Clock Watertightness: What do you know about it?

"Is the watch definitely waterproof? Will it break after a dip in the sea? Can I wear it when I do the dishes?" These are some of the common questions customers ask in our store when they decide to buy a new wristwatch. It is very useful for a buyer to know enough information about the waterproofness of watches before getting the one they want. After all, who would be happy if their favorite accessory was soon destroyed by their worst enemy, water?

Where is the tightness of the watch indicated?

The tightness is indicated on the back of the wristwatch on the case cover. There, all watch companies, in addition to the water-resistance information, indicate all the data necessary for the certification of the product, such as the Reference Code, the material where it was manufactured, the serial number, etc. The phrase "Water Resistant" or the phrase " Water Proof" indicates the watertightness of a watch. After this phrase there is a number and the indication "bar", "Ft" or "ATM".

What are the indications "ATM" and "bar"

If you see only the indication "water resistant" on a wristwatch, without a number or any other indication next to it, it means that nothing will happen to it if it accidentally comes into contact with water. Is the watch resistant to rain or hand washing. The "ATM" used by watchmakers is a unit of measurement and an abbreviation of the word "atmosphere". It indicates the water pressure that a watch can withstand.

Also, the resistance of a wristwatch in water can be expressed as a number of meters. For example, a watch with a one atmosphere indication ("1 ATM") can withstand water pressure of about ten meters or about thirty feet ("Ft"). However, special care is needed, as this does not mean that you can put a watch with this indication ten meters below the sea surface.

The indication never shows the depth, but the number of times the watch can withstand the sea level without any damage to the movement. For the water resistance of a watch there is also the indication "bar". It is an alternative unit of measurement to the 'ATM' which is most commonly used in European countries. That is, 1 bar is equal to 1 ATM, or 10 m or 33 Ft. 2 bar is equal to 66 Ft or 20 m or 2 ATM, 10 bar is equal to 330 Ft or 100m etc.

Why is the term "waterproof" no longer used for a wristwatch?

Although most people often look to buy a waterproof watch, they won't actually find one anywhere. This is because a wristwatch has the ability to withstand water pressure only for a limited time. Over time, if it is repeatedly exposed to water, it will be affected by it and damaged. Thus, since the late 1960s, the Federal Trade Commission of the United States of America has prohibited the term "water resistant" from being used in descriptions of wristwatches. Now, the term used is "water resistant".

The features that make a watch water resistant

The rubber or Teflon gaskets (or "o-rings") placed in the watch joints, i.e. the crystal, crown and case by the manufacturers, are responsible for the waterproofing of wristwatches in water. The crown is the weak point of a watch. Water can easily enter through it and damage the movement. To prevent this from happening, in most diving watches watchmakers install screw-in crowns for greater durability. Also, the glass of the watch needs to be thick enough to be resistant to high water pressure.

In addition, to wear a watch safely underwater, you must also carefully examine the case. In order to withstand the pressure in the water and remain watertight, the watch must be made of very durable materials. Stainless steel, titanium, carbon are some of the most common ones. Equally important is the lid of the watch, which should be screwed on

Which watch to choose based on its waterproofness

Are you still worried about whether to choose a water-resistant watch correctly? Before you buy one, think about exactly what use you want it for. If you want to wear it when swimming in the sea or doing some water sports, go for a watch that has the 10 ATM indicator. Wristwatches that are suitable for free diving have the indication of 20 ATM and above.

How to check the tightness of wristwatches

In order to test the waterproofness of wristwatches, various resistance tests are carried out in both air and water. First the manufacturers of the companies test the watch on a machine by pressing air. Then, it is tested on special machines with water pressure. Then, it is tested for moisture by being placed on hot plates. Once it passes all the tests with flying colors, the watch leaves the company and is ready to be acquired by a buyer.

How to keep the waterproofing longer

In order to keep your watch tight for longer, you need to take good care of it. The following tips will help you:

• Do not use the watch when you are taking a hot shower or in a sauna or hot tub, even if it has a multi ATM display. High temperatures may damage the o-rings of the watch, create small openings and allow water drops to enter the watch.
• After the end of the swim, try to rinse it quickly with tap water. As you rinse it, if it has a rotating rim, be sure to turn the frame several times. This movement will not allow salt to accumulate at this point and will not corrode the rim.
• Be careful not to let various chemicals, such as perfume, body cream, etc., come into contact with your watch.
• When in the water, do not pull the crown of the watch outwards.
• When you are not wearing the watch, it is advisable to protect it in its box.

Finally, remember to visit our workshop every 1-2 years to have a preventive check of the watch's tightness. With the appropriate tools at our disposal, we will improve again, its resistance in water.