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WhichwaydidheGo
285
Dec 16, 2016
Dumb question time. This watch is rated with 30m of water resistance. Why do the the various stores have a warning that it is suitable for rain or splashing but not swimming or even showering? 30m is significantly deeper than most people ever go, water shouldn't be a concern...
WhichwaydidheGosBecause meters in water resistance do not mean nor directly translate to water depth where you can take the watch safely. It relates to pressure in such water depth (e.g. watch can be rated for 3 atmospheres of pressure and that pressure is present in 30 m depth) - but this is all what it is - really only a pressure rating in a *static* test, not real underwater depth.
There are multiple effects at play: - When you move your hand underwater, even slightly, the dynamic pressure pushing on the caseback gasket, crown gasket, pusher gaskets, press-fitted crystal, etc. multiplies. Try putting your hand out of a window in a car moving 90 kph. The static air pressure all around you is still the same - more or less 1000-something hPa (or 1 atm) - but you really feel the difference. Water is a lot denser and the effect is more pronounced even at slower movements. - In the case of showering, the hot water expands the case (made of metal), which lessens the sealing properties. - And last but not least, soap/shampoo lessens the surface tension of water making it easier to pass through the tightest gaps and seals.
If you lower the watch very carefully and slowly to the rated depth in a room temperature water for a short time, it will survive - that is roughly how it is tested (of course using pressure tester or air pump, not by having 30 m deep pool :) ). But for showering, I wouldn't go anywhere lower than 200 m WR with screw-down crown.
The WR rating took some changes over the years and there is a difference between WR rating as it is and a diver watch WR rating, but generally, I read it as this: - 30 m = great there is at least some water resistance after all, it will not rust after light rain and won't let sweat in, - 100 m = either a slightly better made dress watch or a watch that is styled in outdoors/diving, but not truly outdoors-rugged, you do not need to be extra careful when washing your hands, in the rain, etc. Real water contact only if the watch is regularly serviced and tested. - 200 m = now the fun begins, you can safely take the watch to the water.
But even at higher ratings, you need to observe some precautions: - Never ever do any crown or pusher operation underwater, even rotating pushed-in crown (this is what timing rotating bezels are for, they are outside of the case and do not depend on gaskets, you can rotate them as you want without letting water in). EDIT: To be precise, some diver chronographs advertise safe pusher operation underwater, but they are typically priced in thousands. - Every time the watch was opened (adjusting a mechanical watch, changing battery in quartz, any other service), caseback gasket should be changed (screwdown casebacks, the gasket gets microfractures during rotational stress) and greased with silicone grease (regardless of whether it is a screw-down, press-on or screw-press). - The watch should be tested for water resistance regularly, at least yearly.
Btw. common watch service stalls in malls, etc. typically do not change the gaskets, nor test for water pressure after opening the caseback. You really need a "traditional", equipped watchmaker.
It is actually a major PITA if you rotate between multiple watches and change batteries/adjust timing yourself. Just take it off before swimming/showering.
UsernameWasTakenPS: Of course, we are commenting on a 70 USD mechanical watch, which is amazing in itself regardless of WR. Instead of paying for several years of water resistance checks or greasing, you can then throw it away and buy a new one. Expect swimming-safe WR at 500+ USD. (EDIT: there ARE exceptions, see Vostok Amphibia. Just change that ugly bezel for a Seiko one, apply a little grease to crown and caseback, optionally change the strap and you have excellent watch that you can really take underwater for 100 USD total.)
WhichwaydidheGo
285
Dec 21, 2016
UsernameWasTakenThank you for that. A lot of it I sort of knew but needed reinforcement.
I still consider it ridiculous that you would need to think about it while washing your hands etc. We do however live in this world and not the one we want...
consolation
742
Dec 26, 2016
UsernameWasTakenI teach scuba, regularly see 100m rated watches taken to ~20m depth, I never had an issue, nor met anyone who has. My 300m went down to 60m multiple times without issues. I think you're being a little bit conservative in your assessment. From my experience I'd go; 30m - pool swimming, 100m - light scuba, 300m - go for your life, you'll break before the watch does.