pressure testing a watch ?

[Poohsan]

When a watch is pressure tested is it done with a fully assembled watch or with just the case?

I ask because I've seen images of watches being pressure tested fully assembled.

What happens if the case leaks? Will the water damage the dial and the movement?

[MonBK]

I'm sure this is a serious question so yes, fully assembled.

[Poohsan]

I found a previous discussion on this subject.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...t=68668&drgn=1
But is there a chance that the case can leak during a test and cause damage?

[MonBK]

Of course it can leak during a test.

That's what the test is for.

[Poohsan]

I'm wondering how a service center handles the leak?
How much water can enter the watch?
If the watch has a matt dial will it get water damaged?

[MonBK]

A RSC will do the pressure test after they have serviced the watch so I don't see any problems there.

[HL65]

Arron--that is why watch is pressure tested after serviced and all seals-tube-crown etc. are replaced or brought up to integrity! Not a worry as my friend "Bob" said above!

[jamesbondOO7]

If it is tested, there is obviously a possibility that the test might be failed....What happens then? That is the question.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

If it is tested, there is obviously a possibility that the test might be failed....What happens then?

Then it's back to the drawing board.

[Cannop]

It's not pressure tested in a tank of water it's tested in a vacuum, so there is no chance of water ever getting into the case. The rating is dependent on the amount of movement (flex for want of a better word) detected on the crystal. I'm sure an expert will be along in a while to explain better than I can

[HL65]

QUOTE=Cannop;2286441]It's not pressure tested in a tank of water it's tested in a vacuum, so there is no chance of water ever getting into the case. The rating is dependent on the amount of movement (flex for want of a better word) detected on the crystal. I'm sure an expert will be along in a while to explain better than I can [/QUOTE]

Here you go.................
Water_test[1].jpg

[Tools]

There is a dry pressure test.. The chamber is vacuumed and the case/crystal is measured for flex.. If it flexes, then there is a pressure difference and the case is sealed..

There is a wet test too.... The chamber is pressurized with the watch out of the water.. If the case is not sealed, air will enter it and you will have positive pressure in the case... When the watch is submerged and the rank pressure relieved, any leak in the case will be a release of the positive pressure inside and you will see a stream of bubbles where the seal is bad..

So, the wet test will not allow any water to enter, and the air bubbles will show you which seal is failing......

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is a dry pressure test.. The chamber is vacuumed and the case/crystal is measured for flex.. If it flexes, then there is a pressure difference and the case is sealed..

There is a wet test too.... The chamber is pressurized with the watch out of the water.. If the case is not sealed, air will enter it and you will have positive pressure in the case... When the watch is submerged and the rank pressure relieved, any leak in the case will be a release of the positive pressure inside and you will see a stream of bubbles where the seal is bad..

So, the wet test will not allow any water to enter, and the air bubbles will show you which seal is failing......

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is a dry pressure test.. The chamber is vacuumed and the case/crystal is measured for flex.. If it flexes, then there is a pressure difference and the case is sealed..

There is a wet test too.... The chamber is pressurized with the watch out of the water.. If the case is not sealed, air will enter it and you will have positive pressure in the case... When the watch is submerged and the rank pressure relieved, any leak in the case will be a release of the positive pressure inside and you will see a stream of bubbles where the seal is bad..

So, the wet test will not allow any water to enter, and the air bubbles will show you which seal is failing......

X2

[rmfnla]

GREAT info; thanks!

[Rikki]

Ok all good theories tools did the best with that particular test but there are three types of tests the one tools described the air vacuum and pressure test which measures deflection of the case in nano meters or billionths of a meter, these first 2 tests can be done fully assembled but the wet test can be dangerous because if you have a real bad leak and submerge the watch after positive pressure is in the leaky watch and release the pressure to rapidly you will literally blow the crystal off the watch and then total and instant flooding. The total water submergence test done by and or for Rolex is done with a Roxer Natator 125 tester with the movement out of the watch. The watch is sealed then totally submerged ,pressurized to proper specs if no leaks detected after watch comes out then it is put on a hot plate set at 47 degrees centergrade till it warms to that temperature at which point a drop of cold water is dropped on the crystal if it doesn't fog up you're good to go. That's how it's done. Rik

[Poohsan]

Thanks for all the replies. I now feel better about taking my 1680 for service. I’ll ask what methods they use to test the watch. I would hate to damage the dial.