Unexpected Consequences?

I used to do a lot of surfing and I had a Swatch Irony that I bought from the surf shop which had 50m wr. The pounding it got in surfing was too much for it and water got in. Had to take it apart and dry it out. This is why all my watches now have a minimum 100m wr. 

This was brought up and thoroughly hashed out a few months ago...

Personally, in the last 40 years I've spent numerous hours vigorously riding off-road motorcycles, and even more time on the range, always with a mechanical watch. Never had a problem. 

YMMV, but probably not. 

I've been intermittent here and my searches didn't bring up anything so that's my fault. 

I've been told that potentially riding with the chrono running would be the culprit for my watch. 

100m minimum sounds almost like an absolute rule especially with the potential thrashing from surfing lol

The only thing I worry about is playing sports where I might take a spill or activities where I am LIKELY to bang my watch. Think working with hand tools in a constrained space. 

Don't feel bad, I couldn't find it either. 

Definitely and even if I don’t surf anymore I still like to get in the water so the rule stays. 💪

this is an interesting topic. the motorcycle rumble makes sense but I’ve heard theories that playing golf, tennis, baseball etc with a mechanical watch will hurt the movement as well. I cant see any article that proves this and have had zero problems… 

I've heard that sports like golf and tennis can be brutal on your mechanical watch unless it has an incredible build against shock. That's the usual argument for the Richard Mille monstrosities.

My recent experience - emptying a full bucket of water with a vintage chronograph on my wrist...what a complete idiot...I had to use a blow dryer and keep it in rice for several days...I also put a silicon packet in the watch box for good measure.

I always think of chopping wood for some reason because it comes up when I go camping....

Shock can definitely affect a watch with tiny moving parts. But the extent of these effects has so many variables it's hard to make a set of fast rules. I think generally, the quality of a movement combined with the case design makes the most difference. 

My unproven hypothesis: 

1. Higher water resistance on a watch might mean a more secure movement due to the sealing required + screwdown crown(s).
2. Shock will have a higher effect on a loosely worn watch vs tighter (e.g. leather or rubber strap).

So combine 1 and 2 with a movement that is designed to be shockproof and you might have a better chance of not harming the watch. Of course, I've only touched on effects of shock, I'm sure there are many other situations.

Ignorance is bliss. I never thought about what the vibrations and jarring of bicycles and motorcycles would do to my watches, and I've worn my watches plenty doing both and never had an issue. Dumb luck? 

A shallow skin dive (no tanks, I just swimming down about 15 feet to get a better look at something on the bottom) killed one of my "100m" rated chronographs a long time ago.  Since then I've never taken a non screw crown into the ocean, despite it's rated 'safe depth'.

I've killed a Seiko SARB 6R15a by biking with it.  BTW - Bikes are way worse than motorbikes, I own both.  Nearly constant sharp high g shocks are the MO on a fast moving bicycle.  I don't worry on my motorbike since it has soft comfy shocks, and feels 100x softer than a carbon racing bike.  But perhaps I should rethink that based on your experience!

So now I'm more careful with automatic watches and my bikes.  Short commutes where I can easily lift watch arm if I see potholes.  Or I take watch off and put in a pocket until I'm at work and commute is over.  For serious workouts and long rides - no watch needed, head unit on bike shows the time.

One of the reasons I'm very much like the spring drive is that I'm more confident I can't f-up the movement with my rough hobbies.

Sweet Kurono BTW!   The strap looks great as well🤩

Mine I consider my 'dress watch' and am super gentle on it.  Nature walks and nice dinners only.

When I'm hammering, cutting wood or playing VR. I usually have a G-Shock or one of my quartz's on. Hard labor requires a tough watch! I take care of all my watches, If I think my g-shock is possibly going to take a hit. I'll take it off and go Commando..

Operated a chainsaw with the Alpinist on no worries and used a hammer ( I am left handed and wear my watch on my left wrist as normal ) no problems with that watch . I wear it without drama . Sorry to hear about your watch . 

Thanks, curtaincall, for bringing up this subject, because I'm a shooter, cyclist and woodworker (think power tools), and never thought about how those activities affect what's on my wrist because until fairly recently all I bought were beater watches and few el-cheapo automatics.  That's now changed and I'm buying nicer watches, so your point is well-taken.

<TIPS HAT>

Well... Punching someone while wearing a watch turned out to be a bad idea in my case😅

Most of the watches I've broken have been from getting into mosh pits. 

Never thought about the damping compared to quick jolts. Plenty of insight to be gained here, thanks. 

Also, appreciate the KT love. That Midori is always a sight to behold. 

Cheers! It's definitely something not to be too worried about it seems but awareness is definitely better than finding your sweeping seconds has turned into something less desirable lol. 

Did he catch your case? 🤣

The shock of the punch broke one of the pins on the bare let and the watch droped on the floor🤬

I think that generally speaking, mechanical watches are tougher than they're often given credit for. Most testimonials I've read involving a ruined watch involve water. There are plenty of testimonials of people simply wearing their watch without concern (see examples above) with no issues. Are there freak things that happen? For sure. But I think watch enthusiasts tend to excessively worry about these things (of which I was once guilty). 

True. There definitely is a fine line between awareness and paranoia haha. I guess we're just seeking where one ends and one begins. 

I just take my watch off when I'm doing heavy labor, or doing high-vibration activities, such as shooting magnum springer airguns. If I need to see the time, I lay my watch down flat in a safe place where I can still see it.