Epilame for reversers?

[Simeon]

I have seen people talk about treating reversers with epilame. How exactly do you do that?

 

if you soak them, let the solvent flash off and then what? Install them, wind the watch / spin the rotor manually and then take them out again and lubricate?  Use a suspended lubricant like Lubetta V105? 
 

is it worth it?

Edited September 4, 2024 by Simeon

[nickelsilver]

It's specifically used on certain Rolex reversers, where they need lubrication in certain areas, but if it makes it to other areas, they don't work correctly. For everything else, you wouldn't use epilame, but you would want to use Lubetta  V105.

[Jon]

As @nickelsilverhas said, eplilame, which is an oleophobic agent (repels oil), is used on Rolex reversing wheels, but they are a totally different kettle of fish to other reversing wheels that you would find in an ETA movement. With the normal type of reversing wheels, such as ETA ones, you would dip the reversing wheel(s) in a small pot of Lubeta V105 and sit for one  minute, then remove and blow off any excess solvent and leave under a cover for 15 to 20 minutes until all the solvent had evaporated leaving a dry coating of lubricant. Don't put the reversing wheels on plastic when drying! So, not in a parts tray. With the Lubeta you removed the wheels from, suck back up with a pipette and back in your jar.

You can mix 9010 with a non residue solvent to produce the same thing really, but why go through that ball ache. You can also lubricate the protrusion X2 inside the reversing wheel with 9010

[mikepilk]

2 hours ago, Jon said:

 Don't put the reversing wheels on plastic when drying! So, not in a parts tray.

Oops, I wasn't aware of this. I assume it's a solvent? I didn't see this in any small print 

[VWatchie]

I used to think that ETA Lubeta V105 could be used on any reverser wheels (except the Rolex) However, when I used it on the reversers of a Vostok 24XX movement it more or less completely stopped the automatic winding to function and they were also discoloured. I don't know why but lesson learned!

 

Edited September 4, 2024 by VWatchie

[Jon]

On 9/4/2024 at 9:29 PM, VWatchie said:

However, when I used it on the reversers of a Vostok 24XX movement it more or less completely stopped the automatic winding to function and they were also discoloured. I don't know why but lesson learned!

Very similar to this 44 jewel GP Gyromatic I serviced, which was the first high beat watch of 36000 bph in 1966. a real piece of horological history! I love the fine adjustment on the balance

This has 14 jewels in the two reversing wheels

Edited September 8, 2024 by Jon

[Lukas]

On 9/4/2024 at 10:29 PM, VWatchie said:

used to think that ETA Lubeta V105 could be used on any reverser wheels (except the Rolex) However, when I used it on the reversers of a Vostok 24XX movement it more or less completely stopped the automatic winding to function and they were also discoloured. I don't know why but lesson learned!

Wow, I didn't know that either. On the other hand I'm very new to watchrepair, so I got loads to learn anyway. I came across these reversing wheels in an alleged Rado No. 59948. Do you know how to properly lubricate those by any chance? Thank you all so much for posting your knowledge here by the way!!! 

[mikepilk]

From the bottom pic, they look similar to ETA reverser wheels. So I would use Lubeta V105, if you have some (or you can make your own mix). Or just lubricate with a tiny amount of 9010 oil as ETA show :

[Lukas]

1 hour ago, mikepilk said:

From the bottom pic, they look similar to ETA reverser wheels. So I would use Lubeta V105, if you have some (or you can make your own mix). Or just lubricate with a tiny amount of 9010 oil as ETA show :

I see, thank you very much!