Question on waterproofing if crown not all the way tight

[bpiraino]

Sorry if this is a repeat, I posted once but it did not appear on the forum:

I've worn submariners for many years and never had this problem before.

Yesterday I used Veraet watch cleaner on my less then one year old 16613 submariner and then rinsed it by pouring distilled water over the bracelet and case. I then dryed it of with a microsoft cloth.

When I was done I noticed that, while the black seal was not visable, the crown was only half way screwed down and not fully tightened. This morning I checked the crystal and there was no fogging.

I'm assuming that the watch case was still water proof and sealed when I cleaned it, even though the crown was not fully tightened.

Am I correct in thinking that my watch is ok?

Thanks in advance for your input

[MonBK]

Your watch is ok.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by bpiraino

. ...

Am I correct in thinking that my watch is ok?

Thanks in advance for your input

Yes, the major seals that waterproof your watch are inside.. That's why they call it a "Triplock". The third seal is the gasket in the crown and the rest are not dependent on it for their sealing...

[The GMT Master]

Subs actually have quite a high level of waterproofing even with the crown fully unscrewed - when the British Navy were choosing diving watches back in the 70s (I think), one of the criteria was that they were still waterproof to a certain depth with the crown unscrewed. Thanks to the clever design of the Triplock, it meant that the Sub was a real tough-as-old-boots watch, suitable for use just about anywhere

[bpiraino]

Thanks for your helpful replys. They confirmed what I thought. I just wanted to by sure.

best to all,

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by bpiraino

Thanks for your helpful replys. They confirmed what I thought. I just wanted to by sure.

best to all,

Do you like the Vereat?

[bpiraino]

Yes, I like it. In the past I've used mild bar hand soap, which worked ok, but Veraet is very mild and easy to apply via a spray bottle. I then rinse it off and wipe it down and the watch comes out really nice. Just a few sprays each time some one bottle goes long way. Veraet also carries handy little brushes, and different types of drying cloths. They are all nice products.

B.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by bpiraino

Yes, I like it. In the past I've used mild bar hand soap, which worked ok, but Veraet is very mild and easy to apply via a spray bottle. I then rinse it off and wipe it down and the watch comes out really nice. Just a few sprays each time some one bottle goes long way. Veraet also carries handy little brushes, and different types of drying cloths. They are all nice products.

B.

Just plain old soap and water thats all thats needed to keep any Rolex Oyster in tip top condition.Thats all that Rolex themselves recommend no need for distiled water or fancy wash products and special cloths.Most Rolex watches are made from S.steel one of the toughest materials on this planet and they don't need any extra pampering. Except for wash in fresh tap water and dry with any lint free clean cotton cloth, this has worked for me for well over 30 years.

[mike]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Subs actually have quite a high level of waterproofing even with the crown fully unscrewed - when the British Navy were choosing diving watches back in the 70s (I think), one of the criteria was that they were still waterproof to a certain depth with the crown unscrewed. Thanks to the clever design of the Triplock, it meant that the Sub was a real tough-as-old-boots watch, suitable for use just about anywhere

Quite true. The old Rolex site in fact had documents to that fact dealing with test dives conducted.

Sigh,...so much information lost when Rolex moved to bling.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by mike

Sigh,...so much information lost when Rolex moved to bling.

I agree

[OLJR]

I also wondered this because when the triplock crown is fully screwed down the Rolex crown is slightly to the right of vertical. I reckoned that it must be the case that the watch is waterproof with the Rolex crown exactly vertical.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by OLJR

I also wondered this because when the triplock crown is fully screwed down the Rolex crown is slightly to the right of vertical. I reckoned that it must be the case that the watch is waterproof with the Rolex crown exactly vertical.

Huh?

[Numismatist]

thx

[Andad]

This question appears on a regular basis.
IMO the answer is - how good are the condition of the seals. If they are working efficiently then your *triplock is good to it's depth rating with the crown open. If they are worn then the crown seal is your 'back up' providing that this seal is not damaged.
Prior to any serious diving I would recommend that you have any diving watch **pressure tested to it's depth rating.

* Triplock is rated to 500 Bar.
** Note 'pressure tested' not 'vacuum tested' to the usual watchmakers -0.8 Bar.

[Rani Drama]

My AD told me not to over-tighten the crown to prevent damage to the seals. I leave mine a quarter turn from maximum which nicely aligns my crown straight up :)

[Gundam]

Originally Posted by Rani Drama

My AD told me not to over-tighten the crown to prevent damage to the seals. I leave mine a quarter turn from maximum which nicely aligns my crown straight up :)

I think finger-tight should be ok. Tight but not overtight. A (even slightly) loose crown may not be a good idea...?

[f-du-27]

About the Twinlock :

The new model with the O-ring is certainly an improvement.

I have unwillingly tested the older model in 1965 when the watch was 4 years old.
Result : a lot of water inside the watch by washing hands!
I now never forget to screw down the crown.

[Gundam]

What about the Twinlock? Does it also retain WR if not screwed down fully?