Water resistance of your watch

So when it says "water resistant, 100m," can I swim with it?

 

this what i love about rolex.
i have an explorer 2 which i bought in '98. except for the last two years i have had my zenith i wore that rolex 24/7, at the beach, showers, hot tubs, ocean, gym, cleaned it with shampoo in the shower, and only took it off to adjust date at which time i took an old toothbrush to the gunk in bracelet....looks almost likt the day i bought it, tells time very well, and only needed servicing once (self winding mechanism). now that is quality.

 

Yep, the Oyster case used by Rolex is really second to none. It's so durable and even if the gaskets start to fail it is still very unlikely that water will penetrate. Mine goes everywhere with me.

 

That's a great disclaimer. Water resistance is a condition; you could have the watch checked today, bang the crown on the way out of the watchmaker's shop, and it's now not water resistant.

As far as a hot tub or shower I'd never do it. Just because a watch is water resistant doesn't mean there isn't air inside. Air hold water vapor. You can be taking a hot tub, and the air inside the watch gets heated. Then, say, you go into your chilly room. You can get condensation on the inside of the crystal to form in this manner. (Ever leave a cold movie theater then have your glasses fog when you get outside in the August air?)

It will get re-absorbed over time, but you run the risk of rusting or dial damage. Just my two cents.

 

My Casio has been waterproof for years! Best $60 I ever spent.

 

Yes, but don't swim more than 100 yards or so.



Actually, a 100m rated watch is perfect for swimming.

 

Thanks. The reason I ask is that I recently looked at another watchmaker's disclaimer, and it said that 30m rated watches can stand a bit of perspiration but can't be taken swimming. I was thinking, WTF? How can it be that something rated to 3 ATM can't be immersed in 5 feet of water? And yet, the same disclaimer said that their watches rated 50m or 100m can be taken swimming. Most pools aren't that deep! And further, the 100m watch can be taken diving whilst the 50m cannot! What gives? Is there a secret watchmaker's code about these ratings? I guess they're not so secret if I found it in a manual, but I can see most of the ordinary consuming public (like me) ruining their watches thinking something rated for 30m (without seeing or having a manual telling you not to) can be taken swimming in a 2 or even 3 meter deep pool (10% of 30m).

 

The way I understand the explanation is dynamic pressure. Say you dive into the water (shallow dive). While the depth is minor, the pressure from the dive may exceed the rated pressure.

 

I don't know what sort of watch those instructions are for, but I've violated most of those rules with my Rolex, and after 24 years it's still working fine, and still looks good.

 

My Brother got a waterproof watch one Christmas in @ mid-'70's.

It was sold in a clear, water-filled cylinder.

When removed from packaging, it was soon obvious the inside of the bezel was soaked.

 

I've had my Seiko Orange Monster in the shower, pool, water parks, the ocean, lakes, you name it. Tough watch with zero problems, never serviced and it still runs perfectly and the bezel moves with one of the smoothest clicks around, no matter the price. Great watch.

Three years ago I gave my brother a G-Shock for his birthday. He wears it every day and I've never seen a watch take such abuse. Last month he was mixing GROUT by hand with the watch on and it was completely covered. Some scrubbing and it looks pretty decent but definitely has a unique patina...and works perfectly. My son plays airsoft rain or shine wearing his Mudman and that thing would probably go to the bottom of the ocean without a problem. I don't think anyone can beat a G-Shock.

 

G-Shock really is the ultimate tool watch. Seiko Monster is also awesome.

There are plenty of watches that work with zero problems. How many people the world over wear a Rolex Oyster every day in the shower, sauna, pool, sea etc without issue.

People need to be aware at the difference between water resistance and water proof.

Most watch forums generally agree that unless a watch states 100m or greater then it shouldn't be worn in anything other than the shower.