Horrified! Can't believe I missed this!

[Biblebanger]

I took my oldest son snorkeling while at a Bible camp in Minnesota on Saturday. I was wearing my Planet Ocean and was out for about 3 hours up and down. The deepest I went was probably only 6 feet. Everything seemed fine. When I got to the shore and realized that my crown had been unscrewed the whole time!

I have heard that a Seamaster should still be safe to a reasonable depth even with the crown open. I have a hard time feeling secure with this statement. Anyone else heard about this? Should I be worried? I will probably take it in and have it checked. If water got inside how hard is it for them to fix?

I can't beleive I was so stupid.

[JJ Irani]

Don't delay this one, Haj. I'd take it asap over to the AD and have them check out the entire movement.

I know of a time when our Johnny (Atomic) left the crown on his Exp-II open and went swimming. Nothing happened. But then that's a Rolex!!

Not sure what's the story with the PO waterproofing system. I'd still have it checked out.

Good luck - JJ

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Don't delay this one, Haj. I'd take it asap over to the AD and have them check out the entire movement.

I know of a time when our Johnny (Atomic) left the crown on his Exp-II open and went swimming. Nothing happened. But then that's a Rolex!!

Not sure what's the story with the PO waterproofing system. I'd still have it checked out.

Good luck - JJ

Yep, I did and there was no seepage at all. Interesting... the question came up on a Panerai forum as to whether a Panny is still water proof if the crown guard is open. And in fact, it is.

I'm sure your PO is fine. If you get some fogging on the inside of the crystal, you'll know the Omega has been breached.

[mamas]

i did a similar thing with the helium release valve while scuba diving.. watch was fine.. i dont think it will be a problem..

[C.J.]

Haj, I did the very same thing with my Omega SMP chrono diver and no problems. I was surfing and don't know how deep I actually got, but I did wipe out a few times and took the ole' tuble and turn under the waves I took it to the Ad who told me they were still waterproof to a decent depth with the crown not screwed in.

[Biblebanger]

Just got back from the dealer. He took the back off and checked and everything was dry! What a relief.

Goes to show how water resistant some of these watches actually are.

Haj

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Biblebanger

Just got back from the dealer. He took the back off and checked and everything was dry! What a relief.

Goes to show how water resistant some of these watches actually are.

Haj

Good to hear, Haj

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Biblebanger

Just got back from the dealer. He took the back off and checked and everything was dry! What a relief.

Goes to show how water resistant some of these watches actually are.

Haj

That's great news, Haj. I think all these modern watches have sealing gaskets along the stem too. These surround the stem and form a hermetic seal. So even if the crown remains unscrewed, water still has no room to get in...provided the depth (and hence the pressure) is not too great.

JJ

[Atl]

Originally Posted by mamas

i did a similar thing with the helium release valve while scuba diving.. watch was fine.. i dont think it will be a problem..

Since that is a one way valve to release the helium, it is supposed to be opened underwater.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Atl

Since that is a one way valve to release the helium, it is supposed to be opened underwater.

Sorry, David, but you've got that all upside down!!

The Helium valve is for Gas to escape and has absolutely nothing to do with water.

It is a device provided for deep sea divers who go down in a bathyscape or a submersible. The air they breathe is not just Oxygen, but a mixture of inert gases too of which Helium forms a large constituent.

Since the He molecules are so very tiny and microscopic, they tend to somehow enter the watch. This could lead to tremendous pressue on the inside which could blow the crystal clean off the bezel.

So, the diver releases the excess He gas by unscrewing the crown. On the Rolex Sea-Dweller, this He valve is automatic and the diver doesn't have to do anything in the event of excess He gas build-up. The valve opens up automatically to release the pressure.

Cheers - JJ

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

On the Rolex Sea-Dweller, this He valve is automatic and the diver doesn't have to do anything in the event of excess He gas build-up. The valve opens up automatically to release the pressure.

Cheers - JJ

Yes, but don't forget, Doxa invented that cool valve.