Realistic water resistance at depth. Exp 2.

[Offshore]

I have no qualms about swimming with my exp2 and it rarely left my wrist this summer. I have full confidence in it's water resistance when messing around in the sea.

I'm planning on diving with it in a couple of weeks for the simple reason I'd prefer to have it on me than leave it ashore in a dive bag. It won't be used for timekeeping as I'll have a couple of dive computers.

I rarely exceed 40m / 130ft and never go beyond 150ft. I know it's not a sub but is this a reasonable proposition?

I've had watches in the past with a nominal 50m rating but with the practical water resistance of a cardboard box. Hopefully rolex are different.

The watch is around 3 years old and as I'm sure you're aware has a 100m rating.

[Yachtbuoy]

It's rated waterproof to 100 metres. It'll be fine.

[Jonny8]

Will not be an issue at all and personally I wouldn’t hesitate.

[Jonny8]

Duplicate

[Mr Ben]

It’ll be fine - I’ve taken mine scuba diving. It was amateur tourist dives - less than 20m but I’ve done it a number of times. Just today, mine has been in the pool for a couple of hours, the sea twice and a couple of showers.

It’s a reasonable proposition - I wouldn’t worry about it any more than something rated to 300m unless you’re doing some ridiculous commercial dives.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Rolex tests 20 - 30% beyond the stated depth rating. You're likely good to 120-130 meters.

No hesitation from me.

[173rdabn]

Go for it, no problem.

[Dirt]

I think Sylvia Earle has been known to scuba wearing her DJ

A properly maintained 100m watch should be no problem for you.
If in doubt, have it pressure tested before you go for some peace of mind.

[TimeLord2]

Pressure test prior to your trip and have seals replaced if need be.

[Tools]

You will be diving to less than half of its depth rating... do you think that is realistic.

[Offshore]

Actually, I hadn't really thought of getting it pressure tested but if it's a simple procedure that can be done 'as you wait' then I will do just that.

Thanks for all input.

The reason I asked is that most watches claim water resistance to some degree or other, but a lot of the time I suspect the integrity is nowhere near that which is claimed. I also have a Hamilton Automatic which is supposedly WR up to 10bar - so the same as the Exp2 - but it suffered from condensation right out of the box and a spot of light swimming resulted in water in the case.

Anyway - good to hear that others dive with the non dive specific rolex models and with good results. I will do the same and report back if any issues.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Offshore

Actually, I hadn't really thought of getting it pressure tested but if it's a simple procedure that can be done 'as you wait' then I will do just that.

Thanks for all input.

The reason I asked is that most watches claim water resistance to some degree or other, but a lot of the time I suspect the integrity is nowhere near that which is claimed. I also have a Hamilton Automatic which is supposedly WR up to 10bar - so the same as the Exp2 - but it suffered from condensation right out of the box and a spot of light swimming resulted in water in the case.

Anyway - good to hear that others dive with the non dive specific rolex models and with good results. I will do the same and report back if any issues.

Rolex is opposite these other brands. As another user said, they actually test their watches to ~25% in EXCESS of what is listed on the dial. You're 100% fine going to 40m with your watch, practically zero doubt (as long as it's sealed up properly).

[luk4s83]

What you see printed on the dial is a static depth rating and has pretty nothing to do with how deep underwater you can go in real life. Even though it will probably handle it just fine the Explorer II is definitely NOT rated by Rolex for scuba diving. There's a ton of articles about it, here are just two:
https://www.watchaffinity.co.uk/buye...ngs-explained/
https://oceaneva.com/blogs/watch-edu...PnoFez26c66EId

[dmash]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

What you see printed on the dial is a static depth rating and has pretty nothing to do with how deep underwater you can go in real life. Even though it will probably handle it just fine the Explorer II is definitely NOT rated by Rolex for scuba diving. There's a ton of articles about it, here are just two:
https://www.watchaffinity.co.uk/buye...ngs-explained/
https://oceaneva.com/blogs/watch-edu...PnoFez26c66EId

Lol at articles like this one stating you shouldn't take a 200m watch scuba diving, you know, like literal Submariners were rated to as recent 1989?



Utter nonsense

[luk4s83]

Originally Posted by dmash

Lol at articles like this one stating you shouldn't take a 200m watch scuba diving, you know, like literal Submariners were rated to as recent 1989?



Utter nonsense

On one hand you're right, but on the flip side - Omega Speedmaster is rated to 50 meters, you think it would be safe to take it diving? I wouldn't do it with mine :)
The reality is Rolex stated depth rating for the Explorer II is very conservative.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

On one hand you're right, but on the flip side - Omega Speedmaster is rated to 50 meters, you think it would be safe to take it diving? I wouldn't do it with mine :)
The reality is Rolex stated depth rating for the Explorer II is very conservative.

What does a 50m omega Speedmaster have to do with OP’s post or the article in question? You’re pulling up non-related tidbits for sake of comparison here.

Fact is, plenty of 100m-200m watches are fine for normal <50m dives and articles like the one you linked are nonsense.

[Andad]

Wouldn’t hurt to test it to 6 Bar before you dive

This can be easily done.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Sounds to me like it’s time for a new Deepsea.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I think Sylvia Earle has been known to scuba wearing her DJ

A properly maintained 100m watch should be no problem for you.
If in doubt, have it pressure tested before you go for some peace of mind.

Make that a 36mm Day-Date. Just awesome !
I had to dive with the CHNR as I forgot to switch to the Sub and there was no way I was going to leave it in the car. No issues and was a great experience.

[ocb]

100m

[robertengel]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Pressure test prior to your trip and have seals replaced if need be.

This

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

On one hand you're right, but on the flip side - Omega Speedmaster is rated to 50 meters, you think it would be safe to take it diving? I wouldn't do it with mine :)
The reality is Rolex stated depth rating for the Explorer II is very conservative.

Omega Speedmasters are fine to swim with and yes they rate them to 50 meters. 50 meters actually does me a 50 meters

This has been debated over and over here on this forum.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Offshore

I have no qualms about swimming with my exp2 and it rarely left my wrist this summer. I have full confidence in it's water resistance when messing around in the sea.

I'm planning on diving with it in a couple of weeks for the simple reason I'd prefer to have it on me than leave it ashore in a dive bag. It won't be used for timekeeping as I'll have a couple of dive computers.

I rarely exceed 40m / 130ft and never go beyond 150ft. I know it's not a sub but is this a reasonable proposition?

I've had watches in the past with a nominal 50m rating but with the practical water resistance of a cardboard box. Hopefully rolex are different.

The watch is around 3 years old and as I'm sure you're aware has a 100m rating.

Watch should be fine but when you talk about diving to 20m -40m then a proper dive watch with a time lapse bezel,or dive computer should be used.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

On one hand you're right, but on the flip side - Omega Speedmaster is rated to 50 meters, you think it would be safe to take it diving? I wouldn't do it with mine :)
The reality is Rolex stated depth rating for the Explorer II is very conservative.

Yes.
All Rolex professional watches are tested to 110% of their rated depth, but noteably the divers watches are tested to 125% of their rated depth which is in accordance with the relevant ISO standard.

Twinlock crowns are supposed to be good for hundreds of meters of depth(unscrewed) but the caseback may well deform according to Rolex.

[Old Expat Beast]

Many brands test to deeper than what it says on the tin. Here's a fun 2-minute clip showing a pair of Seiko Tunas rated to 1,000m still working at 3,000 and 4,000 metres.

https://youtu.be/sYVVGpZNyws?si=y5rGEmkql16O05TQ

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

What you see printed on the dial is a static depth rating and has pretty nothing to do with how deep underwater you can go in real life. Even though it will probably handle it just fine the Explorer II is definitely NOT rated by Rolex for scuba diving. There's a ton of articles about it, here are just two:
https://www.watchaffinity.co.uk/buye...ngs-explained/
https://oceaneva.com/blogs/watch-edu...PnoFez26c66EId

lol

They literally test their watches in hyperbaric tanks…

[Mystro]

I would take my Daytona on that dive. WR is never an issue with a Rolex. It’s kinda what they do with a case named “Oyster”.

[capice]

I have a friend who is a professional watchmaker, certified for Omega ect...I have my watches tested every 6-10 months when wearing them.

[1William]

No issues.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Many brands test to deeper than what it says on the tin. Here's a fun 2-minute clip showing a pair of Seiko Tunas rated to 1,000m still working at 3,000 and 4,000 metres.

https://youtu.be/sYVVGpZNyws?si=y5rGEmkql16O05TQ

Another gem!