“Maintaining a Swiss Watch After Water Intrusion”
Symptoms of Water Intrusion:
(1) **Fogging** inside the watch crystal, especially
“Maintaining a Swiss Watch After Water Intrusion”
Symptoms of Water Intrusion:
(1) **Fogging** inside the watch crystal, especially noticeable with significant temperature changes.
(2) Condensation of **water droplets** inside the watch crystal.
(3) Presence of **large amounts of water** on the crystal and dial.
Types of Water Intrusion:
(1) Pure or distilled water
(2) Tap or rainwater
(3) Beverages or beer
(4) Seawater
(5) Cosmetics or chemicals
Distilled water causes the least damage, while seawater’s corrosivity is significant, and the impact of chemicals is even more severe. The priority for a waterlogged Swiss watch is quick **drying and servicing**; neglect can lead to severe rusting of metallic parts within the movement, necessitating costly repairs due to the “disastrous” effects of water intrusion.
Immediate Actions for a Waterlogged Swiss Watch:
(1) For minor condensation, wrap the watch tightly in tissue paper or a moisture-absorbing cloth and place near a 40-watt bulb approximately 15cm away for about 30 minutes. Avoid direct heat exposure to prevent crystal deformation.
(2) Wear the watch with the crystal facing inward and the case back outward on your wrist for two hours to eliminate moisture. For severe water intrusion, professional servicing is advised to remove moisture and prevent rust.
(3) Place the watch in a sealed container with granular silica gel for several hours. This method is simple, cost-effective, and harmless to the watch’s accuracy and lifespan. Silica gel can be rejuvenated by drying at 120°C for several hours and reused multiple times.
Preventive Measures: Avoid exposing the watch to moisture when not worn and keep it away from magnetic fields to maintain accuracy. Moreover, any watch, even if not a diving model, that has been exposed to water should be checked by a professional to prevent serious damage to the movement. Humid conditions can cause oil inside the watch to coagulate, leading to erratic timekeeping, and seawater’s corrosiveness necessitates a freshwater rinse post-activity to prevent metal corrosion.
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