New Submariner 116613 water resistance time

[neilmc]

Hi all, I am just about to take delivery of a new 116613 Sub, but I am wondering, if the service intervals are now 5 years, realistically in every day wear, how long should the watch stay water resistant before needing the seals changed? Many thanks.

[watchwatcher]

I believe the recommended service intervals are actually 10 years now, but I wouldn't wait that long to have your watch pressure tested, especially if heavy use in the water.

[droptopman]

Congrats on a great choice. Really hard to say. I have a 5513 from 1966 with unknown service history and had it pressure tested recently and it passed. As far as we know it is all original. Rolex really builds watches that last. I wore a 16613 without servicing daily for over 10+ years and never had an issue with water resistance. I am a daily workout guy and part of that is a soak in the Jacuzzi. Obviously not recommended but is evidence that water resistance can last for many years.

[neilmc]

Ahh, 10 years. Even better. I was thinking of the 5yr warranty! Well, it will rarely see water other than a holiday pool twice a year or washing the car,so hopefully I am good for 3 years. Don't fancy pushing it past that time!

[uansari1]

I pay the few bucks to have my watches pressure tested every year. Even though I only occasionally wear them in such environments (rafting, swimming, etc.), it's worth the small cost to have peace of mind. Oh, and I also wash my watches every couple of weeks.

[nobbylon]

Actual usage shouldn't matter at all. Heavy or light. The seals used in the last 10-15 years seem to last a long time. My Submariner was last serviced 10 years ago and recently the back was taken off to check the seal. No drying out whatsoever, still supple. Back was replaced and pressure tested no problem. The watch had been in temperatures from -17c to + 40c ambient to being in hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. I had it in the water probably 3x /week for that 10 years and it's still passing pressure testing. Had it done about 3 months ago.

[neilmc]

Thank you all. That is good news. I am just paranoid as I had a chronomat that misted up 2 years out of service many moons ago and I am now paranoid. I guess seal technology and Rolex know how is far superior nowadays.

[crowncollection]

pressure test every 2 years at least imho

[nobbylon]

I should add that I got mine tested every 12 months even though it wasn't serviced. If you are in the water a lot then it's a wise precaution. Bexley used to do mine for free when I lived in the UK.

[Timesurfer]

I ask my "guy" to check them whenever I take them for a tweak or anything else... but they can go for a couple of years without being checked, your call.... doesn't hurt and it could prevent an issue....

Good luck!

[m j b]

Nice choice, OP.

How do they pressure test a watch anyway? I understand that you put it into a pressure vessel, but how do they determine if the seals are OK?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by neilmc

Hi all, I am just about to take delivery of a new 116613 Sub, but I am wondering, if the service intervals are now 5 years, realistically in every day wear, how long should the watch stay water resistant before needing the seals changed? Many thanks.

Well that would depend on what you was using the watch for,if used as a working tool with a lot of work underwater the it would be wise to pressure check once a year.Even a high street pressure test to 100m-200m will be fine for all water activities including scuba if passes.If you dive say once or twice a year then every two year should be fine.Now if you are a desk diver and say only wear in shower or pool just use your common sense.The seals today are mostly Viton Rubber and Nitrile Rubber that have a very long life if left undisturbed, case not opened and winding crown screwed down just finger tight.. Although Rolex now states a 10 year service again common sense should prevail on how the watch was used.If the watch was used only for desk diving myself would still pressure say after 5 years of wearing.As for service well normally the watch movement will start giving tell tale signs like accuracy not consistent or not holding power-reserve.

[Passionata]

I do PT every year once before summer none of my Rolex watches ever failed between the regular 7years service intervals.


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