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Techniques

Basic Guide to Watch Lubrication

One of the most important aspects of watch repair is lubrication. Because of this, i’ve spend a lot of my time reading, watching and absortbing information on everything you need to know about the subject. I’m still a beginner - so be aware of that - but hopefully this guide below should give you a basic outline to refer to help you get started. The info below is an aculmiation of everything i’ve learnt from various sources.

What Lubrication’s do I need?

There are many different types of lubrications - this guide focuses on just the basic lubricants to get you started and should be enjoy when serving the most basic mechnical watch with no complications. Below are the lubricants you will need and what they do.

  • HP1300 or D5: This is probably going to be your most used lubricant
  • Moebius 9504: This is a thick grease used when metal on metal contact. Basically the entire of the keyless works. 9504 was recommended by Watch Repair Turorials who uses it as a personal choice although I think its more common to use Moebius 9501. Due to the simple fact i didn’t own 9501 at the time i decided to stick with Watch Repair Tutorials recommendation and use 9504.
  • Moebius 9415: Moebius 9415 is a high-quality synthetic grease commonly used to lubricate the pallets and escapement in mechanical watch movements.
  • Moebius 9504: Moebius 9504 is a premium synthetic oil designed for high-pressure points in watch movements, offering excellent stability and low friction over a wide temperature range.

Keyless Works:

  • Setting Lever Screw: Put some Moebius 9504. Place inside the slot and rotate it a few times to spread it about.
  • Winding Stem: It has a lot of lubrication points. Moebius 9504. This includes just below where the ridged section ends (point 1), the grooved/area indent area (point 2), all 4 sides of the rectangular cubed section, (point 3), and finally the pin/pinon at the very tip of the stem (point 4).
  • Sliding Pinion: 3 little daps of Moebius 9504 spaced out across the teeth of the sliding pinion (on the side that meshes with the winding wheel). 
  • Sliding Pinion (2): Moebius 9504 In the area where the setting lever rests. Spin the crown and stem around to spread it about. 
  • Posts: Need to lubricate 4 posts in the keyless works with Moebius 9504. This includes the post for the Yolk and the two posts for the 2 intermediate wheels, and the minute wheel post. A small amount of lubricant should be applied to the top side of the post (right under the top edge). When you put the wheels down it will automatically spread the lubricant about. 

Friction Points of the Keyless Works:

  • A small amount of Moebius 9504 applied to the friction point between where the yolk and the setting lever meet. Applied to the head of the yolk on its side. 
  • A small amount is applied to the knuckle of the Yolk where the yolk spring comes into contact with it. 
  • Setting Lever Jumper: Lubricate the post with Moebius 9504 that the setting lever jumper ‘jumps’ between or lubricate the two grooves (first and second positions) of the setting lever jumper itself. 

Barrel Bridge:

(This document does not include the lubrication of the Barrel and main string).

  • Barrel: HP1300 or D5 applied to the bottom of the Barrel in the right angle where the arbor sticks from the Barrel (in between the pivot and the shoulder). Same thing to be applied on the top of the barrel as well (the square shaped pivot). 

  • Crown Wheel: The lubrication goes on the crown ring once it’s been placed on the crown wheel post. Moebius 9504 is applied to the right angle/intersection point where to post meet the mainplate. 

  • Escape Wheel: Adding lubrication on every third tooth of the escape wheel. Lubricate with Moebius 9415. This is not an ideal way of lubricating the teeth of the escape wheel but a beginners method of doing so. Ideally you would add the lubricant to the pallet stone faces themselves which, in turn, will distribute it to the teeth evenly when moving around. 

  • Top and bottom Jewels (for balance/shock setting): Once the jewels have been removed from their shock settings and cleaned a small amount of Moebius 9010 needs to be applied to the jewel(s) covering 50-80% of the area of the stone.

Train of Wheels

  • Center Wheel: HP1300 or D5 on the area where the pivot is coming out of the jewel within the recess also known as the oil sink. Both sides (dial up and dial down).
  • Third Wheel: HP1300 or D5 same as above.
  • Fourth Wheel:  Moebius 9010 (same as above).
  • Escape Wheel: Moebius 9010 (same as above).