Watch waterproofinessssss....

[Unknownsoldier]

Just had Sekonda of 3 months replaced because it filled with water when I washed my hands... no showering with it on, no swimming, no deep sea diving or exploring the titanic etc...... they said it's not waterproof and as it wasn't "rated" it was not really supposed to be gotten wet at all.... I pointed out it says "Water Resistant 50m", surely this should cope with more than a splash of water?

Can anyone confirm/explain what Splashproof, water resistant, Water Resistant XXm, & Water proof.... mean.

Tom

 

[MichaelG]

Watch manufacturers use to use the term "waterproof" a lot of years ago, but have moved to the more accurate term "water resistant."

In reality, no watch is "waterproof" since any watch will fail under enough water pressure. Watches are rated for water resistance to whatever they state - in meters or atmospheres, etc.

You shouldn't operate a watch underwater, though. Even a watch that's water resistant shouldn't have it's crown pulled out or wound and a chronograph shouldn't be operated underwater. Some chronographs are designed to be used underwater, though.

More likely than not, you have a watch where something failed - maybe the seal in the crown, the crystal or the caseback seal. The person you spoke to was wrong - any watch with decent water resistance should be OK for splashes while hand washing, etc., or even a swim.

Watches can be pressure-tested by a watchmaker. He places the watch in a sealed chamber filled with water and raises the water pressure to whatever rating the watch manufacturer claims for the watch. He then checks for condensation in the watch. If there is none, the watch passes it's test.

Usually if a watch is serviced or has its battery changed, it's a good idea to replace the seals/gaskets between the caseback and the case itself. If someone replaces it improperly, this will lead to a failure in watch resistance. Seals can also fail over time - they're rubber and become brittle, etc.

Vintage watches are another story. In general, it's better to assume they're not water resistant at all. They were not meant to be immersed.

As for a modern watch that's rated for decent water resistance - like a dive watch - it's OK to swim or even dive with the watch, just rinse off any salt water afterward.

If you have an expensive dive watch that you actually use while swimming, etc., then you should get it serviced regularly and have the water resistance tested at that time.

Just had Sekonda of 3 months replaced because it filled with water when I washed my hands... no showering with it on, no swimming, no deep sea diving or exploring the titanic etc...... they said it's not waterproof and as it wasn't "rated" it was not really supposed to be gotten wet at all.... I pointed out it says "Water Resistant 50m", surely this should cope with more than a splash of water?

Can anyone confirm/explain what Splashproof, water resistant, Water Resistant XXm, & Water proof.... mean.

Tom

 

[82R100]

I was amused to find the following applied to my recently purchased Grenen (Skagen) watch:

3ATM - Water resistant to 30 meters (100 feet). Will withstand splashes of water or rain but should not be worn while swimming or diving.

5ATM - Water tested to 50 meters (165 feet). Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water.

10ATM - Water tested to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

Not Water Resistant - You will know that your Skagen watch is NOT water resistant if there are no markings on the watch.

- Chris

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Super guys, thanks, I thought I was right, Happier now.

Thanks again guys,
Tom

 

[thebikingengineer]

You could always spring for the Rolex Deepsea, rated for 20,000 feet (just under 4 miles). That should get you to the bottom of most of the ocean on earth. Probably a little pricey for that, especially since your body can't handle it.

 

[82R100]

You could always spring for the Rolex Deepsea, rated for 20,000 feet (just under 4 miles). That should get you to the bottom of most of the ocean on earth. Probably a little pricey for that, especially since your body can't handle it.

By Skagen's standards, that should allow you to dive to the bottom of the deep end of the pool.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Personally, I wouldn't let a watch get near water (except for a few drops while washing up) unless it was certified for at least 150 meters. If you immerse a watch with 30 or 50 meter ratings your just asking for trouble. yea you may get away with it and you may not.

 

[Austin]

Personally, I wouldn't let a watch get near water (except for a few drops while washing up) unless it was certified for at least 150 meters. If you immerse a watch with 30 or 50 meter ratings your just asking for trouble. yea you may get away with it and you may not.

Agreed. Unless, the crown can screw down and the back is also screw down., it's not worth the risk. I ruined a very nice Baume & Mercier this way.

 

[mretzloff]

Watch manufacturers use to use the term "waterproof" a lot of years ago, but have moved to the more accurate term "water resistant."

In reality, no watch is "waterproof" since any watch will fail under enough water pressure. Watches are rated for water resistance to whatever they state - in meters or atmospheres, etc.

You shouldn't operate a watch underwater, though. Even a watch that's water resistant shouldn't have it's crown pulled out or wound and a chronograph shouldn't be operated underwater. Some chronographs are designed to be used underwater, though.

More likely than not, you have a watch where something failed - maybe the seal in the crown, the crystal or the caseback seal. The person you spoke to was wrong - any watch with decent water resistance should be OK for splashes while hand washing, etc., or even a swim.

Watches can be pressure-tested by a watchmaker. He places the watch in a sealed chamber filled with water and raises the water pressure to whatever rating the watch manufacturer claims for the watch. He then checks for condensation in the watch. If there is none, the watch passes it's test.

Usually if a watch is serviced or has its battery changed, it's a good idea to replace the seals/gaskets between the caseback and the case itself. If someone replaces it improperly, this will lead to a failure in watch resistance. Seals can also fail over time - they're rubber and become brittle, etc.

Vintage watches are another story. In general, it's better to assume they're not water resistant at all. They were not meant to be immersed.

As for a modern watch that's rated for decent water resistance - like a dive watch - it's OK to swim or even dive with the watch, just rinse off any salt water afterward.

If you have an expensive dive watch that you actually use while swimming, etc., then you should get it serviced regularly and have the water resistance tested at that time.

Excellent post. I do not think anyone could have said it any better

 

[liege]

I've heard from a few places that the difference between WR 100M and WR 200M is that the 100M watch has one set of seals and the 200M watch has a double set.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

You could always spring for the Rolex Deepsea, rated for 20,000 feet (just under 4 miles). That should get you to the bottom of most of the ocean on earth. Probably a little pricey for that, especially since your body can't handle it.

Wont work for me...I can't take it on my next dive trip to Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench.