⚙ LUBRICANTS & CLEANING

Grease

High-viscosity lubricant for the barrel, gaskets and slow heavily loaded parts.

Lubricate Lubricants & Cleaning

Specification

Application points	Barrel wall · gaskets · winding parts
Consistency	High viscosity, non-running
Temperature range	−20 °C to +70 °C typical
Water resistance	Formulated to resist washout
Shelf life, sealed	3 – 5 years
Coverage, barrel	Thin film on wall and spring faces
Coverage, gasket	Very light film
Base	Synthetic with thickener

Technical parameters

Load capacity	Far higher than oil
Migration	Designed to stay in place
Compatibility	Check against gasket material
Application	Spatula or fine applicator
Removal	Solvent and pegwood

Use magnificationAvoid magnetismVentilate

Overview

Grease is used where oil would be thrown off or squeezed out: the mainspring and barrel wall, the seals and gaskets, and the slow-moving parts of the winding and setting mechanism. It stays where it is put, resists being flung outward by rotation, and supports loads that would break down an oil film.

In the barrel it does a specific job. The mainspring rubs against the barrel wall as it winds and unwinds, and a dry spring will judder and waste torque. A thin, even film of barrel grease lets it slip smoothly. Too much, though, and the spring drags inside a viscous bath, which is a real and measurable loss of amplitude.

For gaskets, grease is partly a lubricant and partly a sealant. A lightly greased gasket seats without twisting and resists water better than a dry one. The critical word is lightly — visible grease squeezed out of a case back seam is dirt waiting to be collected.

What matters about it

Stays in place under high load and rotation
Used in the barrel where oil would be flung off
Improves gasket seating and water resistance
Applied thinly — excess costs torque
Must be compatible with the elastomer it touches

SafetyGrease and the solvents used to remove it can irritate skin and eyes. Some formulations are incompatible with certain elastomers and will swell or crack a gasket. Check compatibility before use, ventilate the workspace, and dispose of waste under local regulations.

Practical notes

Grease the barrel wall in a thin film; do not pack it.
Check that your grease is rated for the gasket material, especially with silicone seals.
A gasket should look damp, not wet.
Clean all old grease off before applying new — mixing products is unpredictable.

Compatible with

Mainspring barrelsCase back and crown gasketsWinding and setting partsChronograph couplings

Specifications on this page describe generic families and published reference values, not a specific product. Nothing here is for sale, no result is guaranteed, and no page endorses a commercial brand. Follow the documentation for the movement or tool actually in front of you.

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