Waterproof-ness and how the crown gasket works?

[Furrygoat]

I was just washing my new ish (bought used from a reputable seller, G serial, no service done) 116710 in a bowl of warm water, and noticed some bubbles coming very infrequently from all over the watch from the bracelet to the back, to the crown area. I figured that this was just air trapped to the surface of the metal since it was random, but I unscrewed the crown after I dried it all off, and it seemed like the crown gasket might've touched just a bit of water.

I took a piece of toilet paper and creased it and ran it against the crown tube/gasket, and I didn't get a sense of weather it picked up any moisture or not, but I'm thinking there was just a touch of water making it through, as the gasket was sort of shiny as opposed to a little linty/dust particle laden as usual. Is this supposed to happen and that's why there's a gasket on the crown tube, or is this an indicator of something that needs to be addressed?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Andad]

IMO what you saw were trapped air bubbles.

Even if the triplock and crystal seals were faulty you would not see any bubbles coming from the watch.

The crown seal is not the main seal for the crown stem.

[Furrygoat]

Thanks for the input. I've been searching threads and the little info I can come up with says that the crown tube gasket seals to a gasket that is fitted under the crown. Then there are the main gaskets inside the crown tube that do all the protecting.

I guess it makes sense that the crown tube gasket might get a little wet, since it might be slightly exposed (seeing as how the crowns don't fit flush against the cases and thus, some of the tube is inherently exposed.) And again, it didn't even seem to be wet for sure.

Anyway, thanks for the vote of confidence!

[Tools]

You're fine.

The gasket on the outside of the tube isn't the crown gasket. That's a gasket you cannot see and is inside at the top of the crown and then the main seals are inside the tube and seal around the stem.

That outside gasket is complete overkill and the GMT did just fine without one there for over 50 years. Any water you saw is likely insignificant moisture wicked from the threads..

[Glidelock]

If your watch is flooded you will see condensation built up from the underwood the crystal within an hour or so if the water intrusion. That said, even if your crown was not screwed in at all, you would have no water intrusion based on the triplock's multi-layer protection system. Unless of course there was a catastrophic failure of the triplock's system, which is unlikely. In other words, your watch is fine!

[Furrygoat]

Thanks for all the input

[Andad]

This pix shows the seals as Larry has described them.

[AF_Rob]

Take your watch into the bathroom when you take a shower. If there is any water in there it will be very apparent with condensation on the inside when you hop out.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Furrygoat

I was just washing my new ish (bought used from a reputable seller, G serial, no service done) 116710 in a bowl of warm water, and noticed some bubbles coming very infrequently from all over the watch from the bracelet to the back, to the crown area. I figured that this was just air trapped to the surface of the metal since it was random, but I unscrewed the crown after I dried it all off, and it seemed like the crown gasket might've touched just a bit of water.

I took a piece of toilet paper and creased it and ran it against the crown tube/gasket, and I didn't get a sense of weather it picked up any moisture or not, but I'm thinking there was just a touch of water making it through, as the gasket was sort of shiny as opposed to a little linty/dust particle laden as usual. Is this supposed to happen and that's why there's a gasket on the crown tube, or is this an indicator of something that needs to be addressed?

Thanks in advance for any input.

The main stem seal is inside the case itself,and when screwing down the crown just screw it down finger tight no force is needed.



Left to right, HEV, Chrono pushers like on Daytona Tudor range,Twin Lock,Triplock.

[Shibumi]

Is there any more detailed diagram or video showing the gaskets and mechanism? Love the metal models pictured, but can't see the details in the pictures...