Comments on: Water Resistance Explained http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/06/18/water-resistance-explained/ A mechanical watchmaker in a digital world Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:33:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Tick Talk » Super Glue isn’t Super Gasket http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/06/18/water-resistance-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-4853 Tick Talk » Super Glue isn’t Super Gasket Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:08:03 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/06/18/water-resistance-explained/#comment-4853 [...] have read about people using glue to make their watches water resistant on a number of occasions and have even heard of the odd watch repairer using it in their daily [...] [...] have read about people using glue to make their watches water resistant on a number of occasions and have even heard of the odd watch repairer using it in their daily [...]

]]> By: Prem http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/06/18/water-resistance-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Prem Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:03:19 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/06/18/water-resistance-explained/#comment-452 Great issue this one! Hi Jp, I just thought that it would be great to make a comment on this one....cheers! Prem ....... Most services/repairs should be deemed water-resistant to at least three atmospheres (ATM), which is equivalent to the pressure of water up to a depth of 30 metres. Sporty watch cases can resist moisture intrusion to a pressure of 5 or 20 ATM or higher. These are clearly marked on the outside case back of your watch. A wristwatch may only be designated as water-resistant if it is able to resist sweat, water drops as well as rain and does not allow any water to penetrate when held under water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 metre. All of the watches carrying the label “water-resistant” or “water-resistant 30 m” meet these specifications. Since water pressure and temperatures can vary greatly while swimming or diving, such watches are not suitable for this activity even though they are water-resistant. Such watches are intended solely for normal everyday use. When pressures above 4 atmospheres (e.g. 5, 10, or 20 ATM) are indicated, wristwatches must be resistant against diving and vigorous movement in the water – in other words, a watch suitable for swimming must be tested to at least 10 ATM and thus will be water-resistant to a pressure equivalent to 100 metres. How long a wristwatch remains water-proof depends very much on how the watch is treated. A water-proof designation only refers to the watch at the time the test is conducted. Through aging, wear and tear, or damage, the state of the watch can change at any time. The more carefully a watch is handled, the longer it will retain its water-tight seals. Precise statements about duration are therefore not possible here. In theory, a watch can lose its water-resistance in a very short time – for example through a blow to the crown, massive impact to the case, a broken crystal, or through strong temperature changes (sauna, hot showers, cold, etc.). Every watch has maximum tolerances, and if these are exceeded, damage will occur. Watches built to a higher standard can endure greater loads, but even these have their limits. Therefore, every watch should be checked for water-resistance by a qualified professional as often as possible. The basic rule is: Water-resistance is not a permanent characteristic. At the latest, when condensation appears inside the crystal, it is time to have your watch inspected by a qualified watchmaker. Great issue this one!
Hi Jp, I just thought that it would be great to make a comment on this one….cheers! Prem ……. Most services/repairs should be deemed water-resistant to at least three atmospheres (ATM), which is equivalent to the pressure of water up to a depth of 30 metres. Sporty watch cases can resist moisture intrusion to a pressure of 5 or 20 ATM or higher. These are clearly marked on the outside case back of your watch.

A wristwatch may only be designated as water-resistant if it is able to resist sweat, water drops as well as rain and does not allow any water to penetrate when held under water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 metre. All of the watches carrying the label “water-resistant” or “water-resistant 30 m” meet these specifications.

Since water pressure and temperatures can vary greatly while swimming or diving, such watches are not suitable for this activity even though they are water-resistant. Such watches are intended solely for normal everyday use. When pressures above 4 atmospheres (e.g. 5, 10, or 20 ATM) are indicated, wristwatches must be resistant against diving and vigorous movement in the water – in other words, a watch suitable for swimming must be tested to at least 10 ATM and thus will be water-resistant to a pressure equivalent to 100 metres.

How long a wristwatch remains water-proof depends very much on how the watch is treated. A water-proof designation only refers to the watch at the time the test is conducted. Through aging, wear and tear, or damage, the state of the watch can change at any time. The more carefully a watch is handled, the longer it will retain its water-tight seals. Precise statements about duration are therefore not possible here. In theory, a watch can lose its water-resistance in a very short time – for example through a blow to the crown, massive impact to the case, a broken crystal, or through strong temperature changes (sauna, hot showers, cold, etc.). Every watch has maximum tolerances, and if these are exceeded, damage will occur. Watches built to a higher standard can endure greater loads, but even these have their limits. Therefore, every watch should be checked for water-resistance by a qualified professional as often as possible. The basic rule is: Water-resistance is not a permanent characteristic. At the latest, when condensation appears inside the crystal, it is time to have your watch inspected by a qualified watchmaker.

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