What to do for a flooded Sub?

[8850]

Last week I went in to my local AD to have my 15yo sub pressure tested as I was going scuba diving in the caribbean. The AD completed the pressure testing and replaced the gasket without any issue. Today, after diving in relatively shallow water I noticed that the watch was completely flooded with water and, obviously, not running. I'm on the island for the next 7 days and while there is a dealer here there is not service. I have sent e-mails to the servicing AD but they are closed on Sunday.

Anyone got any ideas on how to get the water out? I don't want to try and open anything myself without the consent of the servicing AD as I hope they will be good enough to help out when I can reach them.

Thanks for the advice.

[sleddog]

Oh.....So sorry to hear this has happened!!
The best thing to do right now is pull out the crown,leave it out(hacked) and keep in a warm dry place with little to no humidity!!!
As soon as you get back take it to who did the service and tear strips of them!!! Have them do a complete repair at no charge to you.....
Rob.

[sleddog]

Oh,welcome to TRF!!!
Hopefully all will work out for you and your Sub......
Rob.

[Idle Swede]

This has been discussed many times before and my advice is to leave it in water, oils or any liquid.

If you're not going to make it home in 7 days that movement will rust much faster than if you leave it soaked.

[AWATCH]

Originally Posted by Idle Swede

This has been discussed many times before and my advice is to leave it in water, oils or any liquid.

If you're not going to make it home in 7 days that movement will rust much faster than if you leave it soaked.

This is exactly what you need to do.

[Omega_Precision]

Originally Posted by Idle Swede

This has been discussed many times before and my advice is to leave it in water, oils or any liquid.

If you're not going to make it home in 7 days that movement will rust much faster than if you leave it soaked.

Like Leo said....leave it as it is.

Leave it in oil or keep it flooded.

Everything will work out besides that bad gasket job by the watchmaker.



EDIT: I just read the update....good thing you got it taken care of on the island.

[8850]

Thanks Rob. I thought the same thing and have had the crown out and watch angled 'crown down' in front of the a/c which is the lowest humidity place around. Nothing draining yet but seems to be all I can do...

[greekbum]

If it were my watch I would put it in a cup of freshwater and keep it submerged until it got to a watchmaker.
Here are many opinions http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...t=water&page=2

[Nick1959]

You are sure the crown was properly screwed in?

[robrobin]

It happened to me a few years ago and I didn't have any tools to open the case back and flush with fresh watch. My watchmaker told me to open the crown and submerse the watch in fresh water. Kept it that way for 5 days. The last day I locked the crown and flew home. No damage just needed a full service. Even the dial and hand made it through ok. Two years later I had to replace the dial though.
Good luck
Rob

[Earl]

Originally Posted by 8850

Last week I went in to my local AD to have my 15yo sub pressure tested as I was going scuba diving in the caribbean. The AD completed the pressure testing and replaced the gasket without any issue. Today, after diving in relatively shallow water I noticed that the watch was completely flooded with water and, obviously, not running. I'm on the island for the next 7 days and while there is a dealer here there is not service. I have sent e-mails to the servicing AD but they are closed on Sunday.

Anyone got any ideas on how to get the water out? I don't want to try and open anything myself without the consent of the servicing AD as I hope they will be good enough to help out when I can reach them.

Thanks for the advice.

My BS meter is reading really high here now...... has a sub for 15 years/ was just pressure tested/ yes I know he may have had to unscrew the crown to set the correct time but, this does not stop the 2 o-rings inside the stem from working "after diving in relatively shallow water".

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I said water test, as a generic term for the procedure. AND, I am aware that an ALC2000 has a test range of -0.8 +10 bar. If a submariner, properly serviced, and seals changed, passes at -0.8 and 10bar, it will not fail in the water (wet test) at 30 bar. The greater the pressure (provided the case is designed to take it, and the sub is) the more water resistant the watch is. ie, if it is going to leak, it will leak in the first 2 feet.

Now, first and foremost, I did say that so long as the crown is unscrewed but NOT pulled out, there should be no ill effect (provided new seals). I would not recommend this, and the crown should always be screwed down. But, screwing the crown down is a safety measure, to stop you pulling the crown out. It does not provide the water resistance. Take the HEV on the SD or DeepSea. It relies on gaskets, not a thread lock.

And to finish off, the reason I am so certain is because a) I do this for a living, and b) I also wondered the same question once, and having access to my own watches, and wet pressure testers that can dole out 125bar, I put to the test my personal SD, Sub, and SMP.

Now like I said, I did this with my watches, and I do this professionally. I want to stress that I dont and wont post hear say. If I cant do it/have not done it, I wont say it can be done. Theres enough bad information on the net as it is.

[8850]

Originally Posted by Earl

My BS meter is reading really high here now...... has a sub for 15 years/ was just pressure tested/ yes I know he may have had to unscrew the crown to set the correct time but, this does not stop the 2 o-rings inside the stem from working "after diving in relatively shallow water".

No BS here, just the facts of what happened today. Yes, the crown was properly screwed in. Thanks for the advice on soaking in water and will read the other threads.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Earl

My BS meter is reading really high here now...... has a sub for 15 years/ was just pressure tested/ yes I know he may have had to unscrew the crown to set the correct time but, this does not stop the 2 o-rings inside the stem from working "after diving in relatively shallow water".

I tellya wajt happnd is the AD either put in the wrong sized case back O Ring or didnt close the caseback to spec and failed to pressure check it.
Eh, easy fix, submerge it and when your ready to head home synch down the crown and send it to the AD or if you dont have trust in them, send it direct to ROLEX and send the AD the bill !

[snow_rocks]

Originally Posted by Earl

My BS meter is reading really high here now......

where does one buy this type of meter?

[therolexguy]

Wow. Good luck and please let us know what happend.

[8850]

Just read the other thread which had some great advice. I will submerge it, then lock down the crown and get it back to the AD quickly. I'm hoping to DHL it to them tomorrow. Thanks for all the help!

[Brushpup]

Submerging is always the advice of those who have been in this situation
before. Do let us know how it comes out. Come back and enjoy the forum after
your problem is solved and enjoy your stay.

[Some Pair]

Oh the horror!....
That happened to my 6538 SUB twenty years ago after an overhaul & gasket's supposedly replaced by the original seller. No forum available for advice back then....like I said....the horror!
Gone now over year with what was a service replacemnt Rolex Dial.....Who knew?...T'was a Longtime ago.
Best regards on your hiccup. Sound like it will turn out Ok. The servicer should not fair up that well tho. JMO

[sleddog]

I'm glad others jumped in an gave better advice!! Thats what we are all here for right....
I have a question to all... I would assume water entered under pressure most likely through the caseback seal (as crown was screwed down and there is 3 o-rings there)..Just guessing at that.. So water will not escape out now,only evaperate?? Question is,will submerging in a glass of water let fresh water in as its under next to no pressure...I do understand sea water is harmful(moreso than fresh water)but I cant see the fresh water entering the case...I do see the logic but not really sure if it will help in the longrun....(7 days)
Aside from that,boy I would be pi$$ed at who did the work just before this happened!! Extremely mad to say the least......Would any of you demand repair be made at the expense of the AD who performed this repair???......
Rob.

[AWATCH]

Originally Posted by sleddog1000

I'm glad others jumped in an gave better advice!! Thats what we are all here for right....
I have a question to all... I would assume water entered under pressure most likely through the caseback seal (as crown was screwed down and there is 3 o-rings there)..Just guessing at that.. So water will not escape out now,only evaperate?? Question is,will submerging in a glass of water let fresh water in as its under next to no pressure...I do understand sea water is harmful(moreso than fresh water)but I cant see the fresh water entering the case...I do see the logic but not really sure if it will help in the longrun....(7 days)
Aside from that,boy I would be pi$$ed at who did the work just before this happened!! Extremely mad to say the least......Would any of you demand repair be made at the expense of the AD who performed this repair???......
Rob.

Corrosion is caused by oxidation, air getting to the metal which has already started corroding. If the watch is totally filled as 8850 has said it has a massive leak so the best thing to do is completely seal it off to air, thus keeping it in water, oil, etc.
If on the other hand the watch merely had some condensation and was still running, the best thing to do would be to open her up and let it dry, you would still have to be concerned about corrosion, but, not as much...
And, YEA I WOULD BE REALLY PISSED as well...

[sleddog]

Makes sense Al!!

[pdxrolex]

I'd like some pics on this one....

[sunburst]

Hope everything will be ok.
Enjoy your time in the Caribbean.

[tinstar]

Originally Posted by pdxrolex

i'd like some pics on this one....

x2!!

[8850]

Originally Posted by tinstar

x2!!

I posted a photo in post #21 (page 2) of this thread and will post one when I get the watch back.

Regarding the dial, the watch was my Dad's for many years and I'm not sure if the dial was original or a service dial. Since I will keep the watch and probably not sell it (again, since it was given to me by my Dad) this flooding experience will only enhance the intrinsic value but I am not sure how much value is lost if the original dial was destroyed?

[Some Pair]

Certainly a good outcome so far, on what was a nervous ride for sure.
Hopfully it'll end well.

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by 8850

I posted a photo in post #21 (page 2) of this thread and will post one when I get the watch back.

Regarding the dial, the watch was my Dad's for many years and I'm not sure if the dial was original or a service dial. Since I will keep the watch and probably not sell it (again, since it was given to me by my Dad) this flooding experience will only enhance the intrinsic value but I am not sure how much value is lost if the original dial was destroyed?

Good answer.

[8850]

***Update***

I took the watch to the local AD here on the island this morning who was extremely nice and helpful. He is going to open, clean/drain and seal up so that I can mitigate any damage and travel with it back to the US. He said it looked like the leak occured at the crown (yes, I had it closed) but that he would know more when he inspected/opened it.

I also got and e-mail from the AD who serviced it that said that they replaced the 'crown back gasket' when the watch was pressure tested and that it pressure tested fine.

Should know more tomorrow and attached a poor quality photo which shows the face.

Thanks.

[AWATCH]

For what its worth and it may be to late, but I would not allow anyone else to touch this watch. It depends on the integrity of the original repairing dealer but if someone else has gone into it, they may have the attitude that they will not accept responsibility......

[Bullyterrier]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

For what its worth and it may be to late, but I would not allow anyone else to touch this watch. It depends on the integrity of the original repairing dealer but if someone else has gone into it, they may have the attitude that they will not accept responsibility......

X2
I would leave it as it is until the person that serviced it has looked at it. otherwise they may not accept responsibility.
PS Sorry to hear that and I would be seriously peeved off as well.