How to properly clean this watch

[Nathan W]

I was curious if it's even possible to clean the glass on the inside of this watch. I found it awhile back at a park that sits on an old farm.

 

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[UnderMiner]

I would wager that has a radium dial, best keep it sealed for now.

 

[Nathan W]

I would wager that has a radium dial, best keep it sealed for now.

How old you think? Is it worth keeping

 

[pepperj]

Here is everything you wanted to know about Radium dials on a watch and how to clean the hands.
Actually it's really easy. Isopropyl 99% and toothpicks along with a couple of plastic lids.
Here's the risks of a watch that have radium dials, and the end of the article it explains how to clean.

The Actual Risks of Vintage Radium Dial Watches: A Guide | Watch Repair Tutorials

watchrepairtutorials.com

 

[Nathan W]

Here is everything you wanted to know about Radium dials on a watch and how to clean the hands.
Actually it's really easy. Isopropyl 99% and toothpicks along with a couple of plastic lids.
Here's the risks of a watch that have radium dials, and the end of the article it explains how to clean.

The Actual Risks of Vintage Radium Dial Watches: A Guide | Watch Repair Tutorials

watchrepairtutorials.com

Thanks will check it out

 

[pepperj]

Thanks will check it out

I can probably assume that you don't have a radiation detector sitting on the self.
So here is another link for wrist watches that might have radium dials.

How To Tell If a Watch Has Radium - WatchRanker

In 1900s, radium was mixed with paint to make the elements in the watch dial, such as hands and hour markers, glow in the dark.

watchranker.com

I think a UV light might show the dials glowing as well.

Another way of testing is go to a scrap yard that have a radiation detection device at their drive on scale.
If your watch is hot-you'll be amazed on how fast the alarm will sound.

Just a word of caution is that if you have any type of blood work, scans that involve dye (what the medical world injects into the vein to trace) Then you'll light up the alarm for about 2 weeks after the scan procedure.

 

[Nathan W]

I can probably assume that you don't have a radiation detector sitting on the self.
So here is another link for wrist watches that might have radium dials.

How To Tell If a Watch Has Radium - WatchRanker

In 1900s, radium was mixed with paint to make the elements in the watch dial, such as hands and hour markers, glow in the dark.

watchranker.com

I think a UV light might show the dials glowing as well.

Another way of testing is go to a scrap yard that have a radiation detection device at their drive on scale.
If your watch is hot-you'll be amazed on how fast the alarm will sound.

Just a word of caution is that if you have any type of blood work, scans that involve dye (what the medical world injects into the vein to trace) Then you'll light up the alarm for about 2 weeks after the scan procedure.

I didn't know about the radium in the watch

 

[pepperj]

I didn't know about the radium in the watch

Well it might have-and it might not have you don't know for sure.
Siding on the cautious side of life just don't go licking it until you find out for sure.

 

[pepperj]

Most watch backs can be opened with a pocket knife blade. If it has 3 indents on the back of the case it is a screw on back. If there's a small indent on one side slip the knife blade in at the back should pop open.
Reason for this is to get the make/ser.# for the yr of the watch.
This will help also in a proper ID and if it would of had radium on the dials.