ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
2 October 2024, 10:38 PM | #1 |
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Water Resistance Testing
I'm a bit tired of running to the AD to have watches WR tested. I decided to pull the trigger on a home unit which should be able to test to 100m which seems useful for most of my needs. Pretty interesting reading up on testing. It's hard to find reasonable methods for testing at home to higher pressures. The only unit I could find supplies higher pressure but the check is to see if condensation occurs inside the watch. That would seem to late. Also hard to find any articles on how the pros test for WR at high pressures. Any inputs on this topic would be helpful. Anyone else doing home testing?
From a pure engineering perspective, pressurizing a watch in atmosphere and submerging it is really no test for WR but air pressure resistance as air and water diffuse differently. That said, watching for bubble escaping is at least benign to the watch. |
3 October 2024, 07:41 PM | #2 |
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Testing a fully assembled watch runs the risk of damaging the movement if it turns out the water resistance has failed.
I personally would not test any of my nice watches at home as it really should be done with the innards (movement, dial, hands) taken out of the watch en bloc. I would play around with my home-assembled NH70-based toy; I would not dare open the caseback of any of my other pieces. |
3 October 2024, 07:50 PM | #3 |
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That will only read to 60 metres Lee which, in any event, is way more than you need.
I converted my one to a dry test. Note for SpeedMaster sapphire sandwich WR doubters. It easily held 6 Bar for my 20 minute test.
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3 October 2024, 09:20 PM | #4 | |
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I never doubted the speedy. |
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3 October 2024, 09:46 PM | #5 |
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Interesting. My AD is only five minutes away and they have the equipment from Rolex to test watches. I don't do it very often and almost never wear my Rolex or more expensive watches in the water. A job for my Seiko's and G-Shocks.
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4 October 2024, 01:47 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
What was the conversion out of curiosity; how do you check? It looks like you're looking for deformation. |
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5 October 2024, 11:54 AM | #7 |
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I made this module from bits of PVC and fixed a micrometer to it.
The deflection is shown on the dial and if it holds the deflection for 20 minutes at 6 Bar it passes my test.
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5 October 2024, 07:48 PM | #8 |
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all I do once a year start of summer is the ice cube test............if the condensation disappears in a few seconds the watch is still sealed
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5 October 2024, 07:57 PM | #9 |
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Well doubt if you use your watches in water like say scuba,but a simple dry test in any high street watch shop to 100 m watch will be fine for most water activity but for scuba best test to 200m plus
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6 October 2024, 05:05 AM | #10 |
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Thanks!
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28 October 2024, 11:56 AM | #11 | |
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Pressure/O-ring gasket tests
Quote:
Considering current values, a regular gasket and pressure tests are recommended from an AD or trusted CW21 watchmaker. This is particularly true of vintage models. I have used a red 1680, a 5512, and a 14060M with SCUBA Gulf diving without issues. But, I take my own advice as to pressure tests and new O-ring gaskets. This includes the crystal and crown O-rings. Double test after installation or service. Sea water has no mercy on watch caliber internals. |
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12 November 2024, 07:59 AM | #12 |
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Professional dry testing is mostly done with underpressure (f.e. -0,7 bar) and overpressure (+10 bar) for divers and the normal Rolex models.
If you do a wet test, always (!!!!!) remove the movement, clean the case and seals, lubricate the gaskets with Foblin and test. In the case Rolex at their SC in special Roxer equipment tweaked for Rolex so they can do 120 bar or even 400 + bar for the deapsea. If oke, put the movement back in and to make sure you assembled it all fine do a standard dry testing. |
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