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Mike734 · 4 December 2007, 12:51 PM

Spoke to a "watchmaker" today and during the course of our conversation he talked about how people with waterproof watches like Rolex are really blowing it when they wear their watches in the shower, hot tubs or ever expose them to hot water. He says the hot/cold drys out the seals and ruins the waterproofing. He was especially cautioning about exposing the watch to steam. He says no watch can be waterproof if exposed to steam.

I don't think he is right. I'm pretty sure most any 100 ATM watch can withstand a little steam and certainly withstand showers, washing dishes etc...

What do you think? He is replacing the crystal on my cheapo Seiko. I don't think I'm going to let him near my Omega when It needs service.

Letsgodiving · 4 December 2007, 12:59 PM

I wore my Tag for 10 years and showered with it every day and went diving with it on a regular basis without any probelms. Before that I had a Seiko diver and I did the same thing with no issues. I guess we will see with my SD but I'm not too worried.

rogerfromco · 5 December 2007, 12:10 AM

I hope this thread gains traction and gets some input from someone with first hand knowledge. I just bought my first SD and am getting ready to fill the hot tub for winter and would really rather not learn the hard way. I've had my old 100 M seiko and 50 M timex in the hot tub before with no problems, so I had not even considered there could be an issue with a SD and steam.

CoopJr · 5 December 2007, 12:28 AM

Between the Bromine tablets, spa shock and swings in the Ph, I won't chance the o-ring's getting damaged. It's only 20-40 minutes...our babies will survive without us for that long

Thomas · 5 December 2007, 05:06 AM

I can't really answer the steam question, but I have heard from reliable sources that a watch should not be subjected to the water temps created in a hot tub as it can compromise the lubricants. Besides why do you need to wear your watch in a hot tub for anyway?

frostie · 5 December 2007, 06:49 AM

I think that a rolex can hold up steam pretty well but i think that it's not advicable to use the watch in hot saunas.

Tools · 5 December 2007, 07:03 AM

This sure seems to come around a lot lately..

Your Rolex Watch can hold up under anything you can wear it in....Period. It's tougher than you are....

A hot shower isn't any more than 95 degrees, a hot tub.....a really hot tub, is only 104 degrees...

These temperatures occur all day long in the summer time and your watch is not smart enough to know if it is in the water or not...

If your watch can go down to the pressures at 100 meters in the ocean, which most of us can't, it can take a warm bath in a 36 inch deep hot tub...

CoopJr · 5 December 2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

a really hot tub, is only 104 degrees...

it can take a warm bath in a 36 inch deep hot tub...

Sounds like you have a tub

mikey · 5 December 2007, 10:03 AM

Seriously I have worn my Rolexes in hot tub hot and cold showers with never a cloud under the crystal.

East Bay Rider · 5 December 2007, 10:34 AM

Personally I'm glad to hear that my watch can handle these things because it would seem that taking off a Rolex before entering a public hot tub or sauna would not seem very safe.

Tools · 5 December 2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Personally I'm glad to hear that my watch can handle these things because it would seem that taking off a Rolex before entering a public hot tub or sauna would not seem very safe.

Yep... The chances of it being gone when you get back to it are probably much higher than the risk of water damage..

If Rolexes were getting consistently damaged from hot tubs and swimming, I think the whole world would know about this problem....

Incurable · 5 December 2007, 11:34 AM

If you think about it, watchmakers get to see all the problems all day long, day after day. For the most part, nobody takes their watch to the watchmaker when it's working fine. It's no wonder that usually the advise is to not shower, wash dishes, dive, golf, shoot, play baseball, etc. while wearing your mechanical watch. Personally, I have always done all those things and have never had any failure of any kind. Failures do happen but IMO they are the exception, not the rule...

Letsgodiving · 5 December 2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incurable

If you think about it, watchmakers get to see all the problems all day long, day after day. For the most part, nobody takes their watch to the watchmaker when it's working fine. It's no wonder that usually the advise is to not shower, wash dishes, dive, golf, shoot, play baseball, etc. while wearing your mechanical watch. Personally, I have always done all those things and have never had any failure of any kind. Failures do happen but IMO they are the exception, not the rule...

Good point.

rogerfromco · 12 December 2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

This sure seems to come around a lot lately..

Your Rolex Watch can hold up under anything you can wear it in....Period. It's tougher than you are....

A hot shower isn't any more than 95 degrees, a hot tub.....a really hot tub, is only 104 degrees...

These temperatures occur all day long in the summer time and your watch is not smart enough to know if it is in the water or not...

If your watch can go down to the pressures at 100 meters in the ocean, which most of us can't, it can take a warm bath in a 36 inch deep hot tub...

To follow up on this topic, I just did a little backyard experiment and the Sea Dweller came out unscathed! In fact, I could have sworn I heard it singing...anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you...as I plunged it repeatedly underwater and held it's face in the steam coming off the 103 F water.

I think the damn thing was mocking me!!!

Letsgodiving · 12 December 2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerfromco

To follow up on this topic, I just did a little backyard experiment and the Sea Dweller came out unscathed! In fact, I could have sworn I heard it singing...anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you...as I plunged it repeatedly underwater and held it's face in the steam coming off the 103 F water.

I think the damn thing was mocking me!!!

You could always try this next.

FanFromLakeMary · 12 December 2007, 02:30 PM

Case closed

DSJ · 12 December 2007, 02:39 PM

I would, however, caution against using a TT or Gold in the pool or hot tub if chlorine is high...
http://www.jewelry1.com/CHLORINE.HTM

rogerfromco · 12 December 2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

I would, however, caution against using a TT or Gold in the pool or hot tub if chlorine is high...
http://www.jewelry1.com/CHLORINE.HTM

Unless of course it's the Rolex Everose Gold, which is reported not to change color from contact with these chemcials.

http://www.rolex.com/en/collection/e...s/everose-gold

frostie · 13 December 2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

You could always try this next.

That's a good ad

Numismatist · 13 December 2007, 01:41 AM

How does the crystal stand up to salty/sandy water in beach waves? I know the lenses in my cheap pair of goggles always get scratched up after a week of playing in the surf...very abrasive.

DSJ · 13 December 2007, 01:46 AM

[QUOTE=rogerfromco;378780]Unless of course it's the Rolex Everose Gold, which is reported not to change color from contact with these chemcials.

I'm not going to be the one to test this with my wife's new watch, though!

rogerfromco · 13 December 2007, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numismatist

How does the crystal stand up to salty/sandy water in beach waves? I know the lenses in my cheap pair of goggles always get scratched up after a week of playing in the surf...very abrasive.

The sapphire crystal is tough as nails, well almost.

It'll handle the surf no problem.

4 December 2007, 12:51 PM	#1
Mike734 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Near Seattle Watch: GMT II Posts: 175	Waterproof even for steam? Spoke to a "watchmaker" today and during the course of our conversation he talked about how people with waterproof watches like Rolex are really blowing it when they wear their watches in the shower, hot tubs or ever expose them to hot water. He says the hot/cold drys out the seals and ruins the waterproofing. He was especially cautioning about exposing the watch to steam. He says no watch can be waterproof if exposed to steam. I don't think he is right. I'm pretty sure most any 100 ATM watch can withstand a little steam and certainly withstand showers, washing dishes etc... What do you think? He is replacing the crystal on my cheapo Seiko. I don't think I'm going to let him near my Omega when It needs service. __________________ Be Brief Be Brilliant Be Gone

5 December 2007, 12:28 AM	#4
CoopJr "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Coop Location: U.S.A. Watch: Subs Posts: 6,455	I don't wear my watches in our Hot Tub.. Between the Bromine tablets, spa shock and swings in the Ph, I won't chance the o-ring's getting damaged. It's only 20-40 minutes...our babies will survive without us for that long

5 December 2007, 10:34 AM	#10
East Bay Rider "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: East Bay RI Watch: GMT-II 16710LN Posts: 12,074	Personally I'm glad to hear that my watch can handle these things because it would seem that taking off a Rolex before entering a public hot tub or sauna would not seem very safe. __________________ I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46

5 December 2007, 11:34 AM	#12
Incurable "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Pat Location: PNW Watch: your P's and Q's Posts: 2,549	If you think about it, watchmakers get to see all the problems all day long, day after day. For the most part, nobody takes their watch to the watchmaker when it's working fine. It's no wonder that usually the advise is to not shower, wash dishes, dive, golf, shoot, play baseball, etc. while wearing your mechanical watch. Personally, I have always done all those things and have never had any failure of any kind. Failures do happen but IMO they are the exception, not the rule... __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy...

12 December 2007, 02:39 PM	#17
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	I would, however, caution against using a TT or Gold in the pool or hot tub if chlorine is high... http://www.jewelry1.com/CHLORINE.HTM __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

4 December 2007, 12:59 PM	#2
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,319	I wore my Tag for 10 years and showered with it every day and went diving with it on a regular basis without any probelms. Before that I had a Seiko diver and I did the same thing with no issues. I guess we will see with my SD but I'm not too worried.

5 December 2007, 12:10 AM	#3
rogerfromco Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ... Posts: 180	I hope this thread gains traction and gets some input from someone with first hand knowledge. I just bought my first SD and am getting ready to fill the hot tub for winter and would really rather not learn the hard way. I've had my old 100 M seiko and 50 M timex in the hot tub before with no problems, so I had not even considered there could be an issue with a SD and steam.

5 December 2007, 05:06 AM	#5
Thomas Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 625	I can't really answer the steam question, but I have heard from reliable sources that a watch should not be subjected to the water temps created in a hot tub as it can compromise the lubricants. Besides why do you need to wear your watch in a hot tub for anyway?

5 December 2007, 06:49 AM	#6
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	I think that a rolex can hold up steam pretty well but i think that it's not advicable to use the watch in hot saunas.

5 December 2007, 07:03 AM	#7
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,516	This sure seems to come around a lot lately.. Your Rolex Watch can hold up under anything you can wear it in....Period. It's tougher than you are.... A hot shower isn't any more than 95 degrees, a hot tub.....a really hot tub, is only 104 degrees... These temperatures occur all day long in the summer time and your watch is not smart enough to know if it is in the water or not... If your watch can go down to the pressures at 100 meters in the ocean, which most of us can't, it can take a warm bath in a 36 inch deep hot tub...

5 December 2007, 10:03 AM	#9
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	Seriously I have worn my Rolexes in hot tub hot and cold showers with never a cloud under the crystal.

12 December 2007, 02:30 PM	#16
FanFromLakeMary Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FL Posts: 73	Case closed

13 December 2007, 01:41 AM	#20
Numismatist "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Chris Location: Camden ME & STT Watch: 116600 Posts: 6,350	How does the crystal stand up to salty/sandy water in beach waves? I know the lenses in my cheap pair of goggles always get scratched up after a week of playing in the surf...very abrasive. __________________ Rolex 116600 Sea-dweller Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White Legrand FP Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White RB Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond Mozart BP Montblanc Meisterstück Mozart BP

13 December 2007, 01:46 AM	#21
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	[QUOTE=rogerfromco;378780]Unless of course it's the Rolex Everose Gold, which is reported not to change color from contact with these chemcials. I'm not going to be the one to test this with my wife's new watch, though! __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

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