Annual pressure testing?

[kam1]

Hello everyone,

Quick question which has probably already been beaten to death, but does anyone think annual pressure testing is necessary for a modern ie 2000's and on Rolex.....for swimming and/or snorkeling. Not for diving.

[coralfarmer84]

Me personally I wouldn't worry about any watch less than 10 years old. Especially in the swimming pool or the shower. But with that being said, the price to repair a water damaged watch far outweighs the price of a pressure test so if my watch was getting older and I was the least bit concerned I just wouldn't wear it without a pressure test first.

[wantonebad]

yeah I would say that if you are diving regularly then an annual test is needed, but if you are merely wearing it in the pool and showering then 5-7 years is all you need. Desk-divers don't need an annual test, JMHO

[padi56]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

yeah I would say that if you are diving regularly then an annual test is needed, but if you are merely wearing it in the pool and showering then 5-7 years is all you need. Desk-divers don't need an annual test, JMHO

Exactly but myself would never go ten years without a service now any watch if bought used with no service history.Then a pressure check would be advisable before submersing in water and a full service sooner than later.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly but myself would never go ten years without a service now any watch if bought used with no service history.Then a pressure check would be advisable before submersing in water and a full service sooner than later.

Sounds reasonable.

But how exactly is the pressure check done when you take it to an AD.

Do they just do a basic 10atm check or do they go any further ?

I recently bought a Z-series 16600 with unknown service history and had it verified and pressure checked at the local AD/RSC. The lady I interfaced with said that it was safe up to 30atm, then rechecked the dial and called the person that I suppose did the check and asked if it was safe for the full 4000ft range and told me that it was.

I seriously doubt that they have the equipment to check up to that pressure, and it would hardly be necessary anyway. Does anyone know more ?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Sounds reasonable.

But how exactly is the pressure check done when you take it to an AD.

Do they just do a basic 10atm check or do they go any further ?

I recently bought a Z-series 16600 with unknown service history and had it verified and pressure checked at the local AD/RSC. The lady I interfaced with said that it was safe up to 30atm, then rechecked the dial and called the person that I suppose did the check and asked if it was safe for the full 4000ft range and told me that it was.

I seriously doubt that they have the equipment to check up to that pressure, and it would hardly be necessary anyway. Does anyone know more ?

They do a dry test first then a in water test but to be honest if any watch passes a 10 bar check it will be fine for all water sports except scuba. If used for scuba then a 200m and over test is recommended.Now all the watches made today that are over 300m these depths will never be used by man or superman.Its mainly today a bit of brag factor mine is bigger than yours.Fact today there have been more men that have gone to the moon than have gone beyond 300m underwater using just scuba gear.But for watches like say the SD, DSSD they are tested by Rolex RSC to there rated depths but a bit overkill as they will never be used.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by padi56

They do a dry test first then a in water test but to be honest if any watch passes a 10 bar check it will be fine for all water sports except scuba. If used for scuba then a 200m and over test is recommended.Now all the watches made today that are over 300m these depths will never be used by man or superman.Its mainly today a bit of brag factor mine is bigger than yours.Fact today there have been more men that have gone to the moon than have gone beyond 300m underwater using just scuba gear.But for watches like say the SD, DSSD they are tested by Rolex RSC to there rated depths but a bit overkill as they will never be used.

I love that statement of yours: "There have been more men that have gone to the moon...." Funny thing is that it would be almost just as true even if the moon landings were fake...

I also heard about the test-to-rated-depth of the SD/DSSD. The fact is that this would be overkill not only because of the fact you mention (will never happen in real life) but also from an engineering point of view: Once the design of the case/crown/caseback has been qualified by appropriate test (and I understand that they do test 100% of these to the rated depth at the factory when new), then an acceptance test of something like 30bars is probably all you need. If there are no obvious issues with the parts and gaskets and the WR is not compromised at that pressure it will likely work fine up to the rated depth too (the design will do the rest).

That is why I was a bit skeptical at what I was told at the AD/RSC. Do they all have the equipment to test to 120bar ?

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by kam1

Hello everyone,

Quick question which has probably already been beaten to death, but does anyone think annual pressure testing is necessary for a modern ie 2000's and on Rolex.....for swimming and/or snorkeling. Not for diving.

Overkill

[T. Ferguson]

I'm not in the water a lot to speak of but I look at a pressure test as sort of an insurance policy, one that is available either free or at nominal cost. It's not like I have it marked down on the calendar as something that has to be taken care of at exactly the same time every year like say April 15th or the wife's birthday, but I'll have it done when I think of it.

[kam1]

Thanks for all the replies....and the "men on the moon" comment from padi56....good one!

14060m and 16710 both passed today!

[MonBK]

Do you have unprotected sex with strangers?

If the answer is yes then never mind pressure test your watch.