Just curious.... Speedmaster Racing and '57 are both rated to 10 BAR (100m) water resistance. Would they be safe for casual swimming in a pool or 10 BAR would only be safe for washing hands, etc.? (Assuming that the watch is new and in a factory fresh condition.)
It actually means 50m water resistance according to Omega...
I used swim with my 3570.50 all the time, no issues what so ever. Just have to make sure it's pressure tested once in a while, that's all.
Al, does Omega have any guidance on a controlled pressure Test as compared to normal use?
Just curious.... Speedmaster Racing and '57 are both rated to 10 BAR (100m) water resistance. Would they be safe for casual swimming in a pool or 10 BAR would only be safe for washing hands, etc.? (Assuming that the watch is new and in a factory fresh condition.)
I'm a bit confused as to why theres so much fuss. A watch is a tool thats meant to be worn, especially if its rated for 50m. I'm willing to bet if you go swimming with it, you'll be fine. I highly doubt you'll be submerged more than 5 feet anyway.
) As I have said to many a speedmaster buying newbie and @tyrantlizardrex make a new speedmaster vintage yourself.
I personally wouldn't swim with a Speedmaster, tested or not.
But then I don't really like jumping into water with things that I've spent a good chunk of money on that were not 100% designed for messing about in water with - but that is just me!
As Archer says it's about mitigating risk, and trusting in the state of the seals/making sure they're maintained/changed properly.
I have a modern Seamaster APNEA that gets wet, and a vintage Seamaster 200m pilot line, that does not... because ones easier to fix if it leaks. 😉
But saying that the intent of the designers was not to provide water resistance is false. The seals in the pushers, crown, and case back didn't get into the design by accident - it was certainly intentional. Now it's not a dive watch certainly, but for swimming it's perfectly fine - again if properly maintained.
Cheers, Al
Hopefully this link works...
https://www.omegawatches.com/fileadmin/Customer_Service/omega_water_resistance_chart.pdf
In my view there are two issues usually mixed into one when this discussion comes up. What most people comment on is really their level of tolerance for risk, rather than the factual information that Omega publishes. What Omega says and the testing done backs up, is that the watch can withstand the pressures at 50 m depth and not leak. If properly maintained (not just checked, but actually maintained so seals replaced regularly) then there's no reason a watch in good condition should not be able to be used in water. If anyone chooses to do so is up to them of course, and I do have vintage watches that even if they pass pressure testing I would not take them in the water - the risk, even if small, is too great. But for a modern watch that replacement parts are available, I would not hesitate if the watch had the rating and had been properly maintained.
As noted if you do the math, the idea that moving your arms through the water will cause huge extra pressures just isn't the case.
I have seen and repaired many flooded watches - Speedmasters, Seamasters, and all kinds of other watches with varying water resistance levels. The key to avoiding damage is checking and replacement of the seals...
Cheers, Al
Al, stop messing up internet witch hunts and old wive's tales with facts. 😉 😜 You're ruining the Spee-eeee-eee-ee-eedmaster fan's lore, especially with the very true sentence above that's in bold.
