Hi,Hey all,
I just thought i'd post up some pictures I took while giving my GMT II bracelet the spa treatment. I've blended two different techniques that I have previously heard about on the forums into what I think works even better.
What You Will Need:
- A flat-head screwdriver in order to undo one of your bracelet links. You can also use a knife tip or even the ends of your tweezers for this (I have used both before) but I would advise you go with the screw driver since it is a lot easier and you will avoid scratches
- A zip-lock bag
- Tweezers: you wont need these if you have the special device needed to remove the spring-bars. If you don't have the tool, tweezers work great!
- Baby Oil
- Vaseline
- Disposable Gloves: Trust me it gets messy otherwise
1. Disconnect the Clasp
Undo one of your link screws in order to disconnect one half of your bracelet from the other, this will make handling the watch and undoing the spring-bars much easier.
2. Remove Spring-Bars
You'll have to widen the gap between your tweezers a bit for this, which is perfect since it creates a bit of it's own resistance, this comes in handy. Place the corner of your tweezer-edge into holes on either side of your SELs and try to grip the ribs of the spring bars (this may take a bit of practice but after the first one it's easy!) Squeeze the tweezers in order to remove the lock between the lugs and SEL and with your other hand pull the bracelet to separate from the case. Quickly slide the spring bar out from the SEL in order to avoid it shooting out and keep it somewhere safe. Do the same for the other side. Your bracelet should now be separated from your case and in two pieces.
3. Clean the Bracelet
Fill up a bowl or container with a mixture of warm water and detergent. Drop the bracelet into the solution and work the links for a bit to remove lodged dirt. leave it in the solution for another 10 minutes and then work the links again. Remove the bracelet, rinse with water and dry it.
4. Baby Oil Bath
Drop the bracelet into one of your zip-locks and add baby oil until the bracelet is submerged. Seal up the bag and again start to work the links and move the bracelet around. Set the bag aside overnight or longer if you wish. In the morning remove the bracelet from the bag and rinse off the baby oil with water - you should find the bracelet will be a lot more flexible and a softer feel to it, while also having a nice satin sheen to it and a great smell!
5. Coat it With Vaseline
This is where the magic really starts! Once your bracelet has been rinsed of the excess baby oil and dried grab your Vaseline and a disposable glove (this sounds like it is heading in the wrong direction, but bear with me!). Scoop up a generous amount of Vaseline and start massaging it into the bracelet, you can work the links again if you wish. Now place the Vaseline coated bracelet into your second zip-lock bag and set aside for a few hours (even an hour is fine)
6. Clean and Re-attach
Clean off the excess Vaseline with a towel, make sure you try to get into the crevices as it can be uncomfortable to find bits of missed Vaseline on your wrist later. Once the bracelet is cleaned, do the same thing with the spring bars and re-attach your bracelet.
7. Enjoy!
You should not find that the bracelet has the beautiful satin-sheen from the baby-oil but with a much more gen-like feel to it from the Vaseline. You're getting the best of both worlds. And even better yet, your bracelet should now be a lot cleaner!
Let me know if it works for you, and post up some pics of your slick new bracelets
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alternate Solutions:
Here are a few alternate solutions posted in the responses to this thread:
- [MENTION=9347]P4GTR[/MENTION] has a great thread up and he - with many other members - swear by Rock'n'Roll White Lightning dry lube
- @Mech500 has an interesting suggestion, swapping out the oil and Vaseline with shampoo!
- [MENTION=66956]egroegart[/MENTION] steers clear of the greases and lubes and goes for an old-fashioned rinse and scrub
i know its an old post but wanted you to know that I used your guide on my vsf oyster bracelet and It feels way better now. so thanks a lot