Pressure testing a Rolex

[Ricky Rolex]

Does anyone know how watches are pressure tested to see if they’re waterproof or not?

Like, how is it done without getting the watch wet? Tried YouTube for answers but nothing great on there.

Interested to see how it’s done.


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[ltmgeller]

There are digital machines that do it but they are expensive and hard to come by. I tried sourcing one several years ago with no luck.

[BNABOD]

http://www.ofrei.com/page1677.html#30285

[mui.richard]

https://www.witschi.com/en/group-of-...fmaster-m.html

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[mui.richard]

https://youtu.be/BSeLt_dvRxk

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[watchmaker]

Rolex don't use the Witschi machines. All modern Rolex are tested in water, not air. It is the only conclusive test since the air/vac testers can and do give false passes.

They use their own machine called a Fathometre (well...Rolex stickers on a Roxer Natator).

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Rolex don't use the Witschi machines. All modern Rolex are tested in water, not air. It is the only conclusive test since the air/vac testers can and do give false passes.

They use their own machine called a Fathometre (well...Rolex stickers on a Roxer Natator).

Did OP even mention Rolex? I thought he simply wanted info on dry WR testing?

Obviously wet testing is more accurate, but that would require removing the movement so I'm guessing that's why OP is interested in dry testing info?

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[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Did OP even mention Rolex? I thought he simply wanted info on dry WR testing?

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I took the liberty of assuming that a post in the 'Rolex General Discussion' sub-forum was referring to a Rolex.

Yes there are dry testers, and Witschi are the industry standard. I was pointing out that Rolex do not use them and only prescribe wet testing.

Dry testers work on the principal that a sealed watch case will distort by a few microns when subjected to an over/under pressure environment in the chamber. If the watch leaks, the internal pressure of the case equalised to the pressure in the chamber and no distortion is measured.

Thick cases distort significantly less so the result of the test can frequently indicate a fail in a watch that is in fact correctly sealed. Conversely it is not uncommon for a watch to pass even though it leaks in water. This is likely caused by vibrations near the tester indicating deformation that is not happening.

[Andad]

Do you have a link that shows the wet testing?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Do you have a link that shows the wet testing?

http://www.hodinkee.com/articles/und...stance-testing

The watchmaker in this article uses a dry tester before a wet tester. That is a common practice (although not a 'Rolex practice') as it will tell you quickly if it is going to fail. The wet test is the real test.

[Andad]

The high pressure test is done without the movement in the case.

Then the case is opened and the movement reinstalled.

Is it then pressure tested again to check that the installation of the movement hasn’t compromised any of the gaskets or seals?

You couldn’t rely on an old test to prove that opening and closing the case again and reinstalling the movement had maintained the results?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by directioneng

The high pressure test is done without the movement in the case.

Then the case is opened and the movement reinstalled.

Is it then pressure tested again to check that the installation of the movement hasn’t compromised any of the gaskets or seals?

You couldn’t rely on an old test to prove that opening and closing the case again and reinstalling the movement had maintained the results?

You are correct, it should be tested again with the movement in the case. If water enters the case during this test it will be identified immediately with no harm done to the movement or dial. (It is worth saying that the frequency of failures on a properly resealed Rolex are very low anyway. The number that fail the second test after passing the first are even smaller. We are talking about a statistically insignificant percentage)

I know that many watchmakers skip the second test to avoid creating more work for themselves. This is an example of you get what you pay for, and is why I would always suggest people think carefully about opting for the cheapest service provider they can find.

[Ricky Rolex]

Thanks all. Very interesting.

[scurfa]

Originally Posted by directioneng

The high pressure test is done without the movement in the case.

Then the case is opened and the movement reinstalled.

Is it then pressure tested again to check that the installation of the movement hasn’t compromised any of the gaskets or seals?

You couldn’t rely on an old test to prove that opening and closing the case again and reinstalling the movement had maintained the results?

Also think of the time and amount of people involved, my tester takes five minutes for one test, then take out the watch and put in another, say six minutes in total, ten tests an hour x eight hours a day, 80 tests a day, 5 days a week 400 tests per employee, 1 million plus watches to test a year, think about it


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[donq]

There is an app for that.