When to re-clean and re-oil?

[Scouseget]

I think I know the answer, but I've been wrong before......

I recently overhauled a nice old pocket watch, including complete dismantling, cleaning, reassembly, and lubricating. As it happens, something wasn't quite right which necessitated completely disassembling it again (ok., so I forgot to install a component), this resolved the problem so I reassembled it, and tested it and all was fine. My question is, should I have cleaned it again once it was disassembled and then re-lubricated it?. As it happens, it's still working fine, but I'm worried that the oil may now have spread to nasty places when I disassembled then reassembled it - or am I worrying over nothing? Is there a golden rule regarding cleaning and lubricating every time you tear a movement apart?

Thanks, and cheers from snowy Edmonton.

[anilv]

Generally yes. 

The correct way is to assemble, then oil. This way the oil is centered around the pivot nicely (as in all the watch books).

When u disassemble and then reassemble, the oil already in place will be displaced as you try to get the pivots in place.

Anil

[oldhippy]

If that had been me I would have treated it as a new repair.

[Scouseget]

This is what I though frankly and I will always do this from now on. I do have a further question in this regard however, namely what should I do if I install and reinstall the balance wheel, say for reducing the beat error - do I need to clean and re-oil the balance pivot jewels each time?

[jdrichard]

I think I know the answer, but I've been wrong before......

I recently overhauled a nice old pocket watch, including complete dismantling, cleaning, reassembly, and lubricating. As it happens, something wasn't quite right which necessitated completely disassembling it again (ok., so I forgot to install a component), this resolved the problem so I reassembled it, and tested it and all was fine. My question is, should I have cleaned it again once it was disassembled and then re-lubricated it?. As it happens, it's still working fine, but I'm worried that the oil may now have spread to nasty places when I disassembled then reassembled it - or am I worrying over nothing? Is there a golden rule regarding cleaning and lubricating every time you tear a movement apart?

Thanks, and cheers from snowy Edmonton.

First of all, you need a metal being in Edmonton and the nasty cold: my oldest son is there. Second, by disassembling the watch, you have reintroduced dust and finger dirt (unless you wear finger cocks). So i would say you need to at least do a basic cleaning of the movement and then reapply the oil. The big pocket watches, 18s, I think are more tolerant to dust due to the gear size; so you might get away with just reassembling and cleaning and touching up the jewels with oil.

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