Rolex 3135 mainspring with black dry lubricant

[steve1811uk]

Hi, I just opened a Rolex barrel from 3135 movement and it was absolutely full of a fine black powder. Just wondering if that is normal or not. Also best way to re-lubricate as I will be fitting a new mainspring. Thanks.

[Klassiker]

I have no experience of Rolex, but that doesn't seem normal. Do you know about the history of this watch? The barrel appears to have been dry for a long time, judging by the wear on the inside of the lid. In any case, it needs a good clean and fresh grease.

[steve1811uk]

The watch is from 1990 and was serviced just once around 20 years ago. No idea if the mainspring barrel was ever opened or changed before now.

[JohnR725]

Do you have the service manual for 3135 as it would explain the procedure

then in the absence of that the current procedure for modern mainsprings would be breaking grease on the outer wall as it's an automatic watch. The mainsprings are considered prelubricated no lubrication is required. Then the arbor is lubricated with a suitable lubrication.

Typically the only time you see well I haven't ever seen anything quite like that Rolex but Seiko watches often the barrel is filled with some sort of I believe graphite-based lubricant. Or if too much breaking grease was applied in it leaks out but that would be a heck of a lot of breaking grease.

I wonder if the black would be molybdenum disulfide? There is a variation of 8200 Quite remember the number were a little bit of molybdenum disulfide Which is a really nice high-pressure powder is mixed in with the eighth 200 and maybe they applied a heaping quantity of that?

[AndyGSi]

Haven't handled a Rolex in a long time but that's not natural.

If the barrel is still useable then just grease as normal.

[rehajm]

It looks like after rolex someone serviced the barrel with way too much P-125 chronogrease- either that or coffee grounds. Clean it up and you’ll be good to go…

https://www.jewelerssupplies.com/chronogrease-p-125-420.008.html

Edited 4 hours ago by rehajm