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tedscott3 · 16 January 2013, 08:37 AM

I recently bought a 1969 DD, and was wondering how waterproof it is. I don't plan to dive with it or anything like that, but I just want to make sure it can be totally submerged in water for a period of time. Thanks for the feedback.

kooltzar · 16 January 2013, 08:48 AM

I would only risk it, if it has no pitting and the seal ring is pretty new. Mind soap however, never take it into the shower.

MonBK · 16 January 2013, 08:55 AM

If you just bought it and know nothing of its history it would be a good idea to at least have it pressure tested.

katana · 16 January 2013, 08:58 AM

When I bought my 180 38 DD, so I left it serviced by Rolex. Among many other things, so they tested the clock, so that it is waterproof.'ve Had it on holiday in the water, now for several years. Take also to test your watch at Rolex.

linesiders · 16 January 2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

If you just bought it and know nothing of its history it would be a good idea to at least have it pressure tested.

This

I had a similar case that would likely leak if got it wet (I didn't) and I could see some condensation in the right conditions. I have little doubt that repaired by a watchmaker it would be fine.

If you don't know the history, get a service. If you know the service history, get it pressure tested.

joe100 · 16 January 2013, 09:05 AM

Seal replacement and a pressure test

kooltzar · 16 January 2013, 09:25 AM

Rolex never gives waterproofness guarantees on serviced vintage watches.

drockadam · 16 January 2013, 10:28 AM

Get her pressure tested sir!

joseluu · 16 January 2013, 04:42 PM

Unless they are dedicated divers. I consider the "waterproofness" of a watch to be inversely proportional to age and the square of price.

Vincent65 · 16 January 2013, 08:48 PM

get it tested and you'll know if you're good to go and get wet with it!

andyboy39 · 16 January 2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

If you just bought it and know nothing of its history it would be a good idea to at least have it pressure tested.

I Concur.

Kingair · 16 January 2013, 09:40 PM

Mine is tested . . . but I don't use it in or under water . . .

But I do use it above water . . .

HAGOne

harry in montreal · 16 January 2013, 09:45 PM

You better off to buy a beat up sub, pressure test it, and have wet n wild fun with it. H

andromeda160 · 16 January 2013, 10:06 PM

If it was pressure tested I'd dive with it

SUBversive · 16 January 2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

If you just bought it and know nothing of its history it would be a good idea to at least have it pressure tested.

X2

In fact, you may want to consider having it serviced.

Mark020 · 17 January 2013, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseluu

Unless they are dedicated divers. I consider the "waterproofness" of a watch to be inversely proportional to age and the square of price.

Plus 1!

gpfps · 17 January 2013, 12:29 AM

That year DD is only 30 or 50 meters. Around the mid 70s they increased it to 100 meters. With your watch you can not swim with it.

joseluu · 17 January 2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark020

Plus 1!

I see I am not the only engineer around!!

tedscott3 · 17 January 2013, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpfps

That year DD is only 30 or 50 meters. Around the mid 70s they increased it to 100 meters. With your watch you can not swim with it.

This answers my question perfect, thanks.

MonBK · 17 January 2013, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedscott3

This answers my question perfect, thanks.

How so, do you swim below 30-50 meter?

Kingair · 17 January 2013, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

How so, do you swim below 30-50 meter?

Not this week Mon . . . .

It's a little bit to cold here . . .

HAGOne

mjclark32 · 17 January 2013, 02:38 AM

Pressure test for sure. What's its service history?

slcbbrown · 17 January 2013, 04:52 AM

Been wearing Rolex for about 40 years and never worry about swimming if the watch has had a reasonably recent service. This goes for my first, a '73 GMT, as well as, my father's late 50's T-bird. In fact the thunderbird is my prefered "beater" for hiking and climbing, and I have never hesitated to swim with it.

I don't agree, at all, that you shouldn't wear your DD swimming. Once it is serviced or pressure tested, it will be fine. If the service/testing doesn't make it watertight, they'll tell you-- then, don't swim with it.

tedscott3 · 17 January 2013, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

How so, do you swim below 30-50 meter?

No, but I was just wondering when this came from the factory what they said it could withstand. How many people take their sub as deep as it can go? When generically asking how deep a watch can go, or how fast a car can go you make the assumption that it is mechanically sound. That being said when you buy anything used it is good to have it looked at and tested before actually testing its limits.

landroverking · 17 January 2013, 12:05 PM

That year should be 50 meters 165 ft.

crowncollection · 17 January 2013, 12:17 PM

should be 50m, but as monbk said you need to test that, things deteriate over the years eg, seals, glasses get small cracks at the base.

vintage69 · 17 January 2013, 12:58 PM

I have a 69 Date. i would not hesitate to swim with it, but my watchmaker pressured tested it to 150 meters without any problems.

gpfps · 18 January 2013, 01:02 AM

50 meters is not for swimming Rolex tech told me. Has to do with movement in the water not just still under the water. DD with SC as a tighter fit than the old PC. I wish you could swim a be safe to wear a watch with 50 m. I was going to buy a brietling emergency rated at 50 meters . The dealer told not wear it the water and the Brietling web says it also .Do a google on watch water proof it will tell you.

Michael M. · 20 January 2013, 01:56 AM

If I was going to dive with a 69 DD I would replace the gaskets, seals, crystal, and worn tubes and or crown. Then have it pressure tested

francis · 20 January 2013, 02:39 AM

If my winder box floods then my 63 Oyster no date is a goner...:)

16 January 2013, 08:37 AM	#1
tedscott3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego Watch: 116610LV Posts: 572	1969 DD - How waterproof is it? I recently bought a 1969 DD, and was wondering how waterproof it is. I don't plan to dive with it or anything like that, but I just want to make sure it can be totally submerged in water for a period of time. Thanks for the feedback.

16 January 2013, 08:58 AM	#4
katana "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Paradis Location: Sweden Watch: Sub.1680/ Datejust Posts: 885	When I bought my 180 38 DD, so I left it serviced by Rolex. Among many other things, so they tested the clock, so that it is waterproof.'ve Had it on holiday in the water, now for several years. Take also to test your watch at Rolex. __________________

16 January 2013, 09:05 AM	#6
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	Seal replacement and a pressure test __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

17 January 2013, 02:38 AM	#22
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Pressure test for sure. What's its service history? __________________

17 January 2013, 12:17 PM	#26
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,166	should be 50m, but as monbk said you need to test that, things deteriate over the years eg, seals, glasses get small cracks at the base. __________________ watches many

16 January 2013, 08:48 AM	#2
kooltzar "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Zürich Watch: Submariner 5512 Posts: 922	I would only risk it, if it has no pitting and the seal ring is pretty new. Mind soap however, never take it into the shower.

16 January 2013, 08:55 AM	#3
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,280	If you just bought it and know nothing of its history it would be a good idea to at least have it pressure tested.

16 January 2013, 09:25 AM	#7
kooltzar "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Zürich Watch: Submariner 5512 Posts: 922	Rolex never gives waterproofness guarantees on serviced vintage watches.

16 January 2013, 10:28 AM	#8
drockadam "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Adam Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: Pepsi. Posts: 5,749	Get her pressure tested sir!

16 January 2013, 04:42 PM	#9
joseluu "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Madrid (Spain) Posts: 702	Unless they are dedicated divers. I consider the "waterproofness" of a watch to be inversely proportional to age and the square of price.

16 January 2013, 08:48 PM	#10
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,297	get it tested and you'll know if you're good to go and get wet with it!

16 January 2013, 09:45 PM	#13
harry in montreal "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal Watch: The Habs pick 1st! Posts: 3,589	You better off to buy a beat up sub, pressure test it, and have wet n wild fun with it. H

16 January 2013, 10:06 PM	#14
andromeda160 Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Greg Location: michigan Watch: Rolex Oyster Posts: 4,046	If it was pressure tested I'd dive with it

17 January 2013, 12:29 AM	#17
gpfps Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: George Location: Detroit Michigan Watch: 18078 Posts: 1,142	That year DD is only 30 or 50 meters. Around the mid 70s they increased it to 100 meters. With your watch you can not swim with it.

17 January 2013, 04:52 AM	#23
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,688	Been wearing Rolex for about 40 years and never worry about swimming if the watch has had a reasonably recent service. This goes for my first, a '73 GMT, as well as, my father's late 50's T-bird. In fact the thunderbird is my prefered "beater" for hiking and climbing, and I have never hesitated to swim with it. I don't agree, at all, that you shouldn't wear your DD swimming. Once it is serviced or pressure tested, it will be fine. If the service/testing doesn't make it watertight, they'll tell you-- then, don't swim with it.

17 January 2013, 12:05 PM	#25
landroverking "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Jay Location: TEXAS Watch: Daytona Posts: 7,648	That year should be 50 meters 165 ft.

17 January 2013, 12:58 PM	#27
vintage69 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Bob W Location: sunny sw Watch: 1969 p date Posts: 382	I have a 69 Date. i would not hesitate to swim with it, but my watchmaker pressured tested it to 150 meters without any problems.

18 January 2013, 01:02 AM	#28
gpfps Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: George Location: Detroit Michigan Watch: 18078 Posts: 1,142	50 meters is not for swimming Rolex tech told me. Has to do with movement in the water not just still under the water. DD with SC as a tighter fit than the old PC. I wish you could swim a be safe to wear a watch with 50 m. I was going to buy a brietling emergency rated at 50 meters . The dealer told not wear it the water and the Brietling web says it also .Do a google on watch water proof it will tell you.

20 January 2013, 01:56 AM	#29
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	If I was going to dive with a 69 DD I would replace the gaskets, seals, crystal, and worn tubes and or crown. Then have it pressure tested

20 January 2013, 02:39 AM	#30
francis "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: a few places Watch: Datejust Posts: 796	If my winder box floods then my 63 Oyster no date is a goner...:)

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