The Birth of the Waterproof Wristwatch and Dive Watches

Are watches really waterproof, as the manufacturer claims? What does water resistance actually mean?

In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze crossed the English Channel from Calais to Dover. She wore a Rolex fitted with a screw-down case back and a screw-down crown to make it as resistant to water as possible. It was then given the name Oyster (English: Oyster). The channel crossing became both public proof and public advertising for the quality of a watch that seemed to defy the elements.

Diving watches

The Oyster case was then refined and formed the basis for the development of Diving watches , which took the market by storm from 1953 onward. By then, they were already water resistant to 100 meters, and within a very short time that was even doubled. Extreme divers, researchers, and the military also played a major role in the development of water-resistant watches, helping the designers with their requirements and experience of the difficult conditions.

But how exactly do you test water resistance? And what do the different ratings mean?

A watch is generally considered sealed if the case prevents both water and dust from getting in.

Water resistance is expressed in atmospheres or meters and describes the ability to keep water from entering. If a watch is water resistant to 3 bar, it is designed for everyday use, but not for diving, for example; however, it can withstand splashes.

If a watch is water resistant to 5 or 10 bar, you can shower or go swimming with it without any problems. If you snorkel or dive regularly, a sports watch or diving watch with 10 or 20 bar water resistance is recommended. Most sports watches are water resistant to 10 bar, which is roughly 100 meters, and can be used for athletic, leisure, and even professional purposes.

Maintenance

Care is especially important. The external parts of the watch that are exposed and used frequently are subject to wear. These include the winding crown and the sealing ring, which means it is difficult to achieve absolute water resistance at all times.

Therefore, a water-resistant watch must be tested regularly using special equipment. It is also a good idea to replace the sealing ring every year. In addition, after swimming in salt water, the watch should be rinsed with fresh water to avoid increased corrosion.

Many people are also familiar with the phenomenon of condensation forming inside the watch. This happens after extreme temperature differences, for example when you jump straight into cool water after sunbathing, and should be removed as quickly as possible.