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Old 5 May 2012, 12:47 AM   #1
travellingbrit
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had the back off...still waterproofish ?

Hey all

I recently had the case of my EXP 11 (2007) opened by an old watch repairer buddy to tak a curiosity look (beautiful).....now, I don't immerse my rollie in water too often, but wondered how much this may, or may not have affected the water resistance ?....

Swimproof, showerproof, don't take it in the rain ?
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Old 5 May 2012, 12:50 AM   #2
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simple, have it pressure tested. Your pal should have done that after his exploration mission..........
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Old 5 May 2012, 01:04 AM   #3
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simple, have it pressure tested. Your pal should have done that after his exploration mission..........
X2

Yep this ensures no issues.
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Old 5 May 2012, 01:10 AM   #4
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pressure test it.
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Old 5 May 2012, 02:36 AM   #5
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Nobody will have a clue until it's tested.
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Old 5 May 2012, 02:44 AM   #6
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Yup, it would have been easy for a small kink or rollup in the back gasket to occur when the back was replaced. Only way to know is to test.
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Old 5 May 2012, 03:31 AM   #7
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As others have said, unless you test it, no way to know for sure
BUT, if it is the first time it has been opened, the seal should be in good condition and should go back together OK.

A lot of "shoulds" in that sentence

When I was a wee nipper I wanted to know what was inside a golf ball, so I put the golf ball on a shiny table, tightly clenched between my thumb and forefinger, and proceeded to cut the ball in half with a Stanley knife, as pressure was applied, the golf ball span round and the blade stuck in my finger.... 6 stitches and 30 years later, I still have not lost the scar nor the curiosity!! well done on opening it up just to see what was there!

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Old 5 May 2012, 05:07 AM   #8
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Hey all

I recently had the case of my EXP 11 (2007) opened by an old watch repairer buddy to tak a curiosity look (beautiful).....now, I don't immerse my rollie in water too often, but wondered how much this may, or may not have affected the water resistance ?....

Swimproof, showerproof, don't take it in the rain ?
Most likely it is still waterproof, but your watch is five years old, so why not give it new gaskets (caseback, crown and crystal).

I am having my watches pressure tested every second year (at least).

Best,

A
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Old 5 May 2012, 07:22 AM   #9
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As stated without a pressure test - who knows?

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Old 5 May 2012, 08:54 AM   #10
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as stated without a pressure test - who knows?

x2
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Old 5 May 2012, 09:31 AM   #11
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A pressure test is done with the movement removed, therefore you would need to open the back again to install the movement after the test. If the o-ring was good, and tightened properly, it should be OK.
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Old 5 May 2012, 09:43 AM   #12
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A pressure test is done with the movement removed, therefore you would need to open the back again to install the movement after the test. If the o-ring was good, and tightened properly, it should be OK.
The movement is removed?
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Old 5 May 2012, 04:11 PM   #13
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The newer tests are done without liquid and is actually a vacuum test, but it is loosely referred to as a pressure test.
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Old 5 May 2012, 04:40 PM   #14
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The newer tests are done without liquid and is actually a vacuum test, but it is loosely referred to as a pressure test.
That would be very very loosely.

A dry vacuum test at about -0.8 bar should be done only to check the seals prior to a pressure test to full depth. Some watchmakers claim that if a watch holds this tiny vacuum then it is good to go to its full depth - but they will not guarantee this and if it leaks then it was someone else's fault...
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Old 5 May 2012, 04:31 PM   #15
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A pressure test is done with the movement removed, therefore you would need to open the back again to install the movement after the test. If the o-ring was good, and tightened properly, it should be OK.


Good one John. If there is no movement what do you stick in the hole where the crown goes?

If what you say is true what do they do when they put the movement back in.........test it again?
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Old 6 May 2012, 12:57 AM   #16
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Good one John. If there is no movement what do you stick in the hole where the crown goes?

If what you say is true what do they do when they put the movement back in.........test it again?
In the old days, the water torture trick was used. The crown screws in and seals the watch!!!!!!!!!! The vacuum test replaced the water test many eons ago.
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Old 5 July 2012, 11:40 PM   #17
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A pressure test is done with the movement removed, therefore you would need to open the back again to install the movement after the test. If the o-ring was good, and tightened properly, it should be OK.
Who told you that who ever did its totally wrong they dry test first if it passes they wet test both with movement in case but water cannot get into the case on both tests..
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Old 5 May 2012, 09:45 AM   #18
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I've seen it done both way.
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Old 5 May 2012, 09:47 AM   #19
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I've seen it done both way.
Seems weird to test it disassembled and then have to reassemble. Whatevs.
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Old 5 May 2012, 09:47 AM   #20
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Yes a pressure test will tell you for sure but these watches are machined very precisely so if the case back is sitting perfectly on the case I'd say it's probably good to go. Still I would only be sure with a pressure test. I've had my watches pressure tested a few times. Never removed the movement before the test. If it was a peice that was old and very unsure of the case I could see why it would be removed.
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Old 5 July 2012, 11:06 PM   #21
travellingbrit
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Just to follow up on this. I finally got round to having Rollie pressure tested this morning (though my local AD wasn't overkeen on doing it....it's changed hands recently and a long way from friendly service), and it came out as passed for 100metres resistant....phew I can finally take a shower again.
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Old 5 July 2012, 11:14 PM   #22
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Just to follow up on this. I finally got round to having Rollie pressure tested this morning (though my local AD wasn't overkeen on doing it....it's changed hands recently and a long way from friendly service), and it came out as passed for 100metres resistant....phew I can finally take a shower again.
I don't know man, my shower is 150m deep. I call it the Marianas shower. Cameron comes over sometimes just to get really clean.
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