General methods for handling water ingress in a watch

　　Many people may accidentally let water enter their watch due to carelessness when wearing it. So, if water gets into a watch, how do we generally handle it? Let us learn about it below.

　　Methods for handling water ingress in a watch

　　1. If the watch is soaked with water, you can wrap it tightly with several layers of toilet paper or moisture-absorbing flannel, place it about 15 cm away from a 40-watt light bulb, and bake it for about 30 minutes to disperse the water vapour inside the watch. Avoid placing the watch crystal directly close to a fire for baking, to prevent the crystal from deforming due to heat.

　　2. Wear the watch in reverse on your wrist with the crystal facing inwards and the case back facing outwards; the water vapour can be eliminated after two hours. If the water ingress is severe, it is best to send it to a watch shop immediately for servicing and oiling to remove moisture from the movement, in order to prevent the parts from rusting.

　　3. Place the watch containing accumulated water together with granular silica gel in a sealed container. After a few hours, take out the watch, and all the accumulated water will disappear. This method is simple and economical, and causes no damage to the accuracy and lifespan of the watch. Silica gel that has absorbed water multiple times can be dried at 120°C for several hours to regenerate its moisture absorption capacity, allowing it to be reused repeatedly.

　　What does watch water resistance mean?

　　When a watch is marked with 3ATM or 30 metres water resistance, it refers to general everyday water resistance. This covers water droplets splashed while washing your hands or light raindrops, but note that exposure should not be prolonged and it must not be worn in a sauna.

　　When a watch is marked with 5ATM or 50 metres water resistance, it means it is suitable for short-distance swimming in shallow water, but must not be used for diving or snorkelling.

　　When a watch is marked with 10ATM or 100 metres water resistance, it means you can wear it while washing a car or taking a shower, but it must not be submerged in water.

　　When a watch is marked with 30ATM or 300 metres water resistance, swimming activities are permitted, but only for shallow swimming. (Do not ever interpret this as meaning it can be used at a depth of 300 metres.)

　　When a watch is marked with 50ATM or 500 metres water resistance, this is the level that allows diving to a depth of one or two hundred metres. Do not confuse the water-resistance rating with a depth underwater.

　　Currently, no water-resistant watch—regardless of whether it specifies XX metres of water resistance—should be used in hot water (>40C°). On one hand, the permeability of water molecules increases significantly as temperature rises, whereas all water-resistant watches are designed based on cold water. On the other hand, due to thermal expansion and contraction, various watch components expand to different degrees under hot water conditions, potentially increasing gaps.

　　A watch's water resistance is not permanent and depends on several factors, some of which are affected by wear or the passage of time. Gaskets may corrode or deform, the case may suffer damage, or the crystal glass may loosen or crack. Therefore, like your car or your teeth, a watch requires preventative maintenance and care.

　　Precautions for watch water resistance

　　(1) Waterproof gaskets are prone to ageing and deterioration; they should be replaced regularly or during every service.

　　(2) Damage to the watch crystal can affect the water resistance of the watch; it should be replaced promptly if cracked.

　　(3) Do not operate the crown while the watch is in water or wet to prevent water from entering the movement.

　　(4) Always push the crown back in fully after use; for screw-down crowns, ensure they are securely locked without any gaps.

　　(5) Wipe the watch dry immediately if it comes into contact with water.

　　(6) Prevent chemical substances from contacting the watch, otherwise the case and waterproof gaskets will be affected, reducing water resistance.

　　(7) Do not leave the watch in high temperature (over 60°C) or low temperature (below -10°C) environments for a long time.

　　(8) If water vapour or mist spots appear inside the watch, they should be removed promptly to prevent the movement parts from rusting.