Dare me to swim with it?
Been thinking about this for some time. Why is the Hamilton khaki auto 100m water resistant and the Hamilton khaki mechanical only 50m? Both have a screwed down case back. Both only have a push-pull crown. Why 100m for one and only 50m for the other? As I know I would love this mechanical even more if I had the comfort of knowing I could swim with it, I actually am leaning towards experimenting. Do you dare me? Anyone had any experience swimming with the mechanical and it survived?
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Joe
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Orlando, FL, USA
Member since
Last active: 2 months ago
My first thought would be the up sell. If a potential buyer is teetering between the 2, the higher water resistance could nudge them into the more expensive option.
The second thought, the vision for watch was 50m. They tested it, it passed, no further tests needed.
I’d say if you’re okay with the possible consequences, go for it.
50m should be fine for swimming if the watch isn't too old, or has been serviced somewhat recently.
I expect the difference in rating is likely due to the increased wear and tear on seals from manually winding the watch every two days, vs an automatic that has the crown played with much less frequently.
hand wind watches get their crown seal beat up all the time where an auto does not. Its a steel shaft rubbing on neoprene which hardens on its own by the 6th year. Any watch without a screw down crown should be suspect in water. If it gets moisture pop the back off and leave it in the sun face down and hope you do not get a water mark on the crystal.
Should be fine, my wealthy cousin goes swimming in the sea regularly with his 50 m w/r Speedmaster 😱 (I think he's mental tho)
Should be fine, my wealthy cousin goes swimming in the sea regularly with his 50 m w/r Speedmaster 😱 (I think he's mental tho)
Yeah that dude mental fosho
The problem with swimming without a screw-down crow is if that crown happens to get pulled out with the watch submerged, it’s game over.
I figure that unless it’s unintentional or unavoidable…right tool for the right job. Can it do it? Maybe. Should it? Depends on your risk acceptance. I just have too many watches that are infinitely capable of being in that environment. I have a khaki field and I’ll wash hands with it but hope I never get pushed into a pool while wearing it 😃
I figure that unless it’s unintentional or unavoidable…right tool for the right job. Can it do it? Maybe. Should it? Depends on your risk acceptance. I just have too many watches that are infinitely capable of being in that environment. I have a khaki field and I’ll wash hands with it but hope I never get pushed into a pool while wearing it 😃
Yeah I just have these visions of taking this watch with me when I go to the north Georgia mountains, bc it feels so “fieldy”, but then I wanna splash in some rivers 😂.
I dare you but only cos I have the same in a 42mm. and I'm curious. Braver than I am. Good luck!
Many proper dive watches from the 50s/60s/70s didn't have proper screw down crowns, a modern Hamilton with 50m water resistance is absolutely fine to swim with.
What about showering with 50m WR watches?
What about showering with 50m WR watches?
I’ve never showered with a watch. I know that many people do. Just never been my jam.
I've had mine underwater briefly and it was fine (same with my Speedy). As long as the seals are in good shape and the crown isn't moved, there shouldn't be a problem.
What about showering with 50m WR watches?
I don’t but this is because the water is very hard where I live. It would be very hard to remove calcium after a few showers.
I sure hope so if it’s branded a pro diver!!! 😂
I’ve never showered with a watch. I know that many people do. Just never been my jam.
Right? Soap scum, etc. Yuck.
That watch is on my bucket list
Go for it. You're a braver man than I. My Khaki King has the least reliable crown of my modern watches. I can reach down at any time while wearing it and push the crown in ever so slightly. It somehow manages to back out just enough to make me worry but not enough to be visibly noticable. It would be nice if they could spread that 100m wr across the entire Khaki line.
As an engineer I’d have an existential crisis if I spent 10+ years getting my Professional Engineers certification so that my signature was a guarantee of design validity and then I rated my design to 50m water depth and found out someone would not use my design at less than 3m…. unless it was rated for 100m.
What did I go through all that work for? Why did I design everything to 1.5x of my intended rating? Why did I do that testing? Why did I write all of those reports to engineering management? And all of those approvals? Why did I even exist?
Apologies for the rant. Please enjoy your watch however you like.
Go for it. You're a braver man than I. My Khaki King has the least reliable crown of my modern watches. I can reach down at any time while wearing it and push the crown in ever so slightly. It somehow manages to back out just enough to make me worry but not enough to be visibly noticable. It would be nice if they could spread that 100m wr across the entire Khaki line.
I know, right?! It’s a field watch haha, give it that 100m!
As an engineer I’d have an existential crisis if I spent 10+ years getting my Professional Engineers certification so that my signature was a guarantee of design validity and then I rated my design to 50m water depth and found out someone would not use my design at less than 3m…. unless it was rated for 100m.
What did I go through all that work for? Why did I design everything to 1.5x of my intended rating? Why did I do that testing? Why did I write all of those reports to engineering management? And all of those approvals? Why did I even exist?
Apologies for the rant. Please enjoy your watch however you like.
Apology NOT accepted! Bc I love that rant! Cheers!
I do swim with it all the time. So go for it and don't worry.
I do swim with it all the time. So go for it and don't worry.
Mic drop! Sold! Haha
I’ve used my 50M rated TAG Chrono swimming countless times, taken hot showers with it, no problems. It says 50 meters. I know there’s that recommendation guide on what a WR ratings actually means, but do you ever notice it’s not from a manufacturer or at least I’ve never seen from a manufacturer.
You'll be fine. I've swum in the ocean with my Khaki Field. It was all good.