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Annual water resistance test questions

Yehoshua
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Hi. It's been two and a half years and I haven't had my Aqua Terra's water resistance checked yet.
Must it be sent to Omega or can any watchmaker check it? Does the check involve changing of gaskets as a matter of course thus making an unauthorized check out of the question as it would probably nullify the warranty?
What does Omega do, just a pressure test or do they do something more intrusive at these annual checks?
When sent to Omega for checking, is the turnaround typically within a reasonable amount of time?
 
D
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Nothing intrusive.
If they go playing around with it they may cause a problem. I wouldn't expect a problem with yours if it has been well cared for.
Just a simple pressure test (usually to 100 m) is pretty standard when you go to independents of some description and it is generally regarded as being sufficient for non-dive watches if they're sufficiently rated.
I can't speak to the Omega way of doing things with the AT as they're 150 m rated.
It's an interesting question.
 
Yehoshua
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I would think that Omega for their part will change all seals as a matter of course every year that a watch is sent in to them or do they just pressure test as indicated above?
I'm asking if I'd be getting the right treatment if I just went to a convenient watchmaker for a mere pressure test.
 
YY77
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Yehoshua Yehoshua
I would think that Omega for their part will change all seals as a matter of course every year that a watch is sent in to them or do they just pressure test as indicated above?
I'm asking if I'd be getting the right treatment if I just went to a convenient watchmaker for a mere pressure test.
I don't think there's a need to change (and pay for the labor) gaskets every year, if it passes an annual pressure test and gets a normal service every few years you're good to go.
 
nordwulf
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Do you really need a pressure test every year? It is an Aqua Terra so not really meant for diving anyways. Most likely used for splashing around in the pool or snorkeling as the most challenging environment.

If the watch hasn't been opened and the seals not disturbed, they will last for many years.
 
Yehoshua
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nordwulf nordwulf
Do you really need a pressure test every year? It is an Aqua Terra so not really meant for diving anyways. Most likely used for splashing around in the pool or snorkeling as the most challenging environment.

If the watch hasn't been opened and the seals not disturbed, they will last for many years.
Skip you say. Well, really the only time it sees water is when I occasionally wash it.
 
D
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nordwulf nordwulf
Do you really need a pressure test every year? It is an Aqua Terra so not really meant for diving anyways. Most likely used for splashing around in the pool or snorkeling as the most challenging environment.

If the watch hasn't been opened and the seals not disturbed, they will last for many years.

Agreed.
After all, a run of the mill Rolex is 100 m and for the most part people don't have a waterproof problem between services under normal usage and that can range between 5 years and 20 odd years.
Not that I'm advocating for 20 years servicing or endorsing Rolex, but I use it as an example of what's possible.
 
YY77
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nordwulf nordwulf
Do you really need a pressure test every year? It is an Aqua Terra so not really meant for diving anyways. Most likely used for splashing around in the pool or snorkeling as the most challenging environment.

If the watch hasn't been opened and the seals not disturbed, they will last for many years.

Quoting an Omega certified watchmaker;

Archer Archer
Regular pressure testing and replacement of the seals are what's most important in keeping water out of the watch.
Edited:
 
D
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Yehoshua Yehoshua
Skip you say. Well, really the only time it sees water is when I occasionally wash it.

Then it shouldn't be an issue by any stretch of the imagination unless the watch has been splashed with chemicals or jet fuel or something like that.
To add, I don't believe even the most fastidious watchmaker at Omega would open it up to have a quick visual of the movement if it's keeping good time and doesn't show obvious signs of damage at this age. Somewhere between 5-7 years, yes they may open it up and or throw it on a Timegrapher to gauge the health of the movement with the visual inspection being the most conclusive assessment.

But a watch that's only a couple of years old and keeping good time with no signs of neglect?
No, they won't waste their time and probably happily send you on your way.
An Omega boutique can give more guidance with their in-house watchmakers if you have one close by and indulge your desire for a pressure test.
 
fiberguy
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Seals degrade over time. A quick test to ensure their effectiveness is well warranted, keeping in mind that the test will only be a snap shot of their ability to do their job at the time they the test is done.
 
Cenzo
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It's always waterproof, until it's not. Better odds of no damage by getting it checked once a year. Not foolproof, but could alert you to an issue before exposing to water. (and it might be washing hands or being in the rain, not necessarily cliff diving).
 
Archer
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Omega recommends annual pressure testing. Testing is all it is. The dry test is all you need, and what happens after that test depends on the test results.

In my experience with watches that have come to me with water in them, they didn’t fail when scuba diving, water skiing, or from even being in a pool. Most are from washing hands or doing the dishes...
 
ErichPryde
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Archer Archer
Omega recommends annual pressure testing. Testing is all it is. The dry test is all you need, and what happens after that test depends on the test results.

In my experience with watches that have come to me with water in them, they didn’t fail when scuba diving, water skiing, or from even being in a pool. Most are from washing hands or doing the dishes...

I think it is reasonable to ask, over what time frame did these failures occur that you are talking about?
 
Archer
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
I think it is reasonable to ask, over what time frame did these failures occur that you are talking about?

Not sure I can give you specific years, but the watches were well past a “normal” service interval.

But really the point I’m making is that just because you don’t scuba dive, jump into the pool, etc., doesn’t mean the watch will be fine if you just leave it. Once the seals are gone, even mundane water exposure can be problematic.
 
ErichPryde
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Archer Archer
Not sure I can give you specific years, but the watches were well past a “normal” service interval.

But really the point I’m making is that just because you don’t scuba dive, jump into the pool, etc., doesn’t mean the watch will be fine if you just leave it. Once the seals are gone, even mundane water exposure can be problematic.

Indeed.
 
Dan S
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I have many watches that passed pressure tests in recent memory, but the only watch I would deliberately wear in wet conditions is my G-Shock. It's not only water resistant, but also cheap and replaceable.
 
D
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Great thread with some sound information😀

What we don't know is what pressure an Omega boutique will test a 150 m rated watch to if we walked in and dropped it off.
I am assuming it will be to 150 m and the testing method would be a dry test.
If someone could confirm that would be nice👍

I ask because I have never bothered before despite the recommendation for annual testing with the longest I have gone between having the seals done along with a service being about 13.5 years without one sign of trouble and a lifestyle well entrenched around water activities. I've even had a badly cracked Crystal on one watch where there was no longer a replacement part available and it didn't matter to the watch in practical terms with no fogging evident.
 
D
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This thread got me thinking so I took the liberty of ringing the local boutique about their pressure testing capability.
The do it for free and state that it's a basic test and that it's only to 50 m.
Feel free to add your experiences while we are on a roll with this one👍
 
YY77
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D Duckie
This thread got me thinking so I took the liberty of ringing the local boutique about their pressure testing capability.
The do it for free and state that it's a basic test and that it's only to 50 m.
Feel free to add your experiences while we are on a roll with this one👍
Well 50m is 50m at Omega so this wouldn't hold me back jumping in the pool.
 
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