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Are Omega's Dive watches water resistant when the crown is opened?

N
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I was looking around, but couldn't find any solid answers. Rolex has their triplock system, which looks to be very robust and clever - it allows the watch to be water resistant even with the crown opened using a few o-rings.

Seems like an easy enough system to implement, I found that the HE valve has a 50m rating even when opened, but I can't find anything from Omega that would say it has such a system on the crown. Closest information I could find was from this link http://blog.watchdoctor.biz/2015/08/31/rolex-vs-omega-case-tube-and-crown/

Would anyone that has actually worked on Omega watches know if there are o-rings or gaskets sealing the crown when opened?

Thanks for any information!
 
Dan S
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N nnhoang
Would anyone that has actually worked on Omega watches know if there are o-rings or gaskets sealing the crown when opened?

Not specifically sealing the crown itself when opened/unscrewed, but yes there are gaskets that create seals between the tube and the stem or other components. Here are a few threads that have addressed this topic. If you search, you will probably find more. The bottom line, however, is that it is best to leave the crown closed when the watch is submerged.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/did-i-just-ruin-my-seamaster-pro.49356/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/helium-escapement-valves.41622/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/at-screwdown-crown.9669/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/crown-question.105119/
 
Archer
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N nnhoang
Would anyone that has actually worked on Omega watches know if there are o-rings or gaskets sealing the crown when opened?

Yes, the crown is still water resistant when unscrewed, or when pulled out to the various setting positions.
 
Rado63
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I believe all modern divers offer some water resistance when if the crown should be left without being screwed down. Remember that even if screwed down the crown and tube are a maintenance item. So water resistance isn't guaranteed if you are not following a maintenance plan. Currently Breitling sells the 57 re edition of a diver without a screw down crown rated at 100m / 330 ft. That watch was designed that way. I imagine that most divers would survive use in the water with crown unscrewed due to the O-rings in place and since it is doubtful you will dive anywhere near 100m deep I am sure you would be ok. When I do wear a diver with the intention of diving, then checking the crown is part of my pre dive checklist so I don't need to risk it.
 
Canuck
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Ask the people who designed screw down crowns, that question As the people who make the watches that have screw down crowns, that question! Every water resistant watch is water resistant, until it leaks,
 
Blackdog
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The Seiko DIVER
Canuck Canuck
Every water resistant watch is water resistant, until it leaks,
Wow ! That's profound !👍
 
Archer
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farmerboy farmerboy
Would the watch be water resistant to its full rated depth?

Technically, there's no difference at all with how the seal works against the case tube when the crown is screwed down, or if it isn't screwed down, so yes. But I don't recommend leaving the crown unscrewed regardless.
 
Canuck
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Blackdog Blackdog
The Seiko DIVER

Wow ! That's profound !👍

Most people with a modicum of brains understand what I said. What does that say about you?
 
Blackdog
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I don't think the WR with crown unscrewed is specified or tested in most cases, because it is not the intended way to operate it.

The main purpose of the screw-down crown is mechanical protection, to avoid crown movement and wiggling of the stem on the gaskets inside the tube while under water.

Sure, most brands include extra gaskets inside the crown, which will add another layer of protection against water ingress, the Trip-Lock being the most over-engineered I know of. On the other end, the Seiko DIVER's don't have any additional gasket. The only protection is the one (sometimes 2 together) o-ring on the stem, sealing against the tube walls. The screw-down function is strictly for mechanical protection.

I have a Steinhart Ocean 1 Bronze. It has an o-ring inside the tube and a flat gasket inside the crown. While diving in Tenerife the crown got unscrewed rubbing against the wetsuit, and sea water got in. So.... In a static pressure test, maybe it is still WR with the crown unscrewed. But IRL, definitely not advisable.
 
Archer
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Blackdog Blackdog
I have a Steinhart Ocean 1 Bronze. It has an o-ring inside the tube and a flat gasket inside the crown. While diving in Tenerife the crown got unscrewed rubbing against the wetsuit, and sea water got in. So.... In a static pressure test, maybe it is still WR with the crown unscrewed. But IRL, definitely not advisable.

Curious what the service history was on that watch. How long had you owned it, and how long since the last pressure test and seal replacement?
 
Blackdog
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Archer Archer
Curious what the service history was on that watch. How long had you owned it, and how long since the last pressure test and seal replacement?
No service history, because the watch was about one year old.
I have a wet tester that goes up to 6 bar, and I usually check the watches that I intend to dive with before going on holidays. With the crown properly screwed in it passed without any issues.

I could only open the watch after I came back home, one week after the incident. The dial and hands were undamaged, but the movement was pretty much gone. I replaced the movement with a new one (ETA 2824-2), and checked the gaskets. Found that the o-ring inside the tube was a bit loose in its groove, and I replaced with a slightly thicker one that fit perfectly. My guess is that this was the likely cause, not the right o-ring.
 
Tekashi_145.022
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If we ever do find ourselves with the crown unscrewed while in the water, should we leave the crown unscrewed until it dries out before screwing the crown back in, or immediately screw the crown down while the watch is still wet?

In other words, would screwing the crown in while it’s wet trap water in - possibly even eroding gaskets if it’s salt or chlorinated water that the watch has been exposed to?
 
Archer
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Tekashi_145.022 Tekashi_145.022
If we ever do find ourselves with the crown unscrewed while in the water, should we leave the crown unscrewed until it dries out before screwing the crown back in, or immediately screw the crown down while the watch is still wet?

In other words, would screwing the crown in while it’s wet trap water in - possibly even eroding gaskets if it’s salt or chlorinated water that the watch has been exposed to?

It would depend on the seal arrangement, but likely safer to dry it out first.
 
kcgunner
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Yes they have some degree of water resistance even with the crown unscrewed. I know I have forgot and got in the shower or bath and had the crown unscrewed and it was fine. I wouldn't recommend it but you should be fine as long as you're not diving with it open.
 
N
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Archer Archer
Yes, the crown is still water resistant when unscrewed, or when pulled out to the various setting positions.

Wow, didn't expect it to also keep the water resistance when pulled out to the setting positions. So what purpose would the screwing down be for, just so the watch doesn't accidentally get knocked in different positions while worn?

This was more of a watch nerd question, I wanted to see if Omega had a system similar to Rolex's Triplock since Rolex does advertise it quite a bit. Would you by any chance have a schematic or diagram of how Omega's crown looks like? Kind of something like this ?
 
rahul718
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Archer Archer
Technically, there's no difference at all with how the seal works against the case tube when the crown is screwed down, or if it isn't screwed down, so yes. But I don't recommend leaving the crown unscrewed regardless.

@Archer

On a brand new PO 8900 is it possible for humidity to enter the watch via the crown in the time setting position when pulled out all the way? I know there’s a seal that apparently isn’t impacted by crown position. I inadvertently left the crown pulled out all the way when I was setting the time and stepped outside for 2 minutes (no rain, not overly humid). Wanted to know if there’s a chance that humidity could have gone inside or if this is a non issue? Haven’t noticed anything that was suggest otherwise and this was 4 days ago.
 
Archer
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rahul718 rahul718
@Archer

On a brand new PO 8900 is it possible for humidity to enter the watch via the crown in the time setting position when pulled out all the way? I know there’s a seal that apparently isn’t impacted by crown position. I inadvertently left the crown pulled out all the way when I was setting the time and stepped outside for 2 minutes (no rain, not overly humid). Wanted to know if there’s a chance that humidity could have gone inside or if this is a non issue? Haven’t noticed anything that was suggest otherwise and this was 4 days ago.

With all that has been said in this thread, and that I've demonstrated in others, what do you think?
 
Davidt
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rahul718 rahul718
@Archer

On a brand new PO 8900 is it possible for humidity to enter the watch via the crown in the time setting position when pulled out all the way? I know there’s a seal that apparently isn’t impacted by crown position. I inadvertently left the crown pulled out all the way when I was setting the time and stepped outside for 2 minutes (no rain, not overly humid). Wanted to know if there’s a chance that humidity could have gone inside or if this is a non issue? Haven’t noticed anything that was suggest otherwise and this was 4 days ago.

If you were outside for several minutes with the crown unscrewed I’d be more concerned about helium escaping from the watch than moisture getting in.
 
rahul718
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Archer Archer
With all that has been said in this thread, and that I've demonstrated in others, what do you think?

I’ve also read about people saying moisture or humidity got in their watches with the crown left open (not exposed to water) so I’m honestly not sure what to think.
 
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