Swimming - am I being too cautious re watches ?
About to go on holiday and will be swimming in various freshwater lakes. My 2019 Omega Seamaster Aquaterra is rated to 150m and has a screw down crown - but it is out of warranty (owned from new, never had any issues). So am I being too cautious by worrying about swimming in it? If it leaked I wouldn't be able to immediately replace it at current market value.
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Mark
Appear to be fixated with explorer watches but try to build a broad mid range collection
London
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
Be as cautious as you want to be with your watch, but you should be fine swimming.
If it leaks, a servicing would resolve it by drying out the watch before rusting can occur.
If you are worried you could get it tested for water resistance at an AD. That said, I’d expect you to be fine swimming.
Should be ok…unless there’s this in them lakes and I dunno…
😱😲
Just make sure and keep it out of the cat’s jaws if this happens while you are lazily lounging in the water.
Just make sure and keep it out of the cat’s jaws if this happens while you are lazily lounging in the water.
Heard cat’s jaws are only seen in pools…oMG ! their out in lakes and puddles now too!! 😱
Knowing Swatch Group quality, your AT will be shrug off any casual (as in non-diving) water activities. I swam for an extended period of time with my PRX which has 50m less WR and only a push-pull and it was completely fine.
In all the years I have owned watches, there has not been one instance of water permeation. And I swim with watches as low as 50m rating.
Yes
I unfortunately cannot tell you whether your watch will be fine or not, neither can a number on a dial. I have no idea what happened to the gaskets since the time you purchased the watch. A pressure test is relatively inexpensive and will give you peace of mind.
P.S.: I went swimming with a watch with 50m water resistance rating. It lasted about 5 minutes. Individual results will vary, which is why I cannot speak to your watch.
3 year old gaskets should (and I stress should) be OK. I regularly swim in my 200M rated Glycine Combat Sub, acquired in 2019 without issues. That said, a pressure test is always the best bet.
As the watch ages, your WR expectations should decrease somewhat -- however, so long as you're regularly inspecting the rubber seals and gaskets and replacing as necessary, you should be fine for the long haul.
Casual swimming in any water would be fine for 50m (maybe even 30m) nevermind a diver rated at 150m+
This reminds me of old threads on other forums asking if their Rolex Sub can be worn in the shower 😅👍
I have an SKX from the 90s that's never been serviced and I've worn it in hottubs and various oceans with no issues.
Casual swimming in any water would be fine for 50m (maybe even 30m) nevermind a diver rated at 150m+
This reminds me of old threads on other forums asking if their Rolex Sub can be worn in the shower 😅👍
I have an SKX from the 90s that's never been serviced and I've worn it in hottubs and various oceans with no issues.
I would be cautious of hot tubs. Just what I’ve heard, specially that the elevated temps and chemicals can be bad for seals. I’m not saying one can’t, but rather that one might take this into account.
I wouldn't worry about it, but if you're concerned, a pressure test isn't a bad idea for peace of mind.
There was a long thread on another forum in which a guy chronicled his extensive diving with a 30m Casio(?). There were no problems after many dives...
when in doubt, wear a #gshock
I swim regularly with a push-pull crown hamilton that's only rated to 100m. Your omega is designed to handle swimming
But then again my hamilton costs roughly a tenth what your aqua terra does so I understand the concern.
Here is what I found listed on the Watch Repair & Co web site:
"THE SEALS THAT PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WATCH WILL WEAKEN AND FAIL WITH AGE. FOR USE IN WATER, WATER RESISTANT WATCHES SHOULD BE PRESSURE CHECKED EVERY YEAR. THE SEALS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT LEAST EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS"
Here is the link:
Water Resistance - Tips & Information | Watch Repair & Co. - Watch Repair & Co (watchrepairco.com)
My guess is you are probably OK, but if you wanted to be safe, then take it to your watchmaker and have it pressure tested to ensure the seals are solid.
I would be more worried about brain-eating amoeba in the freshwater lakes you are swimming in - seems to be the year for a proliferation of these evil things. Experts are saying use nose plugs when swimming in freshwater lakes this year as it is really only through the nasal passages that the amoeba can enter the brain.
If you’re looking for proof points I swim and shower with my 50m, 10yr Christopher Ward and it’s always been fine. With a 150m rated Omega you’ll be right as proverbial rain fella 👍🏻
Crikey! Before I really got in to watches, years ago, I've been swimming and snorkeling to around 5m I guess with old 30m Seikos and crappy Sekondas, never had any water ingress. Probably just lucky. 😃