Water resistance is a key feature of many of today’s watches. However, when used incorrectly, even top-of-the-line water resistant watches can suffer water damage.
The reality is that no watch is completely waterproof, so it’s important to know what to do if you suspect there is water in your watch.
Identifying Watch Water Damage
One of the most obvious signs of water damage is condensation inside the case. If you see any sort of dew inside your watch, water has gotten inside.
Another sign is if the hands of your watch start to malfunction or stop completely – this is generally the result of water interacting with the movement. Lumes that have stopped glowing is another indicator that water damage could be an issue.
Water damage alone is worrying enough, but if you’re dealing with seawater, other particles could end up inside your watch too, causing even further damage.
The O-ring, which sits around the crown is usually the water damage culprit. Over time, this ring starts to dry up and shrink, leaving room for water to seep in near the crown. This process happens over years though, so if you haven’t had your timepiece this long, it’s probably not the reason for the water damage.
General misuse is the only other reason why water would enter a water resistant watch. Always make sure that the crown and pushers are tight before you take your watch near water.
What to Do When Water Gets in Your Watch
If you are absolutely sure that water hasn’t been inside the watch for more than 48 hours, drying it out can rectify the problem. You can place your watch in a sunny spot or under a warm lamp. Just be sure to monitor the watch to ensure the heat doesn’t damage it. Wherever you decide to dry your watch, make sure the back of the case is facing down.
If you know the damage is more serious or if you don’t want to risk drying the watch yourself, your best bet is to take it to a reputable watch repair centre such as Martins of Glasgow. We will take the watch apart safely, dry and clean the individual pieces before putting the watch back together.
To prevent water damage in the future, stick to the manufacturer’s water resistance recommendations. If you are unsure about how much pressure your watch can take, you can a professional to perform water resistance testing.
Servicing your watch regularly will also ensure there is little to no chance of water getting inside.
Contact Martin at martin@martinsjewellers.co.uk or Gail, at gail@martinsjewellers.co.uk, for any assistance with water damage, repairs, and watch servicing.