Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Watch Water Resistance Testing And How It Is Done

By Nancy Allen


Watches that are resistant to water can be dipped into the water but only to a certain extent. Most watches have different categories when it comes to their degrees of immersion depth. Thus, it would be very important for a person to remember that resistance ratings are being varied from different controlled conditions set by the manufacturers in laboratories.

Resistances of the watches are going to decrease over time since there are constant changes of aging and conditions. And so people must need to understand that being waterproof and resistant have two different meanings. For example, when there is a need for a battery to be changed, putting back the seal may not protect the watch anymore just like before. For this reason, doing watch water resistance testing Cambridge is very important.

In Cambridge, MA, most manufacturers are suggesting their clients to have them test their watches every year or even after the battery is changed. This will ensure that sealing it was done properly, and thus, waters are avoided to get in. The tests will be done in laboratories of manufacturers under some specific controlled conditions. Expect that test results may fully be different from real life actions.

During the test, the item will be placed inside a chamber that filled with half water and air. The pressure of air is increased after getting the item out from the water. It is then immersed slowly to it. After completely immersing it, the pressure of air is then released slowly. If there are bubbles, meaning, the watch is not resistant.

Temperatures in waters for hot tubs and for hot showers may possibly affect the shape of the seals in gaskets especially after taking out the item from hot temperatures then placing it immediately to a cold one. The best example is when an item is dipped into a hot tub and is transferred to a pool. Pressure changes that happen rapidly stress the gaskets which can cause rupture.

There are 3 important factors being obtained in watches resistance. The 3 factors would include case back, gaskets, and crown. Attaching the case backs to watches implies 2 different resistance levels. These would include screw in and snap on.

Snap on types are being sealed by pressure and are considered as least resistant. The second one are the screw in types that are allowing tighter seals to a case back. These types are threaded and are screwed to case. Making use of both gasket and threading as seals can create double seals.

Another factor is the crown which also includes 2 important types such as the stem of crown and the screw down crown. Similar to screw in type, a screw down type is threaded as well but this is screwed, matching the threaded tubes, the type is essential for the watches being submerged into water.

O rings also refers to gaskets. The common materials used for these are either Teflon, rubber, or nylon. These are forming watertight seals in joints wherein crown, crystal, and caseback will meet the watch case. Gaskets often break down easily and erode as well, causing the diminishing of resistance.




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