I may have gotten water in my watch

[F33A]

After some hot work in the garden I jumped in the pool. While in mid-air I realized that, for the first time in 50 years of wearing Rolex, I hadn't checked the tightness of the crown. The watch went about a foot deep for maybe 2 seconds. Not only was the crown loose...it was off the threads. Well, sh*t.

This is 2 days ago. I was hoping that I had gotten away with it but, 2 days later, I see a circle of fog on what appears to be the undersurface of the crystal. I don't want to take it to RSC Manhattan because they'll keep it for an age. I have an AD about 10 minutes away and I'm wondering if he might pop the back off and let it dry, What do you think of that plan?

The watch is a platinum DayDate 40 and it's about a year and a half old.

Thanks for your advice.

[kieselguhr]

Gaskets are in the inside of the twin lock. Crown gasket is secondary. But you can check to see if condensation occurs under the crystal

[Cambo]

At the very least have your AD take a look. If you are seeing condensation then someone should look after it.
Gardening with a platinum DD. I bow to you sir!

[Mystro]

I am not sure you do have moisture. The crown unscrewed is still water tight, especially at those depths. Fog can occur naturally under the crystal going from hot humid weather into a cold climate controlled room. It normally goes away in a few minuets. Fog for over a day is not normal. If you do have moisture inside the watch will need serviced.

[XBMX]

Years ago on vacation in Hawaii my President filled up. A local AD found the case back crossthreaded by my home dealers tech. I was lucky n/c, but I'd fess up and pay for my mistake, have Rolex check it out.

[F33A]

Originally Posted by XBMX

Years ago on vacation in Hawaii my President filled up. A local AD found the case back crossthreaded by my home dealers tech. I was lucky n/c, but I'd fess up and pay for my mistake, have Rolex check it out.

This AD is an "authorized service center" for Rolex. Are you suggesting that I not let them touch it? Manhattan is such a hassle.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

And also years ago in Hawaii I set the time on my Date and forgot to screw down the crown and jumped in the ocean. I had fog too. By the time I got it back to my AD at home and they got the back off the insides looked like an iron engine block that had been sitting on cinder blocks at the edge of a swamp that had intermittently flooded for years. I'd get it to the doctor quick.

[Shauz]

Originally Posted by F33A

After some hot work in the garden I jumped in the pool. While in mid-air I realized that, for the first time in 50 years of wearing Rolex, I hadn't checked the tightness of the crown. The watch went about a foot deep for maybe 2 seconds. Not only was the crown loose...it was off the threads. Well, sh*t.

This is 2 days ago. I was hoping that I had gotten away with it but, 2 days later, I see a circle of fog on what appears to be the undersurface of the crystal. I don't want to take it to RSC Manhattan because they'll keep it for an age. I have an AD about 10 minutes away and I'm wondering if he might pop the back off and let it dry, What do you think of that plan?

The watch is a platinum DayDate 40 and it's about a year and a half old.

Thanks for your advice.

I've been told to put ice on top of the crystal if condensation occurs... you're screwed for not 'screwing' .

Jokes aside, this has happened to me three times in the past with my sub-c all three times crown has been unscrewed in its winding position sub is trip locked so I got away three times.

Day-date are twin locked, if the crown is not in date/time setting position I'd say your good.

But if your really worried take it to RSC, should be a quick turn around.

[fskywalker]

Play safe and take it to RSC


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[ks58]

Sorry to hear. Take it to the AD and see what they say.

[Treetopflyer777]

I had “fog” once in a breitling navitimer after a momentary submersion.
Movement was wet. And it doesn’t take long for damage to set in (in my personal experience)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by F33A

After some hot work in the garden I jumped in the pool. While in mid-air I realized that, for the first time in 50 years of wearing Rolex, I hadn't checked the tightness of the crown. The watch went about a foot deep for maybe 2 seconds. Not only was the crown loose...it was off the threads. Well, sh*t.

. . .

A foot deep into water is going to put about zero depth-pressure against it.

The crown is not an open hole into the inside of the watch. The stem it screws onto is inserted into the sealing o-rings that lie inside the tube. Water cannot simply pour into your watch with the crown unscrewed.

Wearing a DD swimming is a different discussion, but it is extremely unlikely that any water got in if your watch if you don't see it halfway up the dial.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by F33A

This AD is an "authorized service center" for Rolex. Are you suggesting that I not let them touch it? Manhattan is such a hassle.

Does authorized service center just mean Rolex trained/certified or does it require under warranty to go to the RSC. I'm under the impression of the latter. Sorry to hear, but I'm sure you'll forget about as soon as back to normal. Such a great Day Date model. As other mentioned I think unscrewed should be just fine with a twin lock. Though can't say for sure the gasket conditions are optimal/intact.

[Michael T]

If it is fogged internally you have moisture and soon corrosion. I would get it to RWSC asap.

[Oyster_Jubilee]

I would get it checked out ASAP.

[horseShu]

Pics would be more helpful...


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[htc8p]

Sorry buddy you have to send it for overhaul. If not will rust and spread.


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[htc8p]

Originally Posted by Tools

A foot deep into water is going to put about zero depth-pressure against it.

The crown is not an open hole into the inside of the watch. The stem it screws onto is inserted into the sealing o-rings that lie inside the tube. Water cannot simply pour into your watch with the crown unscrewed.

Wearing a DD swimming is a different discussion, but it is extremely unlikely that any water got in if your watch if you don't see it halfway up the dial.

There is pressure with the action of jumping into the water


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[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by F33A

After some hot work in the garden I jumped in the pool. While in mid-air I realized that, for the first time in 50 years of wearing Rolex, I hadn't checked the tightness of the crown. The watch went about a foot deep for maybe 2 seconds. Not only was the crown loose...it was off the threads. Well, sh*t.

This is 2 days ago. I was hoping that I had gotten away with it but, 2 days later, I see a circle of fog on what appears to be the undersurface of the crystal. I don't want to take it to RSC Manhattan because they'll keep it for an age. I have an AD about 10 minutes away and I'm wondering if he might pop the back off and let it dry, What do you think of that plan?

The watch is a platinum DayDate 40 and it's about a year and a half old.

Thanks for your advice.

is the circle of fog still there? or has it gone?

People used to say you can put an ice cube on the crystal until it fogs up, and then if you remove the ice cube and wait or wipe the outside of the dial and the moisture quickly dissipates then you're fine, if it remains there is possibly water.

But for a platinum day date if I had any concern I would totally take it direct to Rolex if I didn't know an amazing watchmaker.

[warren G.]

Ouch that sucks. I did that with once with a different watch. Even to this day my fiancée will not let me forget about it. I remember going "Hey look honey, I can swim with this watch on *dunk wrist under water* with the biggest and stupidest smile. I had to get it service the next month.

[Sub*Man]

It needs either the RSC or a Rolex Certified watchmaker’s attention. Your AD, is an authorized service center, would be able to handle this. If he can’t, they will send it on on your behalf. They can also send in on your behalf even if they don’t do the work. Perhaps that will speed up the turnaround time.

Also, I love that you’re gardening with a $70k watch on. Well done sir. Well done.

[Smokyrich]

It is really hard to get rid of moisture inside the watch. You have to open backcase and dry it. Moisture contamination can damage the movements, dial, and hands. You'd better get overhaul service for the watch.

[S1mplee]

Send it off man! You can wear something else for the time being. I would not be 100% mentally functional if I thought my DD was jacked. Funny as others here commented, I too was pulling weeds the other day with my pt DD40, wear it and don’t be afraid, it’s just a watch!

[ThatSubGuy]

Originally Posted by Tools

A foot deep into water is going to put about zero depth-pressure against it.

Sure - if static. As soon as you move your arm it will cause pressure that can easily exceed 5 bar.

[pammo13]

Originally Posted by ks58

Sorry to hear. Take it to the AD and see what they say.

Do this first.

[brandrea]

RSC would be my first call. You’re not going to enjoy it if you’re worrying about it

[Nauti]

Can't believe nobody has suggested a plastic bag full of rice !..

on a serious note ..it's more than likely ok as earlier poster said internal seals will have more than likely prevented any ingress..

however for the sake of peace of mind I would be very tempted to send in for a service that will take away all nagging doubt and if it has any parts that may corrode later this will be averted ...you will also get a nicely refurbished 'as new' finish..

humble money when all considered ...

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Bozack90

is the circle of fog still there? or has it gone?

People used to say you can put an ice cube on the crystal until it fogs up, and then if you remove the ice cube and wait or wipe the outside of the dial and the moisture quickly dissipates then you're fine, if it remains there is possibly water.

But for a platinum day date if I had any concern I would totally take it direct to Rolex if I didn't know an amazing watchmaker.

This is true. If there is air in the watch there has to be a moisture content that will show itself under extreme temp changes. This is normal for a crystal to fog in these conditions and doesn’t mean there is any liquid that migrated into the watch.

“IF” the OP did get water in his watch with this action, the seals failed anyway regardless if the crown was screwed tight or not and it would have failed even if it was screwed tight.

There is no reason to freak out here unless the fog inside the watch doesn’t go way in a few minutes.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by brandrea

RSC would be my first call. You’re not going to enjoy it if you’re worrying about it

Truer words have never been spoken, for me….

[padi56]

Originally Posted by F33A

After some hot work in the garden I jumped in the pool. While in mid-air I realized that, for the first time in 50 years of wearing Rolex, I hadn't checked the tightness of the crown. The watch went about a foot deep for maybe 2 seconds. Not only was the crown loose...it was off the threads. Well, sh*t.

This is 2 days ago. I was hoping that I had gotten away with it but, 2 days later, I see a circle of fog on what appears to be the undersurface of the crystal. I don't want to take it to RSC Manhattan because they'll keep it for an age. I have an AD about 10 minutes away and I'm wondering if he might pop the back off and let it dry, What do you think of that plan?

The watch is a platinum DayDate 40 and it's about a year and a half old.

Thanks for your advice.

Condensation on the inside of the crystal is generally an indication that there may be a problem but it your case would doubt if you have any problem. Now condensation will quite normally occur when any warm/hot watch is suddenly exposed to a cold environment i.e. if you enter cold air/water then shortly after warm/hot water or visa versa. In normal circumstances this will appear as a very fine mist and should disappear in seconds, minutes, or a hour or so when the watch warms up. This is quite normal as the air trapped inside your watch after say a service will have a small amount of water vapour as its just like normal humidity in the atmosphere, if it disappears quickly all is well. Now if the misting appears as clearly definable droplets of water and does not clear quickly when warm, then it signifies that water has entered the case.Now this will NOT evaporate of its own accord and will need to be removed then afraid its off to the RSC as soon as possible, advise then to put the stopped watch in a bag of dry rice grains.


All information supplied from my own brain power, without the aid of timegraphers, phone apps, and the rest of todays Rolex watch toys.