Pressure Testing to 6 bar - Revisited - Must Read !

[Blackdog]

Hello again my fellow Watch Lovers.

Some time ago SALTY asked about the inexpensive water pressure testers available from ebay. These things:


At the time I was advocating these because I had one and was happy with it.

Now I'm not happy anymore. Yesterday evening I was pressure testing a watch and the THE THING BLEW UP !!!

One of the rivets that hold the pivoting screws to hold the cover collapsed under pressure. The cover flew away across the room carrying the watch hanging from the hook with it. (Relax, it wasn't an expensive watch this time)




The cover landed on the concrete floor some 4mts away (about 12ft). The watch was nowhere to be found.

This was in my garage where I have my guitar building shop, and after an extensive search, this evening I found the watch. I was enormously fortunate that the watch flew away from the cover at some point and landed among some plastic drawers and carton boxes in a shelf at the opposite side of the room (6mts, 18ft) and was completely undamaged !

Now, I have to be happy that it decided to blow up while testing a cheap watch I put together myself, about 400 euros in parts.
But I have tested my BlackBay, and my wife's Omega Seamaster Chrono in that thing !! Had it been one of those, or my Sub or SD, I would have had a heart attack right there !!

Moreover, had I been hit by the flying cover I would have been seriously injured too !!

So, if you have bought one of these things SCRAP IT NOW !!!!

You're only going to lose whatever you paid for it, likely less that $200. But you could lose MUCH, MUCH MORE !! Don't risk any of your watches with this piece of crap !!

Lesson learned, there's a reason why the Bergeon is so much more expensive. These things are nothing but CHEAP JUNK.

[sheldonsmith]

Wow, thanks for the follow-up. Yes, I was considering one of these because the price point is much more accessible, but after reading your experience, I am going to pass. Thanks again!

[Rolex fan 61]

You were really lucky that never hit you or another family in the face or head !!!!!!

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

You were really lucky that never hit you or another family in the face or head !!!!!!

Indeed. I was alone at the time and never thought about a personal injury until my wife pointed it out to me.

I was very amused at the time trying to find the watch and elaborating theories to explain it's sublimation or transition to a parallel universe…

I was amused because it was NOT a Rolex that had been volatilized !!

[Observor]

Thanks for the warning. I always wondered if the ones like this on the bay were safe.

Now I have the answer, glad you were not injured.

[Sidmind]

which model would you recommend that is sill at a reasonable cost?
Vintage? I am looking for one right now.