Pressure testing

[syata]

How often should you pressure test your Rolex?

I swim quite often and haven been locking up my Rolex (SUB, GMT, Explorer II) in the locker because I don't want to risk having water leak into the watch case.

I figure I should have my watches pressure tested before I take them into the water just to be sure.

After they are pressure tested when would you have them pressure tested again?

Thanks.

Stephen

[Tools]

Since the locker is the most likely place that your watch would be stolen from, I think that I would wear mine...

A Diver should be pressure tested every year if it is used for diving.. For regular use, as long as you are not using a watch in extreme conditions, the 5 year service where the seals are replaced and it is pressure tested then should be fine in most cases..

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by Tools

Since the locker is the most likely place that your watch would be stolen from, I think that I would wear mine...

A Diver should be pressure tested every year if it is used for diving.. For regular use, as long as you are not using a watch in extreme conditions, the 5 year service where the seals are replaced and it is pressure tested then should be fine in most cases..

x2!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

Since the locker is the most likely place that your watch would be stolen from, I think that I would wear mine...

A Diver should be pressure tested every year if it is used for diving.. For regular use, as long as you are not using a watch in extreme conditions, the 5 year service where the seals are replaced and it is pressure tested then should be fine in most cases..

X2. With Larry but will add most high street watchmakers/jewellers could pressure test to 100- 200m.Its not expensive to pressure check and not rocket science to test any watch.Now if watch passes the 100m test it will be fine for all pool water activities, snorkelling etc and if pass 200m it will be fine for scuba.

[DJJon]

I have always wondered:

If the watchmaker runs the pressure tests and it fails, is the watch basically ruined by the intrusion of water?

[roadcarver]

I'd like to know this as well. I'm assuming they run the test without a movement inside?

Originally Posted by DJJon

I have always wondered:

If the watchmaker runs the pressure tests and it fails, is the watch basically ruined by the intrusion of water?

[NYMike]

Here's the process Jon. It's not done with water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chfgU...eature=related

[Andad]

IMO that is not a pressure test is is a vacuum test to about -0.8 bar.
If the watch crystal shows a deflection then a proper pressure test can and should be done.

I do not agree that a -0.8 bar vacuum test is proof that a watch will be suitable for diving.

A pressure test is when the watch and the water bath is pressurised and then the watch is lowered into the water bath under this pressures and the pressure is slowly released - any bubbles from the seals are a fail.
There are a range if pressure testers available with different maximum pressure ranges right up to the biggie they use for the DSSD pressure test.
You get what you pay for if you want to do it properly.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

I'd like to know this as well. I'm assuming they run the test without a movement inside?

Hi Vernon,

If that were the case they would need to open the case again to put the movement in - then re-test it?

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by DJJon

I have always wondered:

If the watchmaker runs the pressure tests and it fails, is the watch basically ruined by the intrusion of water?

Originally Posted by roadcarver

I'd like to know this as well. I'm assuming they run the test without a movement inside?

Typical pressure tests are done with water. The watch is inserted into a sealed chamber that suspends the watch above the water. The chamber is then pressurized. If the watch has a compromised seal, the air will enter the inside of the watch case. The case is the submerged under water and the pressurized chamber is then SLOWLY depressurized. The pressurized case will then allow the air to escape from it's compromised seal (showing the maker exactly where the leak is). The watch is then immediately pulled out of the water BEFORE the case pressure is equalized with the chamber pressure, keeping water from entering the case.

Watchmakers will test the case without the movement if they replace crystals/crown tubes/etc and suspect the case may not pass. If the case is pressurized and the pressure is released too quickly, crystals have been known to blow clean off the case!

[DJJon]

I was under the distinct impression that all Rolex Oyster Cases were literally packed in water and then pressurized to the rated depth equivalent pressure after manufacture and before final quality release for shipping.

This vacuum test might detect a watch with a gross seal leak, that's only -12.5 psig or water depth of no more than 10 meters. Not a meaningful test to detect watches that have a fair amount of water resistance but no longer original depth rating.

[DJJon]

Originally Posted by handsfull

Typical pressure tests are done with water. The watch is inserted into a sealed chamber that suspends the watch above the water. The chamber is then pressurized. If the watch has a compromised seal, the air will enter the inside of the watch case. The case is the submerged under water and the pressurized chamber is then SLOWLY depressurized. The pressurized case will then allow the air to escape from it's compromised seal (showing the maker exactly where the leak is). The watch is then immediately pulled out of the water BEFORE the case pressure is equalized with the chamber pressure, keeping water from entering the case.

Watchmakers will test the case without the movement if they replace crystals/crown tubes/etc and suspect the case may not pass. If the case is pressurized and the pressure is released too quickly, crystals have been known to blow clean off the case!

Sorry for post of a minute ago - this came in while I was composing mine.

Thank You HandsFull - that is an awesome explanation. Whoever thought this out was very innovative.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Tools

Since the locker is the most likely place that your watch would be stolen from, I think that I would wear mine...

A Diver should be pressure tested every year if it is used for diving.. For regular use, as long as you are not using a watch in extreme conditions, the 5 year service where the seals are replaced and it is pressure tested then should be fine in most cases..

Thats good info Larry, I understood to do it every year. I only go in the pool or lake, ocean and maybe 15ft down at the most. I can quit bothering my AD now for a pressure test every year. He hates me anyways.

[roadcarver]

Come to think of it, that will be impractical, LOL! Especially if the seal passes, they need to open up and reseal, and retest but if it fails - it will be a repetitive cycle.

Originally Posted by directioneng

Hi Vernon,

If that were the case they would need to open the case again to put the movement in - then re-test it?

[Andad]

Youse Canadians.