Well it all depends on water resistance of your watch. Before we get
started, I must make one thing clear. There is no such thing as a
“water proof” watch. That term was discarded years ago. Now watch
manufacturers prefer the term “
water resistant“, although I must say the Hublot King Power 4000 meter
diver comes pretty close to having optimal water resistance.
Hublot’s
Diving Watch can Dive to Depths no man has dived before!
Watches
have varying degrees of Water Resistance depending on the efficiency of
the gaskets (O-rings made of rubber, nylon or Teflon, which seals the
watch where crystal, case back, and crown meet the watch case); quality
of sealant as well as the thickness and material of watch case. A
screw in case back and crown also increases water resistance.
When buying a
Water Resistant Timepiece take note of the water resistance to see whether it matches your lifestyle. Below is a water resistance guideline:
- To describe a watch as water resistant
or 2 ATM, it must have a minimum of 20 meters water resistance;
however it is advisable at this minimum requirement, water should be
entirely avoided.
- 30m or 50m (3 to 5ATM): Minor Splashes. Okay for fishing
and hanging out by the pool. You can wear the watch in the rain,
provided it is not a torrential down pour, and you can wash your hands
under a faucet. NOT for swimming and diving. Many Haute Joillerie
watches encrusted with gems are water resistant to 30 or 50 meters.
- 100 meters or 10 ATM, is suitable for swimming and pool
diving, but not for serious sea diving or sports where the water
pressure can become quite high like in white water rafting or waterfall
plunging.
- At 200 meter (20 ATM) water resistance, you can do some
serious marine sports and competitive swimming and diving from a diving
board; however, if the watch is not specifically designed for diving,
one should check on whether one can scuba dive with the watch.
- Divers 200m to 300m (20ATM to 30ATM), one can dive with scuba equipment not requiring a Helium Tank.
- Divers 300m + Helium Valve. Here you are getting into
some serious deep water and a Helium Valve ensures the watch will not
be damaged as a result of the tiny Helium molecules which sneaked into
the watch case while under the water. The Helium Valve releases these
molecules and reduces the pressure within the watch. The helium and
hydrogen molecules cause no damage while the watch is at great depths
under pressure but as soon as the diver resurfaces, a pressure
difference occurs between the trapped gas(es) inside the watch case and
the surrounding air. This can cause the crystal to pop off damaging
the watch thus the helium valve is a crucial edition to diving watches
enabling the diver to release the gas build up and restore equilibrium.
Croton 1000 Meter Quartz Yellow Dial Rubber Strap Dive Watch
TAKE NOTE:
Although, a watch may be labeled as
having a specific water resistancy, the water resistancy can lesson
over time as a result of gasket deterioration, especially if the watch
has been exposed to salt water or chlorine. In order to maintain the
water resistancy of the watch, it is advisable to get your watch
serviced at least once every two years.
