Speedmaster and Water .. a no no?

[chris__85]

Hey all,
Ive finally chosen and am set on an omega speedy pro for my daily wearer however have read a few posts referring to them like cats near water.. i want to be able to put the watch on my wrist and not take it off. Will a speedy be ok in the shower/pool? should i re-consider or will it stand up ok?
Any comments or experience is greatly appreciated.
Chris

[BuffaloRolex]

I too am interested in what the responses will be here.

[capncrunch]

is it new? I would dive to the bottom of the pool but no further - after 5 years I will not wear a nice watch anywhere around water except to wash my hands.

I have a 60's sea master chrono that will condense water on the inside of the crystal with just a big temp dif like coming in from the cold - its a divers watch yes... (that needs a $6 gasket)

any watch maker will test your watch for water proofness (?) for not much money - anyone know how they do it?

[haakon59]

Originally Posted by chris__85

Hey all,
Ive finally chosen and am set on an omega speedy pro for my daily wearer however have read a few posts referring to them like cats near water.. i want to be able to put the watch on my wrist and not take it off. Will a speedy be ok in the shower/pool? should i re-consider or will it stand up ok?
Any comments or experience is greatly appreciated.
Chris

The watch models in the Speedmaster line vary as to how much water resistance they have. The Speedmaster Legend, for example,an automatic, has 100m and you can use it to swim and it will be fine, a 100m rating is more than sufficient for the pool. But the Speedmaster Pro you mention, if we are talking about the same model, is only 30m water resistance and my advice would be to NOT swim or shower with it at all. There are several other models of Speedmaster like the Broad Arrow, which also has a 100m rating. So I think you will have to broaden your search to Speedmaster models other than the Professional/Manual or Moon watch as some call it.

Another idea would be to switch to the Seamaster Chronograph, which is rated 300m and which has several models. If you swim several times a week and you want a Chronograph, this is the line I would recommend. You could also look into the Breitling Superocean Chronograph, which is rated again at 300m.

If you are focused on the Speedmaster line, look at the Legend and Broad Arrow models and if you like them better than the Seamaster line, at a 100m rating, this will be more than sufficient for swimming in a pool.

[Tools]

The classic "Speedy Pro" Manual wind is only a 30 meter watch....Which is to say that it may or may not last a swimming session or two.

My Speedy Pro Patch LE is good for 50 meters....but I wouldn't plan on swimming with it...unless I were at a party or spa, and it would be more secure on my wrist than some place else..

However, the Automatics, and there are some nice ones; you cant see much difference from the Manuals, are mostly 100Meters, just like a Rolex...

[Mrdi]

30 meters is 100+feet.
Most scuba dives take place between 20-70 feet
Your worried about jumping in a 10 foot pool?
Just make certain the watch is serviced at the regularly scheduled interval,

[jasper]

I don't wear my speedy pro in the water. It's simply not designed to be water proof. I wash my hands with it on of course, and I rinse it briefly under warm water while cleaning it occasionally, but I take it off when I plan to be *in* the water...which is realy infrequently by the way.

Now, that's what I do because I don't want to chance it and because I am like a cat around water anyway. As has been stated, it's rated for 30m = 100ft, so presumably you could go swimming with it. But I wouldn't. In fact one of the reasons I'm here on this forum is because I feel like I need a waterproof watch. I haven't bought one yet - waiting for the right GMT to fall into my lap..

I love my moon watch by the way - there is no substitute. I bought my new in 1997, but A used one is inexpensive enough that you could use it only on dry days only I would think. Up to you - good luck.

[Stratton]

In the Instructions Manual it refers to getting the watch checked for the bathing season so Omega imply that you can swim with it. Personally I wouldn't swim with any watch that didn't have screw down pushers and crown and only then if its gaskets tubes and buttons were less than 5 years old.

[Stratton]

It is recommended that a manually wound watch has its crown, tube and gaskets replaced at least every 3 years due to its constant daily wear.

[Earl Camembert]

Originally Posted by capncrunch

any watch maker will test your watch for water proofness (?) for not much money - anyone know how they do it?

It is not easy to do. The workings have to be removed and the case is imersed in a water filled pressure contanter. Pressure is increased untill bubbles come out of the case.
http://www.timezone.com/library/arch...03133992922740

[Earl Camembert]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

30 meters is 100+feet.
Most scuba dives take place between 20-70 feet
Your worried about jumping in a 10 foot pool?
Just make certain the watch is serviced at the regularly scheduled interval,

One has to add the pressure of the movement of the watch when the arm moves. It adds to the pressure applied to the case. If one is being chased by a giant squid the pressure would be much greater especially if one had an underwater mobile device.

[TARDIS]

Your Omega Speedy is a great model, for your daily wear, but it's only a 3BAR watch. This means it is reasonable to expect moisture not to penetrate, but it isn't a guarantee. Swimming with one on the wrist is inadvisable IMHO.

Divers watches, or watches which can be used for aquatic pastimes should be at least 10BAR, preferably 30BAR.

Cheers,
Steve

[DC watchman]

Originally Posted by Earl Camembert

One has to add the pressure of the movement of the watch when the arm moves. It adds to the pressure applied to the case. If one is being chased by a giant squid the pressure would be much greater especially if one had an underwater mobile device.

Might have to change mine to "Floyd Robertson."

[Solar]

Does anyone here have any experiences good or bag of water problems with a Speedy Pro, with the Hesalite crystal?

I'm also interested in obtianing one, and I don't want to have to baby it. I've read the torture tests NASA did, that even wrecked the Rolex which was tested, and the Speedy did the best.

I wouldn't intend to dive with it, but if I fell in a pool or took a shower with it, I wouldn't want to think that would pooch the Speedy..........

Any experiences?

C

[chris__85]

whoa, thanks for all the responses!
Its tough because i dont want to be taking it off all the time- one of the main reasons for moving from a leather strap to a new watch.
Im a fan of the manual moon watch and was wanting it to be as close to orig moon watch as possilble so the auto movement, although a good suggestion, isnt as nearly as attractive to me.
I've always like the look of the white faced GMT omega seamaster, perhaps that will better suit my wants or maybe even jump to a submariner.. arrhhgg.. just when i think im set on a watch! it took me so long to be convinced on the hesalite of the speedmaster pro and now this, i was just assuming water wouldnt pose an issue considering the tests that it had been subjected to from the space agencies years ago!
Chris

[Ed Rooney]

I think NASA tested the Speedy Pro at 15 feet under the water for a period of time.

[Stratton]

I don't know if things have improved but I found Omega service centres weren't up to job shall I say. On a few new Moon watches I had the central chrono seconds hand when running stuttered and moved without a smooth action when in certain positions of the dial. I was told this was nothing to worry about but it bothered me. I have always loved Speedmasters and their Space heritage butI have to say that it is not a watch that I could depend on. I hope they improve. They have the potential to be fabulous.

[Perdu]

The white GMT is tested to 1000ft. You can email Omega customer service to check on the Speedy- they usually reply. That Speedie has a whole lot of history.

[Subfiend]

I never wear my Speedies in or near water, or even in areas with high condensation. I just don't trust them around water. I would take (and have taken) my Daytona underwater before my Speedies, even though it is nearly impossible to read! Consequently, this watch may be in my future:



I like this configuration better:

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

I like this configuration better:

The red stitching to match the red on the dial is striking!

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

I like this configuration better:

The red stitching to match the red on the dial is striking!