Shower with crown unscrewed

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by farguello5100

Fingers cross my friend, i hope I am okay, it was a few minutes. Water? was not extremely hot just warm

In light of this, i would be confident your watch is completely fine

Just as an experiment, try the ice cube trick and let us know your findings.
It will only take a few moments the next time you are walking past the fridge

[J!m]

Originally Posted by Dirt

It's not entirely implausible.
As someone alluded to this possibility earlier in this thread, the water may be pushed past the internal O-rings on the stem by hydraulic pressure.
It's a phenomenon that's never been fully explored, let alone reached a conclusive outcome.
It's all just speculation within and around a healthy discussion

IMO, the proper response would be to simply blow the thread around the Winding crown and screw it down as intended.
It should be all good in theory.

If you look at the triplock cut away, you will see the distance between the tube end seal and the stem seals is quite small. Even if that “entire” area were filed with water, I don’t think pressure would push it past the first stem seal.

As to “when” should the crown be screwed down, if you notice it’s not, I would say NOT underwater, but out in the air at any point should be fine.

This is why you test, and have ALL seals changed at service. Even a “70’s” watch will be fine if the seals are sound. Heck, most of them have been converted to 703’s anyway by now. But even the 702 is fine and uses the same stem seals as well as the tube end seal. The 703 (and current 704 “monoblock”) use the same tube and sealing mechanism. The 704 is solid 904 (or maybe 316?) rather than 316 wrapped brass. Otherwise, interchangeable.

I would be concerned beyond 50 meters depth, which few exceed. Note that diving can create pressures beyond the depth of the dive (so I read/was told) so I guess check your crown before you dive in!

Bottom line is: how well you maintain it. Neglect your car and it will let you down. Neglect your watch (or whatever) it will let you down too.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by J!m

If you look at the triplock cut away, you will see the distance between the tube end seal and the stem seals is quite small. Even if that “entire” area were filed with water, I don’t think pressure would push it past the first stem seal.

As to “when” should the crown be screwed down, if you notice it’s not, I would say NOT underwater, but out in the air at any point should be fine.

This is why you test, and have ALL seals changed at service. Even a “70’s” watch will be fine if the seals are sound. Heck, most of them have been converted to 703’s anyway by now. But even the 702 is fine and uses the same stem seals as well as the tube end seal. The 703 (and current 704 “monoblock”) use the same tube and sealing mechanism. The 704 is solid 904 (or maybe 316?) rather than 316 wrapped brass. Otherwise, interchangeable.

I would be concerned beyond 50 meters depth, which few exceed. Note that diving can create pressures beyond the depth of the dive (so I read/was told) so I guess check your crown before you dive in!

Bottom line is: how well you maintain it. Neglect your car and it will let you down. Neglect your watch (or whatever) it will let you down too.

Agreed.

Thanks for the insights

[GradyPhilpott]

I'll just add my own assurance that everything will be just fine.

Your watch is protected whether the crown is screwed down or not.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by SearChart

You're correct.
We have tested a sub in the Rolex fathometre at 300m with the crown open, it was completely fine.

What?!

I thought directioneng was joking.

Learn something new every day

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by SearChart

You're correct.

We have tested a sub in the Rolex fathometre at 300m with the crown open, it was completely fine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[SLS]

I've accidentally swam with the crown and the pushers unscrewed on my Daytona and it was fine...the Sub should be fine as well. FWIW, yes it was a pucker moment!

[Mousehunter]

Good to know. I found my crown unscrewed in the bath a few weeks ago.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by J!m

If you look at the triplock cut away, you will see the distance between the tube end seal and the stem seals is quite small. Even if that “entire” area were filed with water, I don’t think pressure would push it past the first stem seal.

As to “when” should the crown be screwed down, if you notice it’s not, I would say NOT underwater, but out in the air at any point should be fine.

This is why you test, and have ALL seals changed at service. Even a “70’s” watch will be fine if the seals are sound. Heck, most of them have been converted to 703’s anyway by now. But even the 702 is fine and uses the same stem seals as well as the tube end seal. The 703 (and current 704 “monoblock”) use the same tube and sealing mechanism. The 704 is solid 904 (or maybe 316?) rather than 316 wrapped brass. Otherwise, interchangeable.

I would be concerned beyond 50 meters depth, which few exceed. Note that diving can create pressures beyond the depth of the dive (so I read/was told) so I guess check your crown before you dive in!

Bottom line is: how well you maintain it. Neglect your car and it will let you down. Neglect your watch (or whatever) it will let you down too.

Hey Jim, even a twinlock passes a 100m test with the crown open

While I'm not going to guarantee that everyone can leave their crown open and go dive, most of the times if the seals are good, a shower/swim will be completely fine.

[Runnin' Rebel]

My 116610LVc was in fog once very recently and it works great 😜

[faz]

Learned something new in this thread. It would have scared the hell out of me to see the crown unscrewed during a shower or swim. Now after reading this thread I will act as cool as ice and smile while drying the watch and sipping my coffee or whiskey.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SLS

I've accidentally swam with the crown and the pushers unscrewed on my Daytona and it was fine...the Sub should be fine as well. FWIW, yes it was a pucker moment!

All the locks on the pushers are simply there to stop activating chron fuction if underwater and nothing to do with the waterproofness of the watch

[Andad]

Originally Posted by J!m

I do not believe this is accurate.

Unscrewed (in any position) only the two O-rings inside the crown tube seal on the OD of the crown stem. That is a 50m seal. (so safe for the shower, if in good shape and properly lubricated)

In order to get the significant depth rating, the seal at the end of the tube needs to be compressed by the crown when it is screwed down.

The o-ring on the outside of the tube (the one you see when you unscrew the crown) simply keeps garbage from getting into the crown threads, which would prevent it form screwing down fully.

Hope this helps!

Another masterful piece of misinformation but it doesn’t explain why the pushers on a Daytona are rated to 100 metres with no screw down crown seals.

As Peter has stated.

As for a 50m seal being safe for just a shower? Seriously?

Is this the best info you can come up with?

A finger tight dust seal at the end of the tube will not help achieve 500 Bar test protection on a Triplock.

[watchmaker]

Just to throw my 2 cents in. I will echo what Bas has said; should remain water resistant to full depth with crown unscrewed.

The only qualification to this statement is water resistance testing is in static water. If you were to manipulate the crown (or pusher) while immersed or if the seals are met with a jet of water there is no certainty of what will happen. It may withstand it or it may leak. We see both outcomes regularly.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Just to throw my 2 cents in. I will echo what Bas has said; should remain water resistant to full depth with crown unscrewed.

The only qualification to this statement is water resistance testing is in static water. If you were to manipulate the crown (or pusher) while immersed or if the seals are met with a jet of water there is no certainty of what will happen. It may withstand it or it may leak. We see both outcomes regularly.

Precisely.
To add to this. It's absolutely impossible to predict the failure point.

In my game we are always amazed at what one can/has gotten away with.
And equally amazed at what one can't get away with causing great frustration despite our best efforts, which at times has exceeded best industry practice.

If one wants to make a standard practice of going in the water to pursue water sports, or for professional exploits, or exposing their watch to random splashing of some description without the crown screwed down, i say good on them
Declare their intent and stick to it.

This will surely put the matter to bed eventually as real world data is gathered over time.

Come on lads.
Put your hands up as we need volunteers.
Put your money where your mouth is and help back up the Rolex marketing machine and their previous claims based upon ideal scenarios and conditions.
Show us sceptics how truely great/superior the Rolex engineering solution is in real world applications

[Andad]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Just to throw my 2 cents in. I will echo what Bas has said; should remain water resistant to full depth with crown unscrewed.

The only qualification to this statement is water resistance testing is in static water. If you were to manipulate the crown (or pusher) while immersed or if the seals are met with a jet of water there is no certainty of what will happen. It may withstand it or it may leak. We see both outcomes regularly.

A jet of water that has little or no effect on your arm will have even less effect on your Rolex unless it was one of those high pressure water jets that will cut steel.
A member posted in another thread you would compromise the pressure integrity of your Rolex when diving if you moved your arms too quickly?

How fast can you move your arms at say 30m.

The outcomes that you see are not caused by a water jet unless the owner has severely damaged arms.

Manipulating the crown? Yes it’s possible that this could cause leakage through a seal that was worn but not otherwise.
We go back to the Daytona pushers. The pusher locks are there to prevent operation at depth as this is not recommended but how many Daytona owners have dived to 100m and timed an event.

Rolex has stated the facts that I have posted and Bas has confirmed some details so I will leave you all to your own conclusions on this serious shower issue.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid today you guys worry to much about your watches,I would doubt if you have anything to worry about in such a short and shallow immersion in water and no condensation on crystal. Myself once on a dive in the Red Sea noticed my crown was fully unscrewed on my SD while at 25m plus.But I did not panic as I was in charge of a group of divers I was guiding over the reef they were far more important than any watch.On return to surface watch was fine and watch is still fine today that was quite a few years ago.

You knew better, and many here don't have your vast experience. Some do not so they are here to learn. Being worried about the possible damage of a $10,000 watch is what most would call normal.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by directioneng

A jet of water that has little or no effect on your arm will have even less effect on your Rolex unless it was one of those high pressure water jets that will cut steel.
A member posted in another thread you would compromise the pressure integrity of your Rolex when diving if you moved your arms too quickly?

How fast can you move your arms at say 30m.

The outcomes that you see are not caused by a water jet unless the owner has severely damaged arms.

Manipulating the crown? Yes it’s possible that this could cause leakage through a seal that was worn but not otherwise.
We go back to the Daytona pushers. The pusher locks are there to prevent operation at depth as this is not recommended but how many Daytona owners have dived to 100m and timed an event.

Rolex has stated the facts that I have posted and Bas has confirmed some details so I will leave you all to your own conclusions on this serious shower issue.

All I can say is never in 30+ years of any Rolex I have owned have I ever forgot to screw down the crown. It is very noticeable when popped out. How can one not notice? It is comparative to leaving the fly on your jeans unzipped after using the men's room. There really is no excuse

[Mfrankel2]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Nope, that is not going to fly.

Do some more research - you are an engineer?

Temperature in a shower? Seriously? Could be 45C? And that pesky steam.

Think about the internal pressure required to open the HEV on a SeaDwelller.

Way too much misinformation on these threads.

this!

Watch can actually be immersed with crown unscrewed so a few minutes in a shower would be fine

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by directioneng

A jet of water that has little or no effect on your arm will have even less effect on your Rolex unless it was one of those high pressure water jets that will cut steel.
A member posted in another thread you would compromise the pressure integrity of your Rolex when diving if you moved your arms too quickly?

How fast can you move your arms at say 30m.

The outcomes that you see are not caused by a water jet unless the owner has severely damaged arms.

Manipulating the crown? Yes it’s possible that this could cause leakage through a seal that was worn but not otherwise.
We go back to the Daytona pushers. The pusher locks are there to prevent operation at depth as this is not recommended but how many Daytona owners have dived to 100m and timed an event.

Rolex has stated the facts that I have posted and Bas has confirmed some details so I will leave you all to your own conclusions on this serious shower issue.

A relatively light jet of water on an unscrewed crown or a non screw down crown can cause water ingress. This is professional experience not my opinion.

The most important word in that sentence is 'can'. This will not always be the case but it does happen. There are numerous contributing factors: age of seals, condition of seals, water pressure, water temperature, contaminants present in water to name a few.

The question of water resistance in watches can be debated forever but the fact remains: watches do leak, everything mechanical can fail. That doesn't mean yours will.

[superdog]

this thread is a riot.

on so many levels.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

A relatively light jet of water on an unscrewed crown or a non screw down crown can cause water ingress. This is professional experience not my opinion.

The most important word in that sentence is 'can'. This will not always be the case but it does happen. There are numerous contributing factors: age of seals, condition of seals, water pressure, water temperature, contaminants present in water to name a few.

The question of water resistance in watches can be debated forever but the fact remains: watches do leak, everything mechanical can fail. That doesn't mean yours will.

Doesn't soap also act as a "wetting agent" for water and make it more able to penetrate into crevices that it normally wouldn't by itself? Just screw the darn crown down, why take the chance?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Doesn't soap also act as a "wetting agent" for water and make it more able to penetrate into crevices that it normally wouldn't by itself? Just screw the darn crown down, why take the chance?

I know when to put my hands up and say I don't know.

All I remember about soap from chemistry class was it reduces waters surface tension.

[padi56]

1.Fact farguello5100 posted he had a shower with crown not screwed down.
2.Fact he has been told by various knowledgeable members including a member who services Rolex watches that its doubtful he has any problem.
3.Fact if he has no condensation showing up in crystal.
4.Fact he has no problem whatsoever end of story.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Hey Jim, even a twinlock passes a 100m test with the crown open

While I'm not going to guarantee that everyone can leave their crown open and go dive, most of the times if the seals are good, a shower/swim will be completely fine.

Can't believe ppl are still posting after the authority who would know best has chimed in twice already! Hilarious!

[darkside7]

It’s something only an Aggie will do...
Just kidding.. hook em....

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by farguello5100

Fingers cross my friend, i hope I am okay, it was a few minutes. Water? was not extremely hot just warm

they pressure testing to 300m....

that is a lot more than a shower

[BVLDARI]

Originally Posted by padi56

1.Fact farguello5100 posted he had a shower with crown not screwed down.
2.Fact he has been told by various knowledgeable members including a member who services Rolex watches that its doubtful he has any problem.
3.Fact if he has no condensation showing up in crystal.
4.Fact he has no problem whatsoever end of story.

Amen.

I think people only read the OP post and nothing in the thread and just respond...

[SDRider]

I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Showered and went to work only to realize the crown on my Sub wasn't screwed down, it was in the winding position. It didn't do any harm whatsoever.

[Likestheshiny]

A relatively light jet of water on an unscrewed crown or a non screw down crown can cause water ingress. This is professional experience not my opinion.

Only if you've managed to create a seal such that the water has nowhere else to go, and the the pressure of the water jet exceeds the seal's pressure resistance. Otherwise, you've found magic water that defies fluid dynamics (or you're testing a watch with faulty seals).