Watch oil for mechanism lubrication

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

When a watch breaks down, this is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. A special liquid can help with this.

What is the oil for?

Application of a special lubricant to the clock mechanism is necessary to prevent or reduce friction, wear of surfaces, and also to protect the device from corrosion.

Oil for lubricating the clockwork must be suitable for its purpose and spread evenly over all parts. To do this, even at the production stage, it is checked for lubricity. That is, watch oil is tested in the liquid friction mode. And if it has the necessary lubricity (the ability to resist normal pressure and not burst), then only then it is used to repair mechanisms.

As a rule, oiliness directly depends on the composition. For example, bone fluids have better lubricity than mineral fluids.

Main types of domestic oils

Special products are used to lubricate a clockwork or similar device. For example, fordevices that operate under normal conditions, you can use oils like MTs-3, MPB-12, MCHM-5 or MZP-6. If the mechanism is often located in open space and at low temperatures, then it is recommended to use MH-60 watch oil or similar types of this brand. For example, MH-45 and MH-30.

In devices designed to operate in countries with a tropical climate, watch oils of the MChT and MPT type are usually used. Such products contain antiseptic additives that prevent bacteria and other fungal organisms from developing. Such watch oils include MPT-3 and MChT-3. Among other things, such products undergo various tests at the production stage. This helps to increase moisture resistance and chemical stability.

Domestic oil for microknots

Also worth mentioning is the RS-1. It is a low melting, soft watch oil with a yellow or light brown tint intended for general use. But such a lubricant is rarely used for the entire mechanism, since it has a low tensile strength and is held on the nodes only due to capillary force. Nevertheless, such watch oil has some advantages over other types of similar products. For example, it is more frost-resistant and keeps well in the device even at temperatures over 100 ° C. That is why it is best to apply this type of lubricant only to micro nodes, and not to the entire movement of the watch.

Foreign oils

There are many foreign brand lubricants, but the most popular is Moebius. It is Swiss-made watch oil, which is of the highest quality and resistant to temperature extremes. That is, in fact, it can be used in any conditions, regardless of climate and place of residence.

From the main products of this manufacturer, we can distinguish:

• Moebius 8000 watch oils are natural products that are designed to be applied to the main parts of the device. In addition, it is often used to lubricate the transfer mechanisms and alarm springs. The main feature of this oil is that it does not spread when applied. Simply put, such a lubricant has sufficient rigidity.
• Moebius Synt-A-Lube 9010. This is a synthetic oil with high resistance to temperature extremes (from +70 °C to -29 °C) and viscosity grade. Typically, Moebius Synt-A-Lube is intended for stones, triggers, bearings and balances of medium to large devices. For example, they lubricate antique wall, floor or wall clocks. It is also popular among craftsmen who repair counters and various mechanical measuring instruments.
• MOEBIUS D5 is a multipurpose oil for minimizing friction and significant stress on the movement. Designed for non-moving parts of small and medium-sized devices, as well as for lubricating pallet stones and gears.

Oil application recommendations

As mentioned earlier, the accuracy of the watch will largely depend on the correct lubrication. Therefore, it is important to follow some rules. For example, lubricant should be applied only with the help of special devices, oilers, which reduce the chances of useless fluid consumption. And before you start repairing the watch mechanism, it must be thoroughly cleaned of dust.

The oil is applied step by step: from the main mechanism to the balance stones.

Lubrication order

The oil is applied in stages:

1. Lubrication of the main mechanism. Oil is supplied to the spring, then to the places of interaction with the drum and between the wheels. To do this, it is recommended to use MTs-3 or equivalent.
2. Lubrication of the wheel system. To work with manual or pocket watches, MZP-6 and MChM-5 are usually used. The oil is applied to eight points on the wheel system (four trunnions on top and four on the bottom).
3. Repair Grease. As a rule, such devices are most often used in pocket watches in order to start them without a key. To work with it, you can use MTs-3 or RS-1 oils. But keep in mind that RS-1 is not used for the entire mechanism, but only for part of it. For example, such oil can be lubricated with a transfer lever (a small protrusion in the fixture). MTs-3 is most suitable for gears, winding shaft and trunnion.
4. Lubrication of the pointer mechanism and escapement system. For this procedure, MZP-6 and MBP-12 are used. Sooil lubricates the bill of exchange and the central wheel or its upper part, as well as the descent system. At the same time, it is worth remembering that MBP-12 does not need to be applied to the pins of the anchor fork, because then the clock will stop and it will have to be repaired.
5. Lubricating balance stones. This process uses MBP-12 oil or a similar fluid. It is important to apply lubricant before starting the assembly procedure on clean stones without dirt deposits.

And most importantly, when performing all of the above operations, you should carefully monitor the amount of oil. Too much lubricant applied can damage the movement of the watch and require repair. The recommended amount of liquid in the oilers is 1/3 of the height of the device.