The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was at the jewlers today picking up some jewlery and saw them using a steaming device to clean rings. Works great stuff looks new.

Would this be recommended on watches? How about the Navitimers with their limited WR?

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Certified watch nut.

Steam cleaners generate a lot of heat which could possibly affect the lubrication in the bearings of the movement if used for any length of time as the case will get very hot very quickly (I have a steam cleaner at my work and have used it on watches before) but they are excellent for removing the dirt in a metal bracelet. Also they produce a lot of pressure so water could penetrate any weak areas. They will not polish at all so their only use is for dirt removal which in most cases could be done by using a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water which is less risky. In jewellery you get a lot of dirt building up under stones and mounts so steam cleaning is a very good way to clean a ring. Ultrasonic cleaners can loosen stones which is why steam is better!!

Couldnt ask for a more informative reply, thanks Mark

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Certified watch nut.

My pleasure indeed.

Altair,
I purchased a B-1 from my AD in January. On the back as you know, it has the turbine styled case back which functions as a resonating chamber. Well, the blades had glue all over them from the sticker with the price and model number. The AD insisted that the steam cleaning would not harm the back so he went ahead and did it. Looks brand new and I have had no problems with the watch yet, but if I had to do it all over again, I would insist that it not be done. Proceed with caution......

Bob-

Yes a steam cleaner won't harm in small doses. I recently had to re-polish a complete case (no movt in it) and used the steam to clean the polishing residue - the case got so hot in just a minute that I could not hold it (and I'm used to holding hot things) hence the warning. Usually I could not imagine a watch getting dirty enough to warrant steam cleaning although bracelets do get very dirty with sweat and grime in which case steam rocks!!!