I'm going to service my first watch. I've watched a lot of videos and have seen different choices in the oil used while lubricating a watch. The one consistency is that everyone seems to recommend Moebuis.

From what I gather in a nutshell, the parts that need oil are either classified as High Torque/Low Speed (use a thicker oil) and Low Torque/High Speed (use a thinner oil) or parts that Rotate or Slide under Pressure (use oil or grease). I've put parts into categories the best I could. I'm looking for your recommendation as to what oil and grease to use and please make any corrections or changes you see fit or add any content I've left out. Not sure how accurate or thorough my list is below.

High Torque/ Low Speed (use thicker oil) what type?_____________________
- Center wheel, 2nd and 3rd wheel jewel
- mainspring barrel arbor

Low Torque/ High Speed (thinner oil) what type?___________________
-4th wheel jewel
-escape wheel and cap jewel
-balance wheel and cap jewel


Keyless Works
Rotate (oil, thicker type)
- the 2 intermediate setting wheels, click, hour wheel and minute wheel (oil around the perimeter of the stud) what type?____________________

Slide under Friction (grease)
-4 sides of the shaft and a little dab of grease on the winding pinions as well as the clutch lever and a little dab on the click spring. what type?_________________


What type of oil for these:
-Pallet Stones _________________
-Mainspring and Barrel _____________________


I've read no oil at all on the pivot fork jewel. Is that correct? yes________ no_________
and obviously no oil on the gear teeth (train wheel) or pinion gears

Thanks
Rick

Hi Richard,

Huge subject not simple to cover, as a beginner I would not start on anything more complecated than a cheap time only watches maybe just movement only, cheap pocket watches, and practice taking apart clean, oil, and re build see if it still works.
here is a good link that will get you started with oil, some are very expensive so I would start with the mobius 8000 and other "classic oils"

Oils

Grease

I just had a "my first service" watch in for repair, it cost him more than the basic service work to reverse the damage, then do the service so start on watches you can afford to lose.

Hi Chris,
Thanks for chiming in. I really appreciate it and value your opinion. About 5 years ago I was going to start servicing the watches in my collection but as it turned out, the timing wasn't right for me. I took that time to read, watch video and gather up the tools needed.

Recently I've completely taken apart and put together a 992B and a 992. I've done that 6 times on each. It's amazing how much better you get at simple things like controlling the tweezers and handing the screws and parts. In the beginning I had to keep all parts and screws separated. Now I can put them in a pile and know where everything goes. I take my time and find it so relaxing and enjoyable.

Thanks for sending the links and providing insight. In fact, you had responded to one of my posts years back warning me of the complexity of what I wanted to get into. You're post was one of the reasons I didn't jump right into it. I just wasn't ready. I listen to what you had said. Now that I'm retired, I'm really looking forward to it. Don't plan on doing it professionally, just working on my own.

Tomorrow I'm going to replace the balance staff on a 992B. I feel confident I can do it. I have several watches with broken staffs and mainsprings.

Thanks Again Chris
Best
Rick

Debbie,

I most certainly will. I'm really excited about working on the watches in my collection