Question about waterproofing

[IR201]

I've got an SD4K stamped from AD in 2018. Question is do I need to have it waterproof tested before using it in a pool or swimming in the ocean (I am not diving with it etc.)? If I do, how long does this take? I guess I can bring it to RSC in NY?

[beshannon]

Many AD's with watchmakers can do a pressure test

[HERITAGE82]

Your watch is ready to go to the depths of the sea. No need to waste your time going to get it checked. It’s a 3 yr old apex dive watch… Seals aren’t even broken in yet.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

Your watch is ready to go to the depths of the sea. No need to waste your time going to get it checked. It’s a 3 yr old apex dive watch… Seals aren’t even broken in yet.

For the life of me.
I don't know how one breaks in a seal of any description?
Perhaps on reflection, a Rope type has a degree of break in. Then there is Ochum as well I suppose, in a fashion

A seal of any description which is mechanically sound is at its best when brand new. After that it's to be expected for it to be all down hill

[ThatOtherGuy7]

^ what he said. Sure you can test it if you really want to but I don’t see the need. I bought a second hand Omega Seamaster many years ago and went swimming with it since. Never bothered to test it out. Going into water is what these watches were made for.

[sleddog]

If it were 10 years old, and a new to me watch, I'd most likely get a pressure test administered.
However, given it's a 3 year old watch, and you're not actually diving with it, I wouldn't bother having it checked.

[IR201]

Thanks all super helpful!

[Mystro]

There is nothing you are gonna do in the water that will remotely test your watches water capabilities.

[zewill]

Originally Posted by Mystro

There is nothing you are gonna do in the water that will remotely test your watches water capabilities.

« Op then proceeds to wind watch and set the time underwater »

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by zewill

« Op then proceeds to wind watch and set the time underwater »

[IR201]

Originally Posted by zewill

« Op then proceeds to wind watch and set the time underwater »

Lol


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by IR201

I've got an SD4K stamped from AD in 2018. Question is do I need to have it waterproof tested before using it in a pool or swimming in the ocean (I am not diving with it etc.)? If I do, how long does this take? I guess I can bring it to RSC in NY?

If you're not diving it should be fine.
A quick and dirty run-of-the-mill pressure test can be performed by any watchmaker within you're locality in a few minutes which will be more than adequate for your purposes of swimming etc.

Just so you know.
It was reported on this forum there was an ongoing leak issue with a DEEPSEA a while back now. I'm sure you are aware the DEEPSEA is tested and rated to be capable of going considerably deeper than your SEA-DWELLER
It was repaired properly after the second attempt by Rolex.
It's uncertain what methodology Rolex used to fix it in the first instance, but it turned out that the Helium escape valve was somehow faulty
The watch never went any deeper in water than sitting in a hot tub according to the OP

[Oxfordian]

Rolex website states that watches should be serviced approximately every 10 years depending on model and real-life use.

So a 3 year old Sea Dweller shouldn’t need to have the seals tested if it has only been for a dip in the pool or immersed in a bit of sea water.

[Master_Grogu]

Don't shower with it because vapor particles will get into it, and don't swim with it because the moves of your frail arms will emulate the pressure of the deep on localized failure points.

[IR201]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

Don't shower with it because vapor particles will get into it, and don't swim with it because the moves of your frail arms will emulate the pressure of the deep on localized failure points.

Hilarious. Any opportunity to push a narrative that people don't wear the watches, even if it doesn't fit the circumstance here. I've asked a legitimate question relating to when to pressure test, based on the responses so far.

[GradyPhilpott]

Never remove any Rolex from its protective box and always keep your Rolex in a durable, fireproof safe, securely bolted to a massive granite slab.

[IR201]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Never remove any Rolex from its protective box and always keep your Rolex in a durable, fireproof safe, securely bolted to a massive granite slab.

If you have any insight on how often to pressure test a Rolex Sea Dweller you plan to take into the ocean/pool, I would be grateful to hear it. Once a year? Never? Your thoughts welcome.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by IR201

If you have any insight on how often to pressure test a Rolex Sea Dweller you plan to take into the ocean/pool, I would be grateful to hear it. Once a year? Never? Your thoughts welcome.

I have read advice from others who say to do it once per year, because it's cheap and easy, and it only takes one time to really screw up a watch.

I don't follow this advice, but then, I don't take my watches into water any deeper than the kitchen sink.

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[IR201]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I have read advice from others who say to do it once per year, because it's cheap and easy, and it only takes one time to really screw up a watch.

I don't follow this advice, but then, I don't take my watches into water any deeper than the kitchen sink.

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Thanks. I'm leaning towards not following the advice either and just taking what seems to be the tiny chance.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by IR201

Thanks. I'm leaning towards not following the advice either and just taking what seems to be the tiny chance.

A tiny chance with profound consequences. It's your call, though.

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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by IR201

If you have any insight on how often to pressure test a Rolex Sea Dweller you plan to take into the ocean/pool, I would be grateful to hear it. Once a year? Never? Your thoughts welcome.

The old school rule of thumb was always to pressure test a watch annually if it was intended to be used for diving.
I think Rolex always used to subscribe to this view.

In your case it's purely a judgement call scenario.

I have done all sorts of things with watches over the years.
Some were beaten up with cracked Crystals and they still got wet/submerged without any consequences, but they were generally regarded as high quality watches.
Then there were those watches which were of considerably lesser quality which withstood hot showers but failed their 50m waterproof rating either by swimming in a pool or excessive perspiration in outrageously humid conditions. If I recall correctly they were happily replaced under warranty until the warranty was finally expired.

As recommended previously, you can simply have it checked by a watchmaker for piece of mind for a small fee.
Personally, I am a little more blase and wouldn't be concerned.

Unless you have reason to believe the watch has been opened by another unknown party other than Rolex the chances of a problem with your watch are extremely small.
At the end of the day a standard 100m test will suffice
RSC New York will be great as well

[joli160]

I bought this, so far never one had failed the test. Some are two decades old without having had service.

If it worries you just have the test done, any watchmaker can do it.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by joli160

I bought this, so far never one had failed the test. Some are two decades old without having had service.

If it worries you just have the test done, any watchmaker can do it.

Looks like it is submerged and under pressure at 40 psi?

[IR201]

Originally Posted by Dirt

The old school rule of thumb was always to pressure test a watch annually if it was intended to be used for diving.
I think Rolex always used to subscribe to this view.

In your case it's purely a judgement call scenario.

I have done all sorts of things with watches over the years.
Some were beaten up with cracked Crystals and they still got wet/submerged without any consequences, but they were generally regarded as high quality watches.
Then there were those watches which were of considerably lesser quality which withstood hot showers but failed their 50m waterproof rating either by swimming in a pool or excessive perspiration in outrageously humid conditions. If I recall correctly they were happily replaced under warranty until the warranty was finally expired.

As recommended previously, you can simply have it checked by a watchmaker for piece of mind for a small fee.
Personally, I am a little more blase and wouldn't be concerned.

Unless you have reason to believe the watch has been opened by another unknown party other than Rolex the chances of a problem with your watch are extremely small.
At the end of the day a standard 100m test will suffice
RSC New York will be great as well

Thank you!

[FTX I]

Did you buy used or BNIB? If used with no service history I'd do it for peace of mind.

[mmalek1]

Why not have some piece of mind. Find a local shop and get it pressure tested. The test is usually free and at worse, it might be a small fee. Yes it is true watches can survive many years in between services, but seals can start wearing out depending on use. For watches I regularly take in the water, I tend to get them tested yearly. It’s a little easier than dealing with a water damage watch repair.

[Gab27]

I would personally test it if not the original owner just in case the case back has been removed since it was last sealed either when manufactured or most recently serviced by an RSC or in case the crown stem was damaged. The odds of an issue seem incredibly small, but you never know.

[IR201]

Thanks all!

[CrackedDial]

Out of interest, how does the pressure test work? Are you looking for traces of bubbles and why does the test itself not risk causing damage? Is the tester relying on positive pressure keeping the water out?

[M45]

Originally Posted by CrackedDial

Out of interest, how does the pressure test work? Are you looking for traces of bubbles and why does the test itself not risk causing damage? Is the tester relying on positive pressure keeping the water out?

Because you’re not pushing water into the watch, you’re pushing air out of it.