Girard Perregaux

Friends,

A bit of DIY knowledge goes a long way.

Today I opened up the faucet heads and cleared away the sediment that builds up. This blockage causes the water pressure to reduce. Simple to do and it makes a BIG difference.






What’s my point?

Learn a bit about how to maintain your watches. How to clean it. How to store it and use it. How to add a link. How to remove a hairline scratch. Don’t rely on authorized dealers and service centers for the basics.

Here I have pics of my 41 mm laureato anniversary ref 81000. I wear them but I also know how to clean them and such to maintain it’s condition.






What do you guys think? More than you can handle or a topic you are interested in as well? Would you like to learn some tips on how to clean and maintain your watches as well?

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As for plumbing, I know how to take care of it! ;-)

Please send a few pictures as a start. Zoomed out and then zoomed in. That is a good start.

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So this finish is a satin brushed finish. Actually Satin is a less pronounced graining than Brushed but these days, the terms are used interchangeably and even mixed to be called Satin Brushed.

High polish is always easier for scratch removal.

Scratch 1
It is more of a scuff. It looks worse than it is. The white part of the scratch could also partially be the surface of that colored with the bezel. A wall edged perhaps. Have you tried to clean it with a damp cloth?

There are ways to refinish this DIY but if you are new to this, it will be a bit scary to you. It will involve reapplying the satin finish to the bezel. 3-M ultra fine flat pad and 800 -1000 grit sandpaper.

Scratch 2

This is hardline and easy to remove with the same 3-M ultra fine flat pad.

I assume it he bezel is made of stainless steel?

As there are the exposed bolt heads as well, one must be careful to not scratch them in the process.

A professional would remove the bezel from the case and refinish it.

So in a nutshell, I can be done DIY but not for someone new to doing this type of stuff.

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Very helpful. Best, Emmanuel

Even the plumbing is greatly appreciated👌🏽. 

What specific question do you have as a priority?

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I believe others have previously said dish soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. I remain deathly afraid of applying soap that I can’t then reliably clean off…and I’m not comfortable ‘submerging’ a watch even under running water given the question of every watch’s WR. So it’s just easier for me to not clean them to avoid risk. What is your approach that doesn’t cause anxiety?🤔

A baby tooth brush with extra soft bristles is ok for stainless steel. Not for gold.

A horsehair natural brush is good for both stainless steel and gold.

Gentle brushing and NOT like you are trying to shine an army boot.



Dishing washing soap mixed with water or carpet foam shampoo is fine.



I always keep the crown and pushers side facing down so that water and soap run off flows always from the case.

I shield the water from the tap when rinsing off by holding the watch case in a closed fist and the water from the tap hits my fist and not the case directly.

I even use a misting bottle spray to rinse off the water.

I pay dry with a paper towel. Do not wipe with the paper towel.

For bracelet, if you can remove your bracelet, you can use an ultrasonic machine to clean. They can be had now for usd 10/-

If not convenient to remove, use the same method to clean as for the case.

You can also use a waterpik for teeth cleaning to target the bracelet to get into the recesses. Do not aim at the case. Hold the case with a clenched fist 🤜 and it is safe.

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https://youtube.com/shorts/Y07EsARbwe0?si=vK25HCYivE-z_ENy




Carpet shampoo








After cleaning

Try it out. You will be fine.

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I think a lot of us rely on AD’s or certified watchmakers. Would be great with more general knowledge on this topic.
Thanks ☺️

But for some basics, I think best that we learn to do it ourselves.

I have had my watches scratched by the sales guys at ADs who added links for me.

The other thing about always needed someone else to do the basic for us is that we need up taking forever to get it done.

For cleaning, links and strap changes at a minimum, I think this is well witching moats folks capabilities.

See my comments above for some examples.

Glad you find it interesting and of some benefit.

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Have a good weekend

Have you heard of the method to remove a strap using dental floss? 😄

I use this method when the strap is a very snug fit between the lugs and I don’t want to damage the strap.

https://youtu.be/UG5rRt4oZ0Q?si=ejy5wInUd003MVz2

see recent thread on lying about flossing...

I use this method to remove tight fitting straps or where the shoulders of the spring bars are not pronounced enough for the metal tools/forks to catch.

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