Watch Water Resistance Testing And How It Is Done

By Nancy Allen


A watch which is being considered as water resistant can be wet by water but only up to an extent and not for so long. Most of the watches are being categorized to different degrees of the depth of immersion. Thus, one must always remember that the ratings of resistances provided by the manufacturers are based on the controlled conditions from laboratories.

Resistances of the watches are going to decrease over time since there are constant changes of aging and conditions. And so people must need to understand that being waterproof and resistant have two different meanings. For example, when there is a need for a battery to be changed, putting back the seal may not protect the watch anymore just like before. For this reason, doing watch water resistance testing Cambridge is very important.

Manufacturers in Cambridge, MA are suggesting the owners to have their watches tested every once in a year and after changing the battery to ensure that the covering is properly sealed to avoid waters from entering the case. The tests are going to be done in the manufacturers laboratories under some controlled conditions. But do not expect that these tests will have the same results as in real life actions.

During the test, the item will be placed inside a chamber that filled with half water and air. The pressure of air is increased after getting the item out from the water. It is then immersed slowly to it. After completely immersing it, the pressure of air is then released slowly. If there are bubbles, meaning, the watch is not resistant.

The shapes of gasket seals may also be affected by the temperature of waters such as in hot showers and hot tubs. This is possible to happen when dipping the item to a hot temperature and immediately dipping it into cold temperature. For example, the item is placed in a hot tub and directly transferred to pool right after. Stressing the gaskets through rapid changes in pressure can rupture them.

The watches resistance is obtained by 3 factors that need to be considered importantly. These factors include the crown, gaskets, and case back. The case backs attachment to watches are implying two different levels on resistances. These include the snap on and the screw in.

The snap on type is sealed by a pressure and is considered to be the least resistant. And the second level which is the screw in type that allows tighter seal to case back. The screw in types will be threaded before being screwed to a case. And with the use of threading and gasket as its seal, a double seal is created.

Another factor is the crown which also includes 2 important types such as the stem of crown and the screw down crown. Similar to screw in type, a screw down type is threaded as well but this is screwed, matching the threaded tubes, the type is essential for the watches being submerged into water.

Another term for gaskets is O rings. These are made of nylon, Teflon, or rubber. These will form as watertight seals in the joints wherein the caseback, crown, and crystal meet the case of watch. Gaskets would break down and erode eventually that will diminish the resistance.




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