[Wednesday]

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has experience with actually taking a Seamaster Aqua Terra in the water. The other day I forgot to take off my watch for water aerobics and didn't remember until I was getting into the water. I told myself not worry, that it would be fine, but after about a minute I couldn't handle the anxiety and I got out of the pool to put it away.

I particularly worried about the chlorine and whether that might damage something, and whether the fact that I was moving my arms vigorously might cause water to enter the inside of the watch. The watch is totally fine. There was no apparent harm done (no evidence of any moisture having entered the watch) but I don't feel comfortable wearing it during swimming or water aerobics.

I know, I know. It's called a "SEA MASTER" so surely if it can master the sea, it can handle a pool, right? Should I feel stupid for worrying needlessly?

 

[mikeyt_53]

It's waterproof to 150 meters or approx 500 ft so you should be just fine with it. Personally though, unless its an actual dive watch i never wear one in the water.

 

[CometHunter]

I think it would be careless (I don't like the word stupid) if you DIDN'T worry. Not worrying is how mistakes and accidents happen.
1) Just make sure the crown is firmly screwed down before going near the water. Those rubber gaskets are under the crown for a reason! LOL
2) A vast majority of swimmers give their watch a quick rinse in FRESH water to wash off swimming pool chlorine or ocean salt.
3) If you're that concerned, I would ease my mind by going to a watchmaker, tell him your concerns, and ask him to perform a water-seal test on your watch.

 

[Wednesday]

Thank you both for your replies. Before posting here, I of course did an internet search on the question and found the same question asked on a different site. The replies ranged from "are you stupid" to "I think he's trolling because this question is so idiotic" (their point being that it is supposed to be okay to be submerged to a certain depth therefore should be fine while swimming). I am highly appreciative that folks here are kinder!

What I felt the respondents of the other site weren't considering was the force generated by the arms moving in the water, especially during something like water aerobics where you are intentionally generating resistance. Sure, the manufacturer says it was tested at a particular depth by generating pressure, but manufacturers of many products are almost always idealistic about the circumstances under which their tests occur. The watch is, I assume, just sitting there withstanding pressure, not being twisted and and turned while undergoing said pressure. After all, water "resistant" is not the same as water "proof" and I don't think the latter is claimed for my watch.

I did find one article that addressed this issue and it did say that watches billed as "water resistant" may be less so than one might hope, precisely because of the pressure during movement issue I raised above. It had a chart showing what level of water resistance one might expect based on what the stated water-pressure level was. It ranged from light sprinkling in the rain, splashing during hand washing, to water sports and finally, actual diving. But it was one article and I don't know who wrote it or what their sources were, so not something I'm willing to risk my several thousand dollar purchase to trust. Thus my question here to see what others thought and/or have experienced.

I think it's generally safer to just leave it home when I'll be in the water. It's on my wish list to get the older model Breitling superocean 36mm in orange, so maybe if I ever get that, I'll feel more confident about wearing it during water sports.

 

[mikeyt_53]

The watches are 'pressure tested' by the manufacturers before they are graded for depth rating. A rating of 150 meters implies it will withstand (or resist if you prefer) the entry of water into the inner workings of the watch down to that depth. Of course no one swims at that depth so a new watch with that kind of rating was designed to handle regular swimming activities or being worn while having a shower (not that i understand the need to do so) without suffering any damage. That ability to withstand water entry though is lost with time so if you are looking at a used Breitling, I would definitely want to have it serviced (ie gaskets replaced) and have it pressure tested by a watch repair facility before wearing it into the water. All that said, i dont wear anything but a dive watch (well, okay i do wear swim trunks too) if I'm going into the water. I'll remove mine and leave it somewhere safe....

 

[johnnybee]

Not an Omega, but my daily watch is a Tissot PRC 200, which, as the name implies is tested to 200 meters. I chose it (I did look at Aqua Terra’s at the time) because of the water resistance rating with the expectation that at a minimum the watch would be seeing service in the water. From the ocean, it always gets a fresh water rinse, and have never had a problem. Now my ‘52 Seamaster never sees water, not even a splash at the sink!