We all know that many different watches have varying degrees of water resistance. A watch waterproof tester is a device that can accurately measure this resistance.
No watch is really truly “waterproof”, however. Though some people may refer to a watch as being waterproof, this is certainly not the case. The truth is that a watch can only be water resistant.
Before 1990, a lot of companies used to refer to watches as being “waterproof”. However, for legal reasons, companies were no longer allowed to use that term. This is because “waterproof” means that no amount of water can ever penetrate the watch case.
Since every watch can become venerable to water at some point, companies are only going to refer to a watch as “water resistant” at this point. Now the degree to which a watch is water resistant is going to depend on its water resistance rating.
Oftentimes even a watch’s water resistance rating can be misleading. This has to do with how that resistance is actually measured.
How Do They Pressure Test a Watch?
These days, water resistance of a watch can be measured a few different ways. They can be submerged in water, sprayed with water jets, or tested with an air compressor.
When a watch is fully submerged, it will be placed in water at a certain depth. This depth will be what the watch is rated for as far as water resistance goes.
When a watch is sprayed with water jets, the force of the spray will be the equivalent to the rating of water resistance that the watch is given.
Lastly, in the case of compressed air, the watch is put in a chamber where compressed air puts pressure on a watch, and this measurement is used to determine its water resistance.
Are These Tests Accurate?
The problem with all of these methods, is that they do not account for the actual usage of a watch when underwater. For example, if a watch is rated 3ATM, then it should be good to wear 30 meters underwater, right?
Not necessarily. This is because just being 30 meters underwater is one thing, but swimming while 30 meters underwater will apply additional pressure to the watch. These factors are not accounted for.
For this reason, here is a more general guideline for what you can expect from water resistance ratings on a watch.
- 3-5 ATM: Can withstand splashes of water, rain, and maybe even showering, but shouldn’t be fully submerged in water.
- 10 ATM: Can handle swimming, snorkeling, and maybe even scuba diving.
- 20 ATM: Can handle deep diving.
- 30 ATM and up: Suitable for professional diving, or saturation diving.
Keep in mind that over time, a watch’s water resistance will wear down with use. This is why it is recommended to get a watch pressure tested from time to time. You can have this done by a professional at a cost of around $40 to $100.
Or an alternative is to test it yourself, which is the main point of this article. What is a good watch waterproof tester?
The Best Watch Waterproof Tester?
Finding the right water pressure tester for a watch doesn’t have to be difficult. There are several options available if you do a google search. However, when it comes to price, and ease of use, The Salmue pressure tester may just be your best bet.
First of all, it has the ability to test two watches at one time. Second, it has a transparent case, which allows you to observe the watches while they are being tested. This tester will test a watch using a pressure of up to 6ATM. 6ATM would be the equivalent to the pressure of about 60 meters underwater.
Finding out whether or not your watch has adequate water resistance is fairly simple with this tester. While the watch is submerged in the water, if you notice the presence of bubbles coming from the watch, that means that it is not adequately sealed against water. No bubbles, means that the watch does have proper defenses against water penetration.
Quick Look
- affordable
- easy to use
- accurate
Once you determine whether or not your watch has proper sealing against water, you can then take the necessary measures.
What To Do If My Watch Has Lost its Water Resistance?
If the results of the pressure test reveal that your watch no longer has adequate water resistance, you have a few options on what to do next.
#1: Replace the Watch
This option would be best for the more inexpensive watches. If the watch wasn’t very expensive to begin with, then it might make more sense to just replace it rather than dealing with the hassle of having it fixed.
#2: Have the Watch Repaired by a Professional
This is probably going to be your best option when it comes to repairing a watch you want to keep. A certified professional will have the tools and the skills to repair a watch. The prices are going to vary depending on the particular watch, and the types of repairs that may be necessary.
#3: Attempt to Repair it Yourself
If you would rather not spend the money to repair a watch, or if you just want to try your hand at it, you can attempt to repair the watch yourself. Use this option only if you are confident in your abilities, or don’t mind the fact that you could make a mistake that may irreparably damage your watch. There are online guides that will show you how to restore water resistance in a watch.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to testing and maintaining the water resistance of your watch, a good waterproof tester can be a valuable tool. With proper care and maintenance, your watch can be worn in the water and last for many years to come!
That concludes our look into home water resistance testing for watches. If you would like to learn more interesting things about watches, then feel free to check out our info section here
