ETA F04.111 Quartz

[HectorLooi]

I just don't understand why ETA has to put plastic parts into a good movement. 

This watch that I was servicing had a slightly high current consumption. I planned to disassemble the movement to do a clean and oil. But when I removed the calender works and saw a blue plastic wheel, I immediately aborted the mission. 

My experience with plastic wheels has never been good. Just holding it by the pinions or pivots is enough to distort it and affect the performance of the movement. Putting on the top plate and trying to manipulate the pivots into the holes will again risk further damage to the plastic wheels.

What is the best way to clean and lube a movement with plastic parts?

[JohnR725]

6 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I just don't understand why ETA has to put plastic parts into a good movement. 

There is the tiny possibility that they deliberately put plastic parts into upset watchmakers. Or it could be because they're easier to manufacture then the conventional way. Unfortunately making watches is all about doing it cheaply and plastic parts are unfortunately cheap.

It would be helpful if you had the technical communication it explains the lubrication.

Problem with engineered materials which is sometimes a clever turn for plastic is plastic doesn't like a lot of things. I would use a water-based cleaner like may be simple green. You may build a follow up with alcohol rinse but. Then of course no heat air dry. Then alcohol rubbing alcohol should be fine but if it's not fine you use at your own risk.

 

618_ETAF04.111.pdf

[HectorLooi]

I didn't dare do a full stripdown of the movement as everytime I do that with a movement with plastic parts, I always end up damaging the plastic pivots. I dabbed the jewels with lighter fluid and relubed with quartz oil and D5.

I did manage to get the current down from 5uA to 2uA, still not down to factory specs though.