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At What Point Do You Stop Taking A Watch In The Water?

  1. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Dec 12, 2014

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    Hey guys,

    I know many folks don't take vintage watches in the water. Does that apply to vintage divers too?

    For a more modern watch, at what point would you stop taking it for a swim? 10 years old? 20? More? Less?

    I'm thinking about a 2201.50, so like mid sights.. 2007 or so.

    Thanks!

    J
     
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  2. noelekal Home For Wayward Watches Dec 12, 2014

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    [​IMG]
    Got this vintage Zodiac Sea Wolf diver all rehab'd and running nicely. Supposed to have been resealed. Originally advertised to be good for 660 feet. It was drizzling rain the other day and I put it in my pocket to walk from my office to the car rather than to leave it on my wrist underneath a long-sleeved shirt. I don't wet my watches at all, under any circumstance.
     
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  3. alam Dec 12, 2014

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    I have yet to see any Seller - either private or dealer type who would offer warranty with respect to waterproofing on any type of vintage — there must be a reason for this.

    If I get a preowned, 7-year old (e.g. 2007) diver watch w/o any record of service, specially a recent pressure test, I will not go in the water until it gets the proper service. But crap, I need to find a good watchmaker who is willing to work on my watches in the first place! (that's another story!!)
     
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  4. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Dec 12, 2014

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    But after service and pressure test, then you would?
     
  5. alam Dec 12, 2014

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    Ugh? why not? You said "take it for a swim", I assume your swimming activities will keep you above 2000 feet - the rated depth of a 2201 ::facepalm2::
     
  6. ulackfocus Dec 12, 2014

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    No expensive (read: $2000+) watch of mine sees any submersed action anymore, whether it's vintage or not. That's why the Watch Gods created Seikos. ;)
     
  7. msp1518 Dec 12, 2014

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    I have a $75 Russian Vostok on the way to satiate my desire to take a watch into the water.
     
  8. UncleBuck understands the decision making hierarchy Dec 12, 2014

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    Stop the day the factory waterproof warranty expires and see Dennis's post above.
    The fish don't care for Chris'sakes!
     
  9. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Dec 12, 2014

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    I wore a Subbie 24/7 for about ten years.

    Swimming, water ski-ing, showering, working in flooded pits, sweating in tropical environments (and I mean sweating, like when it actually runs off your chin, elbows etc).

    Even at the bar, when the troops used to douse birthday boys with buckets of beer.

    It was brand new when I started wearing it.

    If I owned it today, it wouldn't even get out of the house on a rainy day.

    If I intend to / could get it wet, my Suunto is the gofer.
     
  10. RCAFBuster Dec 13, 2014

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    My watchmaker says, "do you wear your clothes in the shower"? I answer, 'no', and he says "good, don't wear your watches in the water either"!
     
  11. datniche27 Dec 13, 2014

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    Do you wear your clothes in the rain?
     
  12. RCAFBuster Dec 13, 2014

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    As little as possible, get into a pub if it's raining.
     
    watchme, Fritz, styggpyggeno1 and 3 others like this.
  13. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Dec 13, 2014

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    I never take any watch in the water unless it's a modern dive watch that has has had new seals and pressure test in the prior two years.
     
  14. styggpyggeno1 ΩF Enforcer ....and thread killer Dec 13, 2014

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    Depends.
    (dive watches)
    Modern watch (but outside warranty time) that has been recently pressure tested/serviced under your ownership = go
    Modern watch (but outside warranty time) that is said to be recently pressure tested/serviced = no go
    Vintage watch, which already have had parts changed (making it non original and not period correct) and when service parts are still available and if it is recently pressure tested = go
    Vintage watch in strict original state/period correct and/or where parts are no longer available = no go

    For instance - my Seamaster 1000m has a service dial and bezel. Serviced last year and parts available = go
    My old but recently serviced Seadweller = go
    My Seiko 6105 (not serviced and original parts not available), Zenith 1000m (no parts), Certina DS-2 SuperPH1000 (no parts) = no go
    Value is less important than these parameters (Seiko vs Seamaster 1000)
    [​IMG]

    Sometimes I use my vintage watches in pairs. Just to be sure I have one for all what a day can throw at me. The sound the watches make when the metals meet are reassuring and soothing...

    [​IMG]








    ::stirthepot::;):)
     
    Edited Dec 13, 2014
    Georgieboy58 and TNTwatch like this.
  15. jud Dec 13, 2014

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    I agree with this, buy a Seiko diver.

    I wear my Sub or Explorer in the rain, Speedy auto when it shines.
     
  16. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Dec 13, 2014

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    Timex.... buy it, swim with it, drown it, throw it away.

    Could take years.

    Meanwhile the good stuff is safe.
     
  17. TNTwatch Dec 13, 2014

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    Is this how you wear them in pair or on each hand?
     
  18. styggpyggeno1 ΩF Enforcer ....and thread killer Dec 13, 2014

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    Always in pair on one arm - otherwise you do not get the nice clicking sound of metal coming together...
     
  19. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Dec 13, 2014

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    Thanks guys! Getting a feel for it now.
     
  20. TNTwatch Dec 13, 2014

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    Oh, I see, like wearing bracelets. Just worried that the grandlux would be crushed to death by all that steel ;)