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What temperature can watches withstand?

Japanred
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Does anyone know what temperatures modern Omega watches can withstand without being damaged?

I know they tested the speedmaster Moonwatch to -18*C for 4 hrs. Does this apply to all modern Speedmasters? What temperature would be recommended for a period of say 24hrs, whilst off the wrist?
 
sjg22
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Being in Canada, I’ve had watches on the wrist in -40*C weather. Haven’t seen any specific issues. I supervised a project near Hudson’s Bay for a number of a months a few years ago and exposed a 300M “Bond” to -20-40*C for hours at a time with no obvious ill effects.
 
Japanred
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sjg22 sjg22
Being in Canada, I’ve had watches on the wrist in -40*C weather. Haven’t seen any specific issues. I supervised a project near Hudson’s Bay for a number of a months a few years ago and exposed a 300M “Bond” to -20-40*C for hours at a time with no obvious ill effects.
Brilliant answer thank you.
 
Japanred
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I suppose what I’m asking is could I leave my watch somewhere where it could get to minus 5*C for 24hrs whilst off my wrist?
 
madjestikmoose
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Japanred Japanred
I suppose what I’m asking is could I leave my watch somewhere where it could get to minus 5*C for 24hrs whilst off my wrist?
I’m afraid I can’t answer your question - but I’m genuinely interested to know where this ‘somewhere’ is and the circumstances behind it!
 
OMEGuy
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Japanred Japanred
I’ve already read this but most relates to the original moon watches? Are modern speedmasters subject to the same parameters?

Which watch are we talking about? The Speedmaster Professional?
 
Fritz
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I know that anything our company manufactures for the automotive industry is tested in cycles from -40C to +85C for extended periods with no failures or operational issues allowed. This includes interior instruments such as central console screens, switchgear and interior lighting elements as well as exterior lighting and unhood electronics.

Additionally offroad vehicle electronic equipment is shock loaded at cycles up 20Gs.

If we can routinely demand such performance of your mass produced family sedan, off road/snow vehicle or motorcycle I would hope my up market mechanical or quartz watch can better it.

Also doing the Canadian weather thing, I expose my watches to all manner of stupid weather and don't worry about anything except whether the piece I'm wearing is waterproof if its "damp" outside and I'm motorcycling today.

that said... its pissing down rain outside right now and I've got stuff to do with the bike.
 
Japanred
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madjestikmoose madjestikmoose
I’m afraid I can’t answer your question - but I’m genuinely interested to know where this ‘somewhere’ is and the circumstances behind it!
Haha. It’s not as exciting as it sounds. Temporary storage over the UK winter whilst we have some work done on the house.
Edited:
 
Japanred
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OMEGuy OMEGuy
Which watch are we talking about? The Speedmaster Professional?
Specifically the following 3 watches but it’s a generic question too;
- Apollo 13 45th anniversary
- Apollo-Soyuz meteorite dial
- Apollo 11 50th anniversary
 
OMEGuy
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Japanred Japanred
Specifically the following 3 watches but it’s a generic question too;
- Apollo 13 45th anniversary
- Apollo-Soyuz meteorite dial
- Apollo 11 50th anniversary

All of these watches will follow you to whereever you like and do their job, as long as it's a destination on this planet or in outer space.
 
Japanred
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OMEGuy OMEGuy
All of these watches will follow you to whereever you like and do their job, as long as it's a destination on this planet or in outer space.
I’m happy with that response, thank you.

Just out of interest, when I recently bought my Apollo 11, I received a “care guide” which stated “do not expose watch to extreme temperatures” - what would they mean by this, if it’s so durable?
 
Canuck
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There is no indication at which temperature Salvator Dali’s “soft watch” melted, or at what temperature it stopped, but it appears to have been too hot!

93BCCFC3-9271-455B-8CA9-E38221E38BCF.jpeg
 
OMEGuy
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Japanred Japanred
I’m happy with that response, thank you.

Just out of interest, when I recently bought my Apollo 11, I received a “care guide” which stated “do not expose watch to extreme temperatures” - what would they mean by this, if it’s so durable?

Rest assured, you will be dead before your Speedmaster will fail.
 
madjestikmoose
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Japanred Japanred
I’m happy with that response, thank you.

Just out of interest, when I recently bought my Apollo 11, I received a “care guide” which stated “do not expose watch to extreme temperatures” - what would they mean by this, if it’s so durable?
To avoid a lawsuit should it fail when someone decides to do their own NASA-style tests on one.
 
Willbur
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Just have a look of oil characteristics for example Moebius 9010 which used for balance shaft oiling.
Pour point is below -40°C and boiling point over 200°C.

Low temp are not a big deal since viscosity will increase again when temperature will go back to 20°C.
But high temperature will evaporate oil which will not come back et generate a silent damage.
 
Japanred
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Thanks everyone. I feel reassured that the watches will be fine.
 
Foo2rama
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Japanred Japanred
Specifically the following 3 watches but it’s a generic question too;
- Apollo 13 45th anniversary
- Apollo-Soyuz meteorite dial
- Apollo 11 50th anniversary
Yes the 861 was re-certified in the late 70's for use on the STS program. the 861 and 1861 are the same except for finish for the most part. Also a 18th jewel was added in 1990 or so and then a few years later was marked on the movement as 18 jewels. This was independent of the 861-1861 switch.
 
D
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Willbur Willbur
Just have a look of oil characteristics for example Moebius 9010 which used for balance shaft oiling.
Pour point is below -40°C and boiling point over 200°C.

Low temp are not a big deal since viscosity will increase again when temperature will go back to 20°C.
But high temperature will evaporate oil which will not come back et generate a silent damage.

Actually viscosity actually drops when the temp of the oil goes up and visa versa.
Additionally, with regard to these modern synthetic oils that are often used the volatility of the oil is much less of a concern than will cause any wear issues.
I should imagine the worst that can happen is ithe oil will thicken up as the volatile compounds evaporate and cause more drag and time keeping or power reserve will go way off thus triggering a service anyway.
Besides, as already outlined before it's a real problem for your watch you may have expired yourself.
 
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