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Thread: Cheap waterproof tester @ Amazon

  1. #1
    Master
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    Cheap waterproof tester @ Amazon

    Hi all,

    I saw this on Amazon

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...IM5M5JC1&psc=1

    I wondered if these are any good? Not for dive watches, but to make sure the back is sealing properly ahead of swimming?

    Anyone got one? Or similar?

    Cheers!

  2. #2
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    ...and what happens when you test your watch and its not waterproof?

    The same damage is done

    In order to use these testers you need to take the dial and movement out, reassemble the case and then test. It will then show that it the case is water proof (or not). You then take the case out of the tester and you then put it all back together again ready for use.

    They would be fun to play about with but they are of little practical use to anyone who does not mod or service.

  3. #3
    Master
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    The idea is that you pressurise the chamber with the watch dry then put it in the water and release the pressure. Air bubbles coming out means the watch is leaking. If that happens, you whip the watch out of the water, and no water should go it, as the pressure inside is stil greater than that of the water...

  4. #4
    Master
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    Always fancied buying one of theses

  5. #5
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    ...and what happens when you test your watch and its not waterproof?

    The same damage is done

    In order to use these testers you need to take the dial and movement out, reassemble the case and then test. It will then show that it the case is water proof (or not). You then take the case out of the tester and you then put it all back together again ready for use.

    They would be fun to play about with but they are of little practical use to anyone who does not mod or service.
    Thinking it works the reverse of pressure onto the watch. Create a vacuum & if there is air escaping the case then it isn’t sealed properly.

    As air is compressible, a positive pressure would see water enter the case before bubbles came out of it

    Unless I’ve completely got the physics wrong.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Master Dr Wolff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    The idea is that you pressurise the chamber with the watch dry then put it in the water and release the pressure. Air bubbles coming out means the watch is leaking. If that happens, you whip the watch out of the water, and no water should go it, as the pressure inside is stil greater than that of the water...
    This. At least that's what my O level physics tells me (if I can remember anything from 40 years ago)

    But the truth is, that while it might be fun to muck about with, the only watches I would consider taking any where near water are those that have been professionally tested or come with a guarantee of waterproofing. That's still at least 6 or 7 of my collection. I wouldn't risk any of the rest

  7. #7
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    The idea is that you pressurise the chamber with the watch dry then put it in the water and release the pressure. Air bubbles coming out means the watch is leaking. If that happens, you whip the watch out of the water, and no water should go it, as the pressure inside is stil greater than that of the water...
    That's the way I see it. But, the instructions are very poor to say the least.

  8. #8
    Craftsman
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    Remember:
    Everytime someone asks whether their 300m Swiss dive watch is safe to wear swimming, a technician in Geneva pulls the wings off a fairy.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    The idea is that you pressurise the chamber with the watch dry then put it in the water and release the pressure. Air bubbles coming out means the watch is leaking. If that happens, you whip the watch out of the water, and no water should go it, as the pressure inside is stil greater than that of the water...
    That's the idea, but in some cases where there's a leak the pressure differential can cause the crystal to blow out of the case. I have one and it only gets used when the movement is removed from the case.

  10. #10
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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    Here is a thread that includes parts to make your own, for about £40.

    https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topi...essure-tester/

    with a foot pump it takes you to 5bar so should be good for swimming.

    what about dry testers? Are they any good?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by MartynJC (UK) View Post
    Here is a thread that includes parts to make your own, for about £40.

    https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topi...essure-tester/

    with a foot pump it takes you to 5bar so should be good for swimming.

    what about dry testers? Are they any good?
    Thanks Martyn, that is really interesting. The thread is quite old and American, but it might be possible to source parts and build one of those...

  12. #12
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    Thanks Martyn, that is really interesting. The thread is quite old and American, but it might be possible to source parts and build one of those...
    Part of the thread has this from a guy in UK

    All sourced in the UK. 10" pressure vessel is on Ebay...... 301329458121 ....... go for the 3/4" ports

    Schrader valve...... courtesy of Kwik Fit

    3/4" to 1/2" reducing bush (Plumb Center)
    1/2" to 1/4" " " (Plumb Center)
    PTFE tape 1 roll (Plumb Center)
    3/4" lever valve Male (for releasing pressure) ........ (Plumb Center)
    6mm Stainless Tube Ebay ..... 111625454690 .....
    Foot pump, any one that is capable of 10 Bar

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dynam0humm View Post
    That's the idea, but in some cases where there's a leak the pressure differential can cause the crystal to blow out of the case. I have one and it only gets used when the movement is removed from the case.
    +1, I use a wet tester but I am very careful with it, I would never test a watch with the movement fitted unless I’d already tested the case without the movement. Blowing the crystal out is v. easy to do!

    If water did get in a watch I could very rapidly strip the watch down to avoid damage, most people couldn’t, and that’s why I don’t advise people to use these things unless they know what they’re doing.

  14. #14
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post

    I that’s why I don’t advise people to use these things unless they know what they’re doing.
    Killjoy!!!!

  15. #15
    Master
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    I've identified parts on eBay...

    - Pressure vessel, rated 6 Bar, built in release valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-in-lin...Q/233032652738
    - 1/2" ball valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-8-1-4-3...r=533348268300
    - 1/2" to 1/4" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bsp-Adapt...d/120702245405
    - 1/4" to 1/8" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-...r=453983760416
    - 1/8" to Shrader valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-1-8-...r/173278797464

    Just need some way to dangle the watch, work that out when the rest arrives...

    Cost so far: about £25.

  16. #16
    Master Thewatchbloke's Avatar
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    I have one and it's only ever used with the movement removed to determine where a problematic pressure loss is occuring.

    It's far too risky to use to determine if customers watches are actually water resistant, for that I use a Greiner Vibrograf Poseidon LT-100 although I appreciate most hobbyists won't be buying one!

  17. #17
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    I never really understood the concept of being waterproof 1000m under water. How many of us ever go to that depth? And would you use a Rolex Deep Sea even if you were in that line of work/hobby?

  18. #18
    Master M1011's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dukeskd View Post
    I never really understood the concept of being waterproof 1000m under water. How many of us ever go to that depth? And would you use a Rolex Deep Sea even if you were in that line of work/hobby?
    Yes but you're forgetting the force of motion caused by moving your arm through moving water. You need at least 500m to survive a running shower and 1000m is the best bet if you want to use a water slide.

  19. #19
    Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrGrumpy View Post
    Killjoy!!!!
    3 people who all fix watches are singing from the same hymnsheet..........gotta be more than coincidence!

  20. #20
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    You forgot that you need a £50 Schrader valve from Kwikfit!

    How do you plan to pressurize is? With a bike pump or similar? (ETA, just seen that's what's done in the original post linked to).

    M

    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    I've identified parts on eBay...

    - Pressure vessel, rated 6 Bar, built in release valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-in-lin...Q/233032652738
    - 1/2" ball valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-8-1-4-3...r=533348268300
    - 1/2" to 1/4" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bsp-Adapt...d/120702245405
    - 1/4" to 1/8" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-...r=453983760416
    - 1/8" to Shrader valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-1-8-...r/173278797464

    Just need some way to dangle the watch, work that out when the rest arrives...

    Cost so far: about £25.
    Last edited by snowman; 16th April 2021 at 16:22.
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  21. #21
    Master murkeywaters's Avatar
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    Hmmm.. I have a compressor that can store air at 150+psi, I think I could make a chamber that could test my Seadweller to its 4000ft???

    Then again I think I’ll just take Rolex’s word for it..

  22. #22
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by M1011 View Post
    Yes but you're forgetting the force of motion caused by moving your arm through moving water. You need at least 500m to survive a running shower and 1000m is the best bet if you want to use a water slide.
    You mean you'd get a WR500m watch wet???? Lunatic!

  23. #23
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    How are you getting on with your tester?

    M

    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    I've identified parts on eBay...

    - Pressure vessel, rated 6 Bar, built in release valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-in-lin...Q/233032652738
    - 1/2" ball valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-8-1-4-3...r=533348268300
    - 1/2" to 1/4" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bsp-Adapt...d/120702245405
    - 1/4" to 1/8" adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-...r=453983760416
    - 1/8" to Shrader valve: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-1-8-...r/173278797464

    Just need some way to dangle the watch, work that out when the rest arrives...

    Cost so far: about £25.
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

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