Rolex 1030 Technical Docs and/or Reversing Wheel Oiling Help

[mzinski]

Hello, 

Working on an old, well-worn Rolex caliber 1030. Little bit of rust and oxidation but I think it'll come back together just fine. 

In anticipation of oiling the automatic works, I wonder if anyone can share the Rolex cal. 1030 technical documents OR provide oiling recommendations for the reversing wheels? 

TIA! 

[Rafael]

Had the same problem with even a newer Rolex caliber. The service manuals, if exists, lists outdated oils and greases. Just oil it as you'll oil any other watch - if it not sitting in a jewel (which i believe is not), use D5 or HP1300.

Edited October 14, 2020 by Rafael

[VWatchie]

I believe you might find this post and this link very interesting. Scroll down the page of the link and you'll find a description of how to service Rolex reversers. Good luck!

From the link:

"Epilame is fundamental to proper functioning of the Rolex style reversers because their click systems in the reverser have only one pivot while the other side of the click rests flat against the inside of the reverser. Should oil find its way to this spot the reverser will fail to function properly."

Edited October 14, 2020 by VWatchie

[mzinski]

5 hours ago, VWatchie said:

I believe you might find this post and this link very interesting. Scroll down the page of the link and you'll find a description of how to service Rolex reversers. Good luck!

From the link:

"Epilame is fundamental to proper functioning of the Rolex style reversers because their click systems in the reverser have only one pivot while the other side of the click rests flat against the inside of the reverser. Should oil find its way to this spot the reverser will fail to function properly."

Interesting, thank you. I wonder if the Epilame treatment holds true for older models like the cal. 1030 that doesn’t have the magenta reversing wheels. 
The system appears similar with a saw tooth gear and click that acts to stop a wheel in one direction. 

[mzinski]

Also of interest is an oiling chart for a 3035. It shows a number of lubrication points on the reversing wheels. 

[Tudor]

That's the old 3035 sheet, which I also have.

This sheet caused a lot of over-lubricated reversers.

Honestly, (in my opinion) you are better off thoroughly cleaning the reversers, and running them dry (other than main jeweled pivots of course) than trying to properly lubricate those "red" reversers. Worst case you need to replace them in ten years. But that's preferable to an automatic module that won't wind in one, or both, directions, again, in my opinion. They are easy enough to get as replacements.

If you can properly treat and then properly lubricate the reversers, that's fine. But I feel it's up there in "fiddliness" with hairspring manipulation. I choose to run them dry and oil the jeweled pivots only.

On the ladies movement, the situation may be quite different. I've never worked a small Rolex movement (yet- wife may want one), but I'd probably do the oil/solvent cocktail (after thorough cleaning), allow the solvent to evaporate, and then oil the pivots only after the cocktail has fully evaporated.

I'd like to hear other replies to this, for possible future need myself!