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| Breitling Superocean Special 44 - Released at Baselworld 2017 |
Arguably one of the biggest factors to consider before purchasing a fine timepiece is the watch's water resistance. When purchasing a watch, you should always consider where you intend wearing it, and the degree of water resistance. Ask yourself …
- Do you plan on swimming with it? Will it be okay, in the shower? Or is the watch meant for special occasions?
- Is this a watch you plan on wearing every day regardless of what you may be doing?
- Are your hands exposed to working in tight spaces (i.e. mechanic or handyman)?
By asking yourself these questions, you can get an idea of what watches to consider. Oftentimes, this will help lessen the common overwhelming feeling of having no idea of what watch you want by narrowing the options.
So, what exactly is water resistance? And how is it achieved? Water resistance, not waterproof, is the measure of resistance to water pressure before water enters the case. Note, that no watch is technically waterproof due to the nature of how watches are set (i.e. pulling out the crown). If left open, water can enter the watch regardless of the watches water resistance. There is always a limit to how much water pressure a watch can take, so in this sense, a watch can never be deemed waterproof.
Through well-crafted screw down case backs, pushers and crowns combined with gaskets and air pressure escape valves, watch manufacturers can achieve various levels of water resistances. Water resistant watches and dive watches are put through a strict regimen of tests covering temperature shock, water immersion, air-pressure tests, among other tests.
Once the water resistance is determined, it is frequently either stamped on the case back or found on the dial. Generally, you will see a combination of some form of the following measurements: atms (atmospheric pressure), bars, meters and/or feet. 1 atm = 1.013 bars = 10m =33.8 feet. Therefore, when you see something that is 3atms you know that it can withstand up to 30m of water pressure or a little over 100 feet. ***Please note, that this does not mean that your watch will be fine until you are submerged under 100 feet of water! The act of swimming, for instance, will exert additional pressure beyond your current depth.
Below is a quick everyday guide of what water resistance of a watch translates to daily activity. After all, the biggest enemy to a watch is water – which can completely destroy the movement, dial and hands.
- 30m: Washing hands and walking in the rain. Avoid submerging the watch in water.
- 50m: You can submerge the watch, but do not go swimming with it. As mentioned before, swimming actually increases the effect of water pressure.
- 100m: You will likely be good to go snorkeling and surface level swimming with the watch.
- 200m: This should be the minimum water resistance you should look for when purchasing a diving water. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers we carry a number of brands that produce watches that go well beyond 200m.
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| Breitling Superocean Special 44 with a blue dial |
Another point we want to make is, as daily wear and tear ensure with your watch and as it is exposed to daily chemicals (hairspray, lotions, perfumes) you can expect some deterioration to occur to your watch’s water resistance. This is why we recommend having a basic service done somewhat regularly. If water does enter the water it can cause serious damage to the internal parts rendering a very, very expensive overhaul. Here are some tips to consider to care for your watch:
- Rinse your watch with fresh water if exposed to salt water or chlorine
- Double check to make sure crown and pushers are screwed in
- Avoid turning bezel and activating pushers when exposed to water
- Avoid exposure to lotions, perfumes, soaps, etc. as the chemicals can deteriorate the gaskets
- If water does enter the watch, take it into repair as soon as possible. Prolonged exposure to water will rust the movement and cause further damage
- In general, if water can be avoided, avoid it!
If you have any questions regarding how you plan on using your watch, ask one of the Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers sales specialists and they’ll help navigate you to the watch of your dreams!