Rolex Triplock Crown Waterproofness

[DoctorSpazz]

Please help settle some confusion around the triplock crown.

My understanding is that when the crown in winding position or out, the watch is water proof to its depth rating but it is not recommended to go diving because the operation of the crown, while under water, may cause water to enter.

Having that said, above surface applications like showering or washing dishes with your crown in winding position or unscrewed should mean your watch is still water proof ?

Thanks in advance ?


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[Jpccarguy]

Easy- use the crown as Rolex advises. Tighten down the crown. There may be some degree of water resistance, but why take a chance?

[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by Jpccarguy

Easy- use the crown as Rolex advises. Tighten down the crown. There may be some degree of water resistance, but why take a chance?

Yes of course but trying to ease my mind for that lapse in judgement when the crown was in winding position for a better half of the day


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[bremersm]

Why would you leave the crown in that position?

[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by bremersm

Why would you leave the crown in that position?

I would not. I left it unscrewed by accident


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[doboy007]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

Yes of course but trying to ease my mind for that lapse in judgement when the crown was in winding position for a better half of the day


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This is like forgetting to wipe you butt

[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by doboy007

This is like forgetting to wipe you butt

Helpful!


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[Stan Cooper]

You should be fine. See Bas' posts #22 and #69 in this thread:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=624709

[bigrustypig]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

Yes of course but trying to ease my mind for that lapse in judgement when the crown was in winding position for a better half of the day


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Years ago, I bumped into a pal of mine who was not a WIS. I noticed he was wearing a TT DJ and immediately noticed it’s crown was in winding mode. I wound it back right away and asked how long it was kept in that crown winding position. He said he never knew, never noticed and never had problems with its time keeping. There was no fogging nor moisture under the crystal. So I’d say maybe months, perhaps.
Benefits of an oyster system.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

Yes of course but trying to ease my mind for that lapse in judgement when the crown was in winding position for a better half of the day


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Don’t have a lapse in judgement. Problem solved.

[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

You should be fine. See Bas' posts #22 and #69 in this thread:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=624709

This is amazing. Thank you.


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[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Don’t have a lapse in judgement. Problem solved.

How does it feel to be perfect ?


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

How does it feel to be perfect ?


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I’m not perfect, that’s the point. I left the crown unscrewed on a Rolex and got in the ocean. It ruined my watch. Trust me your Rolex will be fine in water with the crown unscrewed until the moment that it isn’t. Since you don’t know when that moment will come teach yourself to always screw it down.

[Casotakar]

I’ve had 1 watch maker discuss the triplock to me in person. Sounded convincing enough that you’re able to actually leave the crown unwound and the watch be able to survive your experience. I definitely wouldn’t stress.

If still concerned, have a local watch maker you trust or your peers trust open it up and do a check and let you peak.


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[skp]

I believe that there used to be official documentation that stated that the triplock was water reistant to 50 meters with the crown unscrewed. It seems like that rating is a function of orings that can be in a deteriorated state depending on age and wear and so Rolex didn't want to have the liability of officially stating something.

[Old Expat Beast]

Screwdown crown is pretty old tech, about 100 years old. There's plenty of watches out there that don't have them but still are rated to 100m, like most Rolex oyster cases.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

Yes of course but trying to ease my mind for that lapse in judgement when the crown was in winding position for a better half of the day


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Easily done...

I've found mine undone at the end of the day before. Also noticed my wife's undone many times, so now her watch stays on a winder so she doesn't have to meddle with it!!

Never had a proem though..

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Screwdown crown is pretty old tech, about 100 years old. There's plenty of watches out there that don't have them but still are rated to 100m, like most Rolex oyster cases.

Quite true Adam plus the Twinlock crown was not a Rolex invention but a acquired patent. Now the first introduction of the twin lock waterproof screw down crown system by Rolex, was from a Swiss Patent by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret. They invented twinlock crown and they took out a Swiss patent first in 1925. But Hans Wilsdorf from the RWC quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux and Peret patent assigned to him and the RWC. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926, shortly after the Rolex Oyster was first born. But crown should be just screwed down just finger tight and its very doubtful on say a triplock or twinlock would get any water damage if unscrewed for say washing your hands or shower.

Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex aquirerd,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true Adam plus the Twinlock crown was not a Rolex invention but a acquired patent. Now the first introduction of the twin lock waterproof screw down crown system by Rolex, was from a Swiss Patent by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret. They invented twinlock crown and they took out a Swiss patent first in 1925. But Hans Wilsdorf from the RWC quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux and Peret patent assigned to him and the RWC. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926, shortly after the Rolex Oyster was first born. But crown should be just screwed down just finger tight and its very doubtful on say a triplock or twinlock would get any water damage if unscrewed for say washing your hands or shower.

Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex aquirerd,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Great info. Thank you.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true Adam plus the Twinlock crown was not a Rolex invention but a acquired patent. Now the first introduction of the twin lock waterproof screw down crown system by Rolex, was from a Swiss Patent by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret. They invented twinlock crown and they took out a Swiss patent first in 1925. But Hans Wilsdorf from the RWC quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux and Peret patent assigned to him and the RWC. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926, shortly after the Rolex Oyster was first born. But crown should be just screwed down just finger tight and its very doubtful on say a triplock or twinlock would get any water damage if unscrewed for say washing your hands or shower.

Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex aquirerd,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Once again, great information Peter.

This type of post is what I miss most about the forum. Thank you

[Casotakar]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true Adam plus the Twinlock crown was not a Rolex invention but a acquired patent. Now the first introduction of the twin lock waterproof screw down crown system by Rolex, was from a Swiss Patent by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret. They invented twinlock crown and they took out a Swiss patent first in 1925. But Hans Wilsdorf from the RWC quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux and Peret patent assigned to him and the RWC. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926, shortly after the Rolex Oyster was first born. But crown should be just screwed down just finger tight and its very doubtful on say a triplock or twinlock would get any water damage if unscrewed for say washing your hands or shower.

Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex aquirerd,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Wow, love history like this.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by skp

I believe that there used to be official documentation that stated that the triplock was water reistant to 50 meters with the crown unscrewed. It seems like that rating is a function of orings that can be in a deteriorated state depending on age and wear and so Rolex didn't want to have the liability of officially stating something.

Bingo.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by DoctorSpazz

How does it feel to be perfect ?

The ONLY person who can answer that properly on this forum is Padi56.

[DoctorSpazz]

Thanks to all for the very informative discussion. I was able to learn a little bit of history today as well as ease my mind.

Cheers to all !


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[Robf52]

Originally Posted by casotakar

wow, love history like this.


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+1.

[Tools]

As long as the seals inside the tube are viable, they will keep water from entering the watch.

The issue with an unscrewed crown is not about having an open hole to the atmosphere, because you do not.

The problem is lateral distortion, where the crown is pushed sideways, which moves the stem against the o-ring seal, causing deformation that may allow water to bypass it as long as that deformation lasts.

[Harry-57]

The good news is that you're probably OK. The not so good news is that if you're not, you will know soon enough. I'm leaning towards OK.

[DoctorSpazz]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The good news is that you're probably OK. The not so good news is that if you're not, you will know soon enough. I'm leaning towards OK.

If you read the comments above, I’m 100% ok


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Screwdown crown is pretty old tech, about 100 years old. There's plenty of watches out there that don't have them but still are rated to 100m, like most Rolex oyster cases.

The screw down pushers on my Daytona don't have seals and are rated to 100 metres.

Rolex stated on their website years ago that the Triplock was rated to 500 Bar unscrewed.

No mention was made of an issue with operating it unscrewed?