Swimming with a Vintage!

[acf321]

Hello Folks,

This topic might raise some hackles, but I have to ask. I have just purchased my first 'vintage' Rolex, a 1980 one owner Explorer 1016, in oh so lovely condition! I also own a Submariner Date that I bought new in 1998, and I do wear that one in the Ocean here in Australia from time to time.

Question is, I tend to like to 'use' my watches, and this often involves going into water. This means, I do anticipate swimming in the ocean on the odd occasion with my 1016. Obviously the watch has been serviced, is in pristine condition and has been pressure checked. Do other vintage owners use their's as intended, that is under the water?

Keen to know what others do.

Adam
Sydney.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by acf321

Hello Folks,

This topic might raise some hackles, but I have to ask. I have just purchased my first 'vintage' Rolex, a 1980 one owner Explorer 1016, in oh so lovely condition! I also own a Submariner Date that I bought new in 1998, and I do wear that one in the Ocean here in Australia from time to time.

Question is, I tend to like to 'use' my watches, and this often involves going into water. This means, I do anticipate swimming in the ocean on the odd occasion with my 1016. Obviously the watch has been serviced, is in pristine condition and has been pressure checked. Do other vintage owners use their's as intended, that is under the water?

Keen to know what others do.

Adam
Sydney.

Short answer yes if any watch passes its pressure check it will be fine just like any watch no matter the age.

[Jason71]

Personally, I no longer risk a dial that is irreplaceable or VERY difficult to replace.

see this thread......
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=287895

[Mick P]

I swim with my 1981 Freccione, no problems and no worries.

Mick

[BH13GMT]

After having the experience of destroying a 3.3million serial 1680 Submariner with water ingress. I would suggest avoiding unless u pressure test often. The repair cost for my sub was around the market value for a beater 16610. The biggest issue for me wasnt the cost, its finding the parts. Took me nearly a year to locate a NOS Mk4 Dial and I got lucky.
For me I would use the 16610 and avoid the vintage near water.

[brandrea]

The short answer for me is no. If you have the watch pressure tested, then in theory it's ok, but I personally don't see the need. I have modern references for that.

[themaninblack]

Swimming is one thing, taking it into the Sydney surf is quite another, it's a very rough environment. Whilst it's unlikely to fail I wouldn't be too keen to risk it for assorted reasons pointed out above. If you want an Explorer type watch with some Rolex pedigree and vintage appeal to wear in the ocean then perhaps consider getting something like the new smaller Tudor Heritage Black Bay 36 at some point.

[Richard Carver]

If it passes a pressure test, swim. I trust a well maintained 60 year old Rolex to do what is is intended to do. I do not trust 60 year old bracelets. I would use Natos exclusively for swimming because it gives you a second chance if a springbar gives up.

Which brings us to the secret life of springbars. Springbars are hollow tubes crimped to hold pins and a spring. If you swim this tube fills with water and unlike the rest of the watch it cannot be dried off. It takes a long time for water to evaporate from springbars and if you swim daily it never evaporates and if you swim daily in salt water the life expectancy of the spring bar is short and brutal. Salt eating at the spring 24/7.

You hear far more stories of Rolex being lost in the water than stories of forgetting to screw the crown and even fewer stories of gasket failures. If you use your Rolex in the water, old or new, change the springbars twice a year. You have been warned :)

[BH13GMT]

A most valid point often overlooked Richard.

[mrricks]

I use a hair dryer on "warm" to dry the internals of the bracelet.

[JustinK]

I totally agree the watch will be fine if it passed a pressure test.

The problem is how do you know if you cracked the crystal or did something to cause the watch not to be water tight. You will likely find out the first time you go swimming.

I would not risk it and I no longer swim with my vintage watches.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Personally, I no longer risk a dial that is irreplaceable or VERY difficult to replace.

+1

While I could do it I just don't see the need to take the risk. My 16610 is perfect for watery vacations and the occasional swim in the pool, I wouldn't push it on a 40 year old vintage 1016 or DJ for that matter. On a vintage Rolex, I view "pressure tested" to mean "sweat proof" so I'll wear a vintage on a 100 degree boiling hot day without concern, but that's as far as it goes for me. Surf, sand, chlorine, no reason to subject a vintage piece to that when there are far better Rolex options.

[Frogman4me]

I only swim with a modern diver with a sapphire crystal. The only time you ever see a modern watch on my wrist

[Swearengen]

After Paul's adventure with the Red 1680 the 16800 is about as vintage as I go near water

[harry in montreal]

My old Tudor subs get brown rust stains on the rehaut when I swim in the ocean with them. Maybe rolexes don't as the metal is superior. It's exciting to take them for a swim

[crowncollection]

I do not


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[jban5]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

My old Tudor subs get brown rust stains on the rehaut when I swim in the ocean with them. Maybe rolexes don't as the metal is superior. It's exciting to take them for a swim

Wouldn't that mean that there is some seepage past the crystal?

[droptopman]

Not anymore. Took 2 years of relentless searching to find my gilt Sub. To me it is irreplaceable...Even my more common 1675 example does not go in the water anymore. Just to hard to find good 4 digit examples these days. Even though they are insured, I just do not think it is worth taking the risk. In a way it sucks, because one of the things I always loved about Rolex, was you can do anything with one on. I still believe that but with more modern pieces.

I will always keep a 5 digit around for swimming and other activities.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by speedolex

+1

While I could do it I just don't see the need to take the risk. My 16610 is perfect for watery vacations and the occasional swim in the pool, I wouldn't push it on a 40 year old vintage 1016 or DJ for that matter. On a vintage Rolex, I view "pressure tested" to mean "sweat proof" so I'll wear a vintage on a 100 degree boiling hot day without concern, but that's as far as it goes for me. Surf, sand, chlorine, no reason to subject a vintage piece to that when there are far better Rolex options.

Would agree - why take the risk when there are newer models for the water - peace of mind!

[acf321]

Excellent feedback all, thanks. Ok, so I have been warned... Still must say I do find it an exciting prospect, risk adjusted of course. Might have to stick to the 98 submariner for the water and 'sweat' profusely in 1016

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by jban5

Wouldn't that mean that there is some seepage past the crystal?

No, not necessarily. You need to read the thread that I have linked in post #3

[ABChop]

No.......absolutely no good can come from it....only tears!!
My new ones...yes.
1680 red, meters first,.....I'd be a fool.

[eco8gator]

Vintage = retired from service....no more diving. Its good for humidity and getting a splash when you wash your hands.

If you want to dive with a Rolex then you should do it with something modern.

[Aceldama]

I say go for it if you regularly get it pressure tested. Personally, I wouldn't do it. The parts are just getting too hard/ $$$ to secure.

[jban5]

Originally Posted by Jason71

No, not necessarily. You need to read the thread that I have linked in post #3

I see where you are coming from now after reading that thread. It's time for me to rethink my habits in and about the water.

[acf321]

Yay, there's the justification I needed to tell my Wife I need a new Rolex!!!

Thanks all.

[azguy]

why risk it, a good pressure test today could be the leaky watch of tomorrow and all the value is in the dial