Cheap waterproof tester @ Amazon

[apm101]

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!

[Sinnlover]

...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.

[apm101]

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...

[lewie]

Always fancied buying one of theses

[Dr Wolff]

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

[ALindsay]

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.

[Dynam0humm]

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.

[MartynJC (UK)]

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?

[apm101]

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...

[walkerwek1958]

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.

[MrGrumpy]

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

Killjoy!!!!

[Mj2k]

...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

[Brauner Hund]

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.

[murkeywaters]

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..