Would You or Would You Not?

I have many a 200M WR watch. I don't even wear them when it's foggy outside!

Don’t take a 27 year old watch in the water. You’re just asking for trouble.

How does it feel having the bracelet redone? Has to feel like a new watch. Did they use strictly OEM parts when they replaced them? Did you get the old ones back? It is interesting take from the watchmaker. As, @genxwatchguy1969 said, in this case, listen to your local guy as they know what is going on with your watch.

I guess that is a difference between a local service vs. OEM. In theory, it would come out with better than original specs, as there would be new oils, gaskets, etc. and full guarantee, granted at a premium.

It’s better but not brand new better. As a matter of fact, after the tightening, I have since swap it for a aftermarket Jubilee bracelet.

I would take the watch maker’s advice.

I wouldn’t. But I generally don’t like to take completely avoidable risks with significant potential consequences.

What's the rated WR?

Why tempt fate? Just take the watch off before jumping in.

100m.

If screw down, why not. If not screw down, taking a swim is too high risk for irreplaceable watch. I would still take it for showers though. Hahaha

It’s a given. I check and double check again the screws on the modern pieces before I get in the water. For older watch, I just don’t have the guts🤣🤣

I would go with the watch maker's advice as much as I would like to go my own intuition I'm not taking any chances with my pieces, cheers!

Buy a cheap Seiko or Citizen and go to town in that.

No not even with a life jacket on.

Had my 2005 sub serviced by Rolex and I use it in the pool when on holiday,I know it's not as old as yours but to me it should be fit for purpose after a service

Who doesn't love mols???

I’d heed the advice of your watchmaker. You entrusted him with that beautiful GMT for servicing, so following his recommendation is a no brainer in my book 🤙❤️

I don't know what stainless steel that watch has been made of. Either 304 or 316 I would guess. The 304 ss contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 ss contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum according to research. In theory the 316 ss should last longer before corrosion starts. But in both cases the SS sooner or later will corrode regardless that its a stainless steel. For almost 30 years old watch the risk is high especially if you swim in salty waters with high humidity air around, so I guess that's the reason your watchmaker was concerned.

I’d trust the watchmaker.

When this type of advice is given, it’s because the case may be compromised. Case tubes are notorious for bending at that age.

Now, if you have a WR test to 200M, there is no reason you can’t go for a splash or swim. Just don’t take it in a hot tub or shower.

I don’t let my watches get wet. That weight is really good. My 6 digit GMT is like 150 grams. Very heavy.

I am a firm believer of not swimming or diving with watches even though they are rated for it. I don't dive but have dive watches but even then don't.

I mean I would limit myself and pick and choose my options and assess the swimming or splashing situation 😊🙃😋

Don't risk it! 😝

Watch Marshall from wristwatch revival on YouTube. He shows you why you can and can’t:)

It's totally not like that! lol

A car is meant to drive you places, a watch is meant to know what time it is.

So not using the watch in the water is more like not using a GPS on a car maybe : which nobody does nowadays since they use their phones. Or not using some other option they don't care for. lol

I don't take any of my vintage watches in the water. You have to ask yourself are you up for the headache that follows if water gets in. If I need to take a watch in the water I always take a newer watch from my collection that I know has been checked and is in good order.

I have a 1986 Oyster Perpetual Date. I no longer swim with it. It is probably OK, but I prefer not to risk it. This article on Fratello also says that they prefer not to take the risk and swim with it. https://www.fratellowatches.com/vintage-rolex-beater/#gref

I think it is totally like that, my mechanic wouldn’t say it’s ok to drive your car but don’t use the sat nav or air con after a service I would expect them to be fully useable. Rolex are famous for tool watches, watches designed to be worn daily and used fully, that watch is designed to withstand being under water comfortably. Finally if I had took my waterproof watch to a watch repairer/AD etc for a service I would expect it to be waterproof to the design of the watch, if you don’t want the watch to get wet why buy a diver…….

Maybe you thought this is a different Rolex, but he is talking about a gmt which is not a dive watch.

Gmt is supposed to tell the time in 2 time zones for travellers. It's not a submariner or a sea dweller.

Also this is a vintage 27 year old gmt.

Go buy a 27 year old fancy car and ask an expert if you should use it the same way you'd use a brand new car: they would most likely tell you not to do certain things that you'd have no problem doing with a recent model.

So no not going into the water with a 27 yo gmt is very very far from not being able to drive a car.

It is much more comparable to not being able to use an option on an old car, with the option not even being that core to the purpose of that car.

I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way btw but I want to make that point for bennylee because I don't want him to feel bad that he's facing something which is normal for a fancy vintage item.

He has a great timepiece that he should enjoy and feel good about.