Help - Flooded my Rolex

[Diver]

Hi Guys

I hope you'll forgive me for not initially introducing myself. I am new to the forum and desperately seeking advice/info from members who may have experienced a similar problem.

After surfacing from an evening dive yesterday I discovered my Submariner was flooded with seawater! I think the flooding was a result of attaching my watch onto a carabiner and clipping it onto another part of my scuba equipment (was wearing thicker gloves and could not fasten the bracelet's clasp) and friction could have opened the screw-down valve.

I am currently nowhere close to a Rolex dealer and it'll be 3-5 days before I'll be able to hand it in for servicing.

Questions:

- How worse can the damage get by delaying the service?
- Any idea of costs?
- Finally, any divers amongst you?

Thanks in advance.

[jasonbellevue]

I'm sorry to hear about the mishap. I don't believe a delay of 3-5 days will do much harm than it already has. I suppose the cost should be the same as the 5 year regular maintenance RSC charges, which is approximately $600.00. It should come back as NEW again.

I've been a DM since 1985, PADI/CMAS. I use my Subs to go diving. I don't use the extension over my wetsuit, I just wear it like I normally would and tuck it under my glove.

[Baptistman]

Originally Posted by Diver

Hi Guys

I hope you'll forgive me for not initially introducing myself. I am new to the forum and desperately seeking advice/info from members who may have experienced a similar problem.

After surfacing from an evening dive yesterday I discovered my Submariner was flooded with seawater! I think the flooding was a result of attaching my watch onto a carabiner and clipping it onto another part of my scuba equipment (was wearing thicker gloves and could not fasten the bracelet's clasp) and friction could have opened the screw-down valve.

I am currently nowhere close to a Rolex dealer and it'll be 3-5 days before I'll be able to hand it in for servicing.

Questions:

- How worse can the damage get by delaying the service?
- Any idea of costs?
- Finally, any divers amongst you?

Thanks in advance.

Don't know if someone will back me up here. But I was told if this happens and you can't get to a repairer, keep the watch submersed in water until you can get it seen to as this will slow the corrosion process.

[Jedi]

Any damage internally would come primarily from the seawater that would currently be lodged within the movement and dial.

I would suggest rinsing it thoroughly and perhaps even submerging it in freshwater until you can get to an AD who can dismantle the piece and clean it all up and put it back together. In theory this should help flush out seawater and when submerged help prevent rust from forming.

An RSC would be the place to go as they can do a complete overhaul. Cost would be in the vicinity of around USD300 to 600. That is based on my local RSC (Rolex Service Center) in Malaysia.

[Jedi]

Jon, you were too fast!!

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

Don't know if someone will back me up here. But I was told if this happens and you can't get to a repairer, keep the watch submersed in water until you can get it seen to as this will slow the corrosion process.

Sounds like a plan. Diver what do you have to lose? Keep it immersed in water. Hopefully, our TRF experts can chime in quickly to ease your concerns.

[chris_nor_cal]

Yes Submerge The Watch With The Crown Open In Fresh Water Until You Can GET IT Worked On. You Don't Want Internals Rusting. Good Call Jon And Lee

[Baptistman]

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

Yes Submerge The Watch With The Crown Open In Fresh Water Until You Can GET IT Worked On. You Don't Want Internals Rusting. Good Call Jon And Lee

[Stratton]

If you can't get to your nearest RSC I would ring them today and tell them it's flooded with sea water and send it to them today. However, I don't know what kind of mail service you have in Greece. Do they have a next day service at reasonable cost? The longer it's in water more damage may be done to the tritium or luminova on the dial and hands if they are not damaged already.

[SSD]

I have also heard that you should screw the crown down for transport to prevent air from entering with the water and speeding up the corrosion process. Sorry to hear about all this, let us know how it turns out!

[ofelas]

Agreed; submerge with crown open in fresh water first; when it's time to transport, screw crown closed while submerged & then remove the watch from the container.
The triplock can keep water in just as well as it can keep air & water out.

[buz-lh]

I've recovered several outboard motors from fresh water and the key is keeping them in the water until every thing is ready to immediately take down. Otherwise rust and corrosion set in the minute they contact air. I would think the same would apply to your watch. Try to rinse it thoroughly with fresh water and even leaving fresh water in the case would be better than allowing any air to come in contact with the internals. Take it by hand, not mail to your RSC ASAP.

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by ofelas

Agreed; submerge with crown open in fresh water first; when it's time to transport, screw crown closed while submerged & then remove the watch from the container.
The triplock can keep water in just as well as it can keep air & water out.

Sounds like a good plan of attack as well.

Best of luck to you.

[BlackpoolRolexCoaste]

It is essential that you prevent the watch from drying - as has already been suggested - keep immersed in FRESH water untill it can be professionaly assessed.
I used to sell underwater nikons (mechanical not digital) and this was the advice we used to give to people, on Nikon's guidance.

I would imagine the same would apply to mechanical watch, however I offer this in good faith and accept no responsability if you follow this course of action. Best of luck!

[roadcarver]

use distilled water, if possible. at least prevent any other contaminants like chlorine and other minerals from doing further harm.

[Tools]

Good luck with this. and good advice has been given..

What was the age of this watch and when was it serviced last ??

Was the crown unscrewed ??

How deep did you go ?

[wantonebad]

Probably different for a mechanical watch but for electronics the recommendation is to submerse the piece in Neutral alcohol with a high proof like grain alcohol or vodka. The idea being that the booze forces the water out. But when you are talking about intricate springs and tension screws on a moving watch it's probably a bad idea. Stick with the advice that has already been given.

[ofelas]

Actually, that's a great idea, and I don't see why alcohol wouldn't work on mechanical watches in an emergency. Alcohol would keep metal parts free of moisture; I'd use a high alcohol content rubbing alcohol.

[atldavek]

Originally Posted by ofelas

Actually, that's a great idea, and I don't see why alcohol wouldn't work on mechanical watches in an emergency. Alcohol would keep metal parts free of moisture; I'd use a high alcohol content rubbing alcohol.

What might that do to the bezel and dial?

I still am wondering how the crown would have just came unscrewed???

Even if it wasn't on the wrist.

[JBat]

Sorry to hear about this, but the good news is that you'll likely be able to get the watch restored to like-new condition. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Oh, and welcome to TRF.

[JJ Irani]

Rolex flooded? I'd call the plumber!!

[HYDROMAROC]

My TT Blue Face was flooded once on a trip to Hawaii. Bad news on the dial, it was pitted and needed to be replaced,... FYI

[slojoh]

let us know the outcome plz

[SeaDwellerBund]

This is amazing, keep it wet to slow corrosion?
I cannot believe I am reading this. IF you follow this instruction your movement will rot like all the metal found in the ocean, and start to rust overnight. You need to dehumidify the watch immediately, stick it in a barrel of brand new dry rice. Stick it in a container full of silica gel. Fed Ex it to your nearest service center. The movement is easily corroded. Your case is made of 904L but the movement is not! Good luck!

Oh, BTW, all the more reason to screw the crown tightly before strenuous activity. I'd rather age the gaskets by screwing tight rather than sacrifice the movement. What's more expensive, the gaskets or the heart of the watch?

[roadcarver]

I believe what the other members were conveying was to use fresh water to flush out the salt water.

[JBat]

It's true in so far as salt water is far more corrosive than fresh water. Either way, I'd get it in as soon as possible.

[SeaDwellerBund]

How are you going to do that with the gaskets in the way? The user's watch was under pressure when the saltwater ingressed. Short of taking the caseback off, the salt will remain in there adhered to all internal surfaces.

Originally Posted by roadcarver

I believe what the other members were conveying was to use fresh water to flush out the salt water.

[frostie]

That's bad you should ruch to an RSC

[roadcarver]

Come to think of it, you are right. The trip-loc crown is pressure rated up to 25 meters unscrewed (I think). It would be impossible to flush it with water.

However if the trip loc crown is faulty, then it is no longer pressure resistant at any pressure levels.

His course like the other folks have already stated is to bring it to the nearest RSC + that moisture absorbent crystals that you mentioned.

Originally Posted by SeaDwellerBund

How are you going to do that with the gaskets in the way? The user's watch was under pressure when the saltwater ingressed. Short of taking the caseback off, the salt will remain in there adhered to all internal surfaces.

[SeaDwellerBund]

Didn't mean to be rude. I like to undertand the limitations, too. It's too bad Rolex does not share very much tech info about their technical watches. I have studied the crown diagram found on this forum. There are 2 o-rings always engaged in the crown tube sealing the stem. Screwing the down the crown gives the third seal in the crown some sealing action. Just looking at it is certainly water sealed even with the crown open, with 2 o-rings- 25 or 30 M water resistance should be easily possible with just these 2 orings. Perhaps it was the pressure of his dive and the constant flexing of his unwound crown that allowed seawater to leak into the watch. I hear a movement replacement is on the order of $1200 to $1800 for a modern Sea Dweller movement.