Bergeon Water resistance/pressure tester

[Cc1966]

I wondered how to read the results of this tester. Does the the tester apply air pressure in a sealed chamber with the watch and then the user watchs for leak-down? Thanks in advance.

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by Cc1966

I wondered how to read the results of this tester. Does the the tester apply air pressure in a sealed chamber with the watch and then the user watchs for leak-down? Thanks in advance.

Completely unrelated but I used to have a very large framed canvas print of that exact same picture in your sig on a wall in my room when I was a but a wee boy (some 20+ years ago). It's long lost now but I don't suppose you have any info on it do you?

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by Daytona-Dan

Completely unrelated but I used to have a very large framed canvas print of that exact same picture in your sig on a wall in my room when I was a but a wee boy (some 20+ years ago). It's long lost now but I don't suppose you have any info on it do you?

Dan, its a famous pic of the USS Constitution. I believe the USS Const. Museum on-line store has prints available.

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by Cc1966

Dan, its a famous pic of the USS Constitution. I believe the USS Const. Museum on-line store has prints available.

Thanks! I've always wanted to know!

[Cc1966]

Got a PM with detailed instructions. Thank you.

1/ Fill with water (distilled preferred) to the tide line.

2/ Have the plunger all the way UP. Hang the watch from the bracket on the plunger shaft, beneath the lid.

3/ Position the cap on the tester with the pressure release pin toward you, swing the bolts over the top at the notches in the cap, and tighten. The watch is suspended above the water.

4/ Pump the handle on the right side until you show 3 (atm) on the gauge. This pumps air into the chamber. 3 atm is the standard test in the watch repair industry, but in special cases you can go higher.

5/ Take note of the index pin on the plunger shaft. It sticks out, just a bit below the top knob. Also, note the notch at the edge of the hole in the lid through which the plunger shaft slides. You'll be wanting to line this index pin up with that notch, later. Allow the watch to remain above the water for 3 minutes.

6/ After 3 minutes, quickly lower the watch into the water, assure that the index pin fits through the notch in the lid, and turn the knob so that the plunger stays down against air pressure.

7/ Now, with the watch submerged, press and hold the pressure release knob on the cap to release the air pressure, and watch for bubbles.

Here is where you have to do a bit of interpreting! If the watch is equipped with a turning bezel, you'll get big bubbles coming out from around it. This doesn't constitute a leak. Likewise if the watch has a bracelet. The idea is that, exposing the watch to air pressure will force air into the watch case if there are leaks. When you immerse the watch, the air pressure in the case should have increased if the case leaks. Releasing the air pressure in the chamber causes the increased air pressure in the watch case (assuming it leaks air) to leak out into the water. No bubbles? No leaks. Look for a more or less steady stream of tiny bubbles over time to indicate that the watch case leaks. Look for leaks around the crystal, crown, and case back, as well as extra pusher buttons on chronographs.

WORD OF CAUTION! Do not assume that an ESQ (for example) which says 100 meters on the dial will withstand this sort of test! Likewise a lot of "department store" brands! I refuse to test low end watches in my Bergeon. They could "explode". So if this is the kind of stuff you'll be testing, assure your customer knows the test is at THEIR RISK! There should be a charge for the water resist test, whether or not the watch leaks. If it leaks, then charge for the test PLUS the repair to waterproof it.