February 9, 2025

Why Did Water Get Into My Waterproof Watch?

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The first thing we should analyze is whether a watch is water-resistant or waterproof. Do you know what the difference is? Water-resistant watches are ideal for people who do not intend to wear them in prolonged contact with water; they are resistant to essential activities such as washing the face, splashing rain, etc. continue to read more (อ่านเพิ่มเติม which is the term in Thai) here:

The waterproof watch is known for being able to be submerged in water without being damaged according to its degree of resistance, but they also deserve our care. What makes a watch waterproof is not just associated with those “rubbers.” The design of the watch parts and the precision with which these parts were manufactured are also essential in the design of the watch’s sealing system.

The watch’s sealing system is not only concerned with the watch’s back cover. Water can enter the watch through the buttons, the crown, the junction between the glass and the watch case, and the case back. Over time, there is natural wear and tear of the “rubbers,” which we will call the correct name: gaskets. Gaskets are essential because metal/metal or metal/glass contact alone is impossible to produce a sealed system. These gaskets dry out over time and need to be lubricated or replaced to keep the seal up to date.

The sealing system most used today in watchmaking is through O-rings or sealing rings. They are simple, versatile, and create a seal on the interface of the materials that form the watch’s structure. The watches have a pre-defined structure to accommodate these rings both in the fitting and moving parts, so it is essential to evaluate and maintain this mechanism that the contact of chemical substances must not damage. Another interesting care is not to manipulate the crown and button when in immersion but also to ensure that they are properly closed or screwed.

An important note is that you should not bathe in hot water using your watch, even if it is waterproof. No waterproof watch should be subjected to contact with hot water. Water is not harmful to your watch, but the temperature of the water is. Higher temperatures swell the materials and can compromise your watch’s seal, causing openings for water to enter. The same problem occurs with the use of clocks in saunas. It’s not the steam that damages the seal, but the temperature of the steam, meaning even if the glass doesn’t fog up, high temperatures can damage your watch’s internal mechanisms.

It is recommended that seal maintenance be performed every two years or every battery change. In this procedure, the watch case will be disassembled, and an evaluation will be made of all the sealing rings that will be lubricated, replaced, and subjected to a test with a specific device. In this device, the piece will be placed under immersion and pressure that simulate the resistance of each watch, which guarantees or not a successful sealing. This procedure is essential to increase the life of your watch, as it prevents water from coming into contact with the mechanism.