Saturday, March 18, 2017

Information About Watch Water Resistance Testing

By Patricia Hughes


A water resistant watch does not mean that you can go ahead and dip it in the water any time. There are predetermined levels of water resistance which is usually marked with the depth it was tested during manufacturing. But this does not mean that it can be used under those specified depths because a lot of other factors like pressure and chemical compositions can affect it.

The resistance level changes over time due to regular use as well as other external factors affecting it. You may want to have it tested by the watch water resistance testing Cambridge experts to know if it is resistant still. Here are some basic information from the experts and watchmakers of Cambridge, MA.

There are three main factors that affect the water resistance of watches. One of these is its case back and how it is affixed into it. It can be affixed with these three ways, snap on, screws or with screw in. Snap on has the least level of resistance with a depth of thirty meters while screws provide up to a hundred meters and the screw in gives maximum possible level at a hundred meters or more.

The other factor will be the crown, a dial used in adjusting time in watches which can be found at its case edge. Regular and constant use will cause its gasket to have a slight change enabling the liquid substance to get inside through its stem hole. Not pushing the crown properly and tightly will also cause this. Screw down crowns usually are used for resistant watches instead because of its gasket which seals the stem hole if tightened.

The last one is the gasket which is made of rubber or nylon and forms watertight seals between the case back, crown and case. The chronograph pushers of chronographs will have gaskets as well. Gaskets will deteriorate over time which affects its role and must be replaced when possible.

External factors also affects the ability of watches in resisting liquid substances well. The sudden and rapid change of temperature and pressure is one of this. Another one is when the watch ages and seals like gaskets are starting to deteriorate and will not be able to have the same protection given anymore.

Water resistance could be tested in two different ways. These are through dry test and by wet test. Dry test is when you put a watch inside a container and gradually raise the air pressure in it. If there are changes in the shape of the casing then it has failed in the test.

Wet test is done by putting the wristwatch inside a container filled with half air and half liquid. Air pressure is steadily raised while the watch is outside the liquid and then it will be slowly submerged after. They will then release the air pressure slowly and if bubbles do come out from it then it failed the test.

It is highly advisable to have your wristwatch tested at least once a year to know if it can still resist liquids. Check the rating of your watches and if it is below 50 meters then it can only survive splashes and not complete dips. Swimming and showering with it is safe if the rating states 100 meters or more so be careful about it.




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