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WATER RESISTANCE OF WATCHES AND SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!
No manufacturer or watchmaker will guarantee your watch to be waterproof or water resistant (unless he is insane). Why? Well, they once did, but then if I remember right someone died in a diving accident or something around 1970. There was major litigation and then it was "open season" on any watch that said "waterproof" and leaked. In other countries many watchmakers and even some watch manufactures were forced out of business after they were sued as the consumer protection laws are very strict in a lot of other countries. In the US the Federal Trade Commission mandated that no watch ever be labeled "waterproof" again. So, when the old stock was sold-off "water resistant" became the keywords. Does that mean your watch won't stand up to the water? Not really, but it keeps all of us in the trade from being sued because the responsibility now rests with the consumer. If you don't have your watch maintained properly then you have no one to else to blame when it fails (and if it fails in a SCUBA dive it would NOT be good).
As a general guide:
If the watch says "water resistant" it may be suitable for washing your hands but I probably wouldn't go swimming or wash the car with it on. Care should be taken to keep water off the watch, and this includes excess perspiration.
If your watch says "water resistant to 50-100 meters" (5-10 BAR) it is suitable for some swimming and you can probably go snorkeling with it if it is rated at 100 meters or 10 BAR.
If the watch is rated for 200 meters or more (20 BAR or above) then you can probably go diving with it to a reasonable depth.
Professional Diver's watches are rated at 300 meters or greater and have heavy gaskets and crystals intended for use at scuba depths. If you are a serious diver, I STRONGLY suggest sending the watch in for an annual pressure test and/or gasket replacement to be sure the gaskets are tight and don't leak.
In any event, if you intend to partake in ANY water sports with the watch on, it is IMPERATIVE that you have the water resistance checked BEFORE you do the activity! I have had people e-mail me about sea water in all sorts of watches, including Rolex watches. The sad part is, once it's in there the damage is probably done, and many times irreversible.
Again, if you plan to do any "water sports" with the watch, I can not stress enough to have the water resistance of the watch checked regularly. Spending $15-$20 to have it checked every 1 to 2 years is a LOT cheaper than having to buy a new watch!
When I test your watch for water resistance I will give you a yes/no answer weather or not it passed the test, and at what pressure, but under no circumstances will I guarantee the water resistance of any watch.
At present my tester will only test to 5 BAR, but most watches that are bad will show a leak at 3 BAR. In the future I hope to upgrade to an electronic "dry" tester capable of testing to at least 20 BAR or more. Unfortunately, these machines are VERY expensive, so a resultantant increase in charges for water resistance testing will be the by-product of purchase of the new machine. The new machine will allow me to give better service to the customer and also test divers watches to their full water resistance level. Most watchmakers do not have the more expensive machines, you must test a lot of watches to pay for such a machine.
If your watch fails the water resistance test, and you would like work performed to make it water resistant again, then additional labor and parts will be necessary. Water resistance of a watch should be checked yearly, at the very least every other year.
Here is some information put out by Citizen Watch Company on the subject of water resistance:
Water resistance is measured when the watch is at a static, or motionless state. As the watch is moved in water, such as from the motion of swimming, pressure is added from velocity. While you may be swimming in a pool at surface level, the watch may be experiencing forces equal to that of 100 feet of water pressure (3 BAR). Diving into a pool can cause forces on the watch to exceed those pressures. As such, you should always allow a margin of safety when exposing your watch to moisture. Never "push the limit" of the degree of water resistance of your timepiece.
A primary factor to keep in mind about water resistance is that periodic maintenance is needed to maintain original factory specifications. As the watch ages, the gaskets that seal the watch become dry and brittle, diminishing its water resistant quality. Exposure to environments such as chlorinated pools, salt water or soaps from showering can accelerate drying of the gaskets. We recommend that the gaskets be changed at least every 18 to 24 months to maintain the water resistant quality of your timepiece. If the watch is frequently exposed to chlorinated pools, soaps, salt water, etc., we recommend that the gaskets be changed on a yearly basis. Be sure the crown is completely pushed in prior to any contact with moisture. If your model is equipped with a screw down crown, be sure it is properly seated against the case. Do not operate the crown or any push button when the watch is wet as this may allow the entrance of moisture. If at anytime, you notice moisture in your timepiece that does not clear in a short period of time, you should send your timepiece as soon as possible for inspection.
From time to time, you may notice condensation that appears then goes away after a short period of time. This is a normal occurrence and happens primarily from sudden temperature changes. When there are sudden temperature changes such as entering a cool building from the hot out of doors, or jumping into pool on a hot day the watch may fog. Conversely, if you go to the cold outdoors from a warm building, fogging may occur. As long as the fogging clears in a short period of time, there is no need for concern.
Special Note about Jacuzzis and Hot Tubs
The various components used in the manufacture and assembly of your watch expand at various rates. This results in a loss of the sealing capabilities of gaskets, which may allow moisture to enter. In addition, heat from these sources can cause deformation of certain materials leading to mechanical failures. For these reasons, you should remove your watch before entering a hot tub or Jacuzzi.
You can determine the level of water resistance of our watches from the markings on your case-back. Additionally, models that are water resistant to 100 or 200 meters have an indication on the dial as well. The case-backs and dials are normally marked as follows:
The case back has no indication of water resistance
This indicates the watch is a non water-resistant model and is not designed for contact with moisture at all. Caution should be exercised to avoid any contact with moisture, such as when washing your hands or from a rainstorm or even excess perspiration.
"Water Resist"
This watch is designed to withstand water from accidental splashing, such as from washing your hands or rain. Any submersion into water may result in the entrance of moisture.
"Water Resist 10BAR" or "W.R. 10BAR", Dial marked "WR100"
This watch is designed to withstand water pressure up to 333 feet (100 meters). This includes water exposure from accidental splashing and rain, but also from showering, swimming in a pool and snorkeling. Be sure to rinse the watch with fresh water after exposure to a chlorinated pool, salt water, soaps, etc. After rinsing with fresh water, be sure to dry the exterior with a soft cloth.
"Water Resist 20BAR" or "W.R. 20BAR", Dial marked "WR200"
This watch is designed to withstand water pressure up to 666 feet (200 meters). This includes all exposure to water up to and including recreational SCUBA diving. Be sure to rinse the watch with fresh water after exposure to a chlorinated pool, salt water, soaps, etc. After rinsing with fresh water, be sure to dry the exterior with a soft cloth.
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