would think that some of the higher end manufacturers that’s make movements like the dd3285, dd4131 and VS movements commit to some sort of regular lubrication. Maybe??

I'm not too sure. I know the majority of my reps have VS movements. I've found one with some dry spots, but it didn't really surprise me. I do think though, that a lot of these timepieces are probably great quality but would run a hell of a lot longer if they were serviced. At the price point, even the higher end factories probably kind of do it, and maybe not haha. Just my guess

 

[WatchSmith.US]

It’s hit or miss. Some are correctly lubricated and some are swimming in oil. More often it’s over oiling than under oiling, and likely done by multiple untrained people on an assembly line.