how often should a diving watch be checked it is still waterproof to the rating specified?

Question

I have read somwhere that waterproof watches are not waterproof for ever. I've heard that you should have the gaskets replaced every 18 months for saltwater diving and every 12 months for freshwater diving. Is this true? It doesn't seem very widely known.

I have a CITIZEN Eco-Drive watch (Professional Diver's/300M/Titanium). Which never needs a new battery because it is recharged with a built in solar panel. The only opening/closing that goes on is when i change the time or date. This uses a screw-in crown, which you have to do up tightly to prevent water entering that way. I'm guessing the seal has a lifespan, I just don't know how long it is.

Answer 1

I can well believe that watches aren't waterproof for ever, but I'm pretty sure that the seals are a lot more wear-resistant than your average cylinder O-ring. So like the man said, If it ain't broke, don't open it...

I would imagine that seals would need changing more often from salt water diving than fresh, though - saltwater is death on dive gear. That's why you should soak your gauges (torches, regs, cameras/housings, basically anything containing exposed metal) in warm fresh water for an hour or so after saltwater diving, if possible, rather than just dip them in a bucket and call them clean.

At risk of sounding obvious, doesn't it say in the manual how often your watch should be serviced? If it doesn't, or you don't have the manual, you could try the Citizen web link below (which I found on the "Equipment" discussion board in Divernet)...

Good luck.

Answer 2

For a relatively cheap watch I wouldn't bother. For my watches that I use for diving, I only ever get the gaskets changed when then battery is replaced. To keep openeing it just to reseal it is actually increasing the likelihood that something will go wrong with the seal - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Do bear in mind hat most jewellers advertise services for waterproof watches, but most will be to a fairly shallow depth. I have been brought up to seek at least 200m depth to account for additional problems like shock, etc. For the depth rating you need a specialist, not a high street watch place.

Answer 3

Unless you have an automatic watch it should be tanked by specialist who can replace the battery/cell every 12months! You have to go to a jeweller who can do this or they can send it to a workshop for this to be done! It will cost around £30-£40 to be done properly! If its automatic you should still have it serviced every 12months.

Answer 4

If that's the case, my Timex Iron man should have bit the dust a long time ago.

Answer 5

Change the gaskets when you get the battery changed.