Seamastering The Speedmaster

Being a grizzled veteran of Speedmaster ownership for nearly 72 hours, I have a question about the design of the Speedmaster: Would it be difficult to impart the degree of water resistance found in, say, the 300M Seamaster, into the current design of the Speedmaster? I have a pair of Seamasters which I like greatly, and nearly bought a third when I ultimately decided to purchase the iconic 3570.50. One of the qualities of the Seamaster that I like very much is the water resistance. I don't scuba dive, but like the idea that, as long as the screw-in crown and helium valve are properly closed, I can wash my hands, swim, etc. without great fear that I will damage the watch. I realize that, technically, I can perform the same relatively light activities with the Speedy, but I have the nagging fear that I'll someday look at the dial and find the chrono hands swimming in chlorinated water. I find the notion of a $4,500 swim somewhat unappealing.

So, while I would never dream of inflicting the helium valve onto a non-Seamaster, would waterproofing the pushers and incorporating a screw-in crown into the Speedmaster seem an acceptable evolution to Speedmaster enthusiasts? I realize that if a push-in crown and non-watertight pushers were acceptable to Buzz Aldrin, they should be good enough for me, but the Speedy has undergone some evolution since the mid-60's without losing the essence of the watch.

Is a little more evolution an acceptable development? Or am I going to hit the "create thread" button in a moment and turn around to find some kindly old watchmaker from Bienne fixing to kick my behind?

It may be officially 30m, but I wouldn't swim with it. Holding it underwater at a certain depth is not the same as swimming. I'm not sure whether you could actually make it waterproof but there are some here that know much more about he technical stuff. Would I do it? No - buy a Seamaster 165.024!

My psychiatrist wears Tag Heuer - I can't relate to him. 😁

If you want more water resistance, most of the Speedmaster range is 100m waterproof these days, which is more than sufficient. You still run the risk of pressing the pushers whilst underwater, which will compromise the seal, but it will handle everything else. If you want a chronograph that can handle everything underwater, then you will need to go for one of Omega's true Diving chronographs - the Bond 300m Chrono, or the Planet Ocean Chrono. These feature screw down crowns, helium escape valves, and the pushers are designed to be used underwater. They would be my recommendation if you want complete peace of mind 👍