Whether you’re a professional watchmaker or a dedicated hobbyist, Bergeon Rodico is likely a permanent fixture on your workbench. Often called a watchmaker’s best friend, this specialized green cleaning putty is indispensable for removing fingerprints from dials, lifting excess oil from jewels, and picking up microscopic debris without marring delicate surfaces. However, using this Swiss-made tool incorrectly can lead to frustrating smears or sticky residue that compromises your work. To help you get the most out of every bar, we’ve compiled these top pro-tips for using Rodico Watchmaker’s Putty to ensure a pristine, residue-free finish every time you close a case.
Dab, Don’t Wipe: Always use a light dabbing or “stamping” motion to lift dust and oil. Wiping or dragging Rodico across a surface, especially on watch crystals or dials, can leave behind streaks or sticky residue.
Avoid Heat: Never use Rodico on warm watch movements or parts (e.g., right under a hot bench lamp). Heat can change its consistency to a “slime,” making it much more likely to smear or stick to the metal.
Mount on Pegwood for Precision: For cleaning tiny areas like jewel holes or balance pivots, pull off a small piece and mount it to the tip of sharpened pegwood. This provides much better control than using your fingers.
Downgrade Old Putty: Once Rodico darkens from soil and starts leaving smears, stop using it on delicate movements or dials. Instead, keep a “dirty” blob on your bench to clean tools, pick up dropped screws, or hold parts in place during rough work.
Knead Regularly: To keep the putty effective, “massage” or knead it between your fingers frequently to bring fresh, clean material to the surface.
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