Can’t remove Condensation

[Jackie Daytona]

Recently my wife was washing something outside with a hose and splashed her watch a little bit, not a full submersion or anything, and she immediately mentioned it to me. I didn’t think too much of it despite the age, because as I had mentioned it just got splashed a bit, and I believe (believed) it should have been able to withstand this. Apparently I was wrong. I have had the watch submerged in rice with the crown open a couple days now, but there still appears to be condensation on the dial.


Admittedly not a great picture, but that kind of dark blotchy area around the middle of the dial is the condensation I am referring to. Some of the white stuff all over is from the rice.

Obviously it will need a full service, but does anyone have any more advice on how I might remove this, or if what I am seeing is just damage to the dial at this point that appears as condensation?

Also, I know it’s largely frowned upon, but near the coronet I dm seeing what is indeed some some damage. As this is my wife’s, and her first nice watch anyone have a recommendation as to a good matte dial refinished stateside? I know Michael Young gets a lot of recommendations here, but really don’t want to attempt to send it all the way over there.

[Jackie Daytona]

An attempt at a better picture.

[lew07]

Place it in Your airing cupboard /boiler room that will clear it.

[Dan S]

you might want to remove the back also. Regarding the dial, maybe just look for a replacement, it will be nicer looking than a re-paint, and probably not too expensive.

[SubKing]

if you cannot gain access to the back of the watch. Unscrew the crown and hold a hairdryer from a distance on it to make the watch nice and warm, do this for about 5 minutes and the warm heat should evaporate the condensation

[harry in montreal]

until monday, I would leave the crown pulled And place in a sealed Tupperware on a bed of rice. I prefer chicken fried ric, but the rice should be dry uncooked rice. The dry rice can pull some condensation out. Prob you have a bad gasket on the back or the crown is not sealing against the tube.

[Jackie Daytona]

I appreciate you alls insight. I’ll probably try the hairdryer method a bit later. It’s been on rice for a few days, but it seems like it needs some heat to raise it off the dial and get it out.

I may look for a replacement dial dependent on damage, but it seems pretty difficult to find a non COSC dial with the thin stick indices. That’s largely why even if a bit pricier I was curious about finding someone to refinish it.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I appreciate you alls insight. I’ll probably try the hairdryer method a bit later. It’s been on rice for a few days, but it seems like it needs some heat to raise it off the dial and get it out.

I may look for a replacement dial dependent on damage, but it seems pretty difficult to find a non COSC dial with the thin stick indices. That’s largely why even if a bit pricier I was curious about finding someone to refinish it.

Opening the crown will likely do nothing, it does not open a hole to the inside of the watch. Even if it did, evaporation will likely not sneak over and jump out by that pathway, it will just wait around and recondense.

To remove moisture you take the caseback off and lay a watch face down on a warm/hotplate until it is dry, then replace the case back.

Looking at the watch I would say that it is likely leaking through the crystal/case seal, the most likely place when a watch leaks so easily.

[daveo5]

Rolex service centers for oyster quartz, NYC or Dallas, have service OQ dials. Not cheap but would you really want to chintz on the watch?


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[Nickn]

Similar think happened to me I took the back off and put the watch face down on a radiator no damage appears to have been done

[Jackie Daytona]

Thank you all for the advice in regards to the fact that it really cannot vent out of the crown. Got some heat in it and got the moisture off the face now, it only I had a tool to open it :/ . As much as I don’t want to, I may have to send it off with some moisture in it still since I do not have anything to remove the case back. I may try and use a racket ball to try and apply enough pressure to twist it and see if that works, but I doubt it.

I appreciate the insight on RSCs as well, but this is not an oyster quartz. It’s a pretty old pre COSC ladies OP Date 26mm. It’s from probably right around Mid 60s. I haven’t pulled the band off to look for the SN as it’s my wife’s watch and it was never really a big deal.

[Dan S]

A dog's Kong toy sometimes works. If you happen to have one lying around.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Dan S

A dog's Kong toy sometimes works. If you happen to have one lying around.

LOL. That’s a good tip, Dan. I’ll have to remember it!

This looks a lot like my wife’s 6919 (except it has a silver dial). It say early ‘70s. Save that dial if you can. It has an awesome vintage vibe.

[214270Explorer]

Proper service - - - or - - - permanent damage. Just Sayin'.

[Jackie Daytona]

I’ll have to try the kong dog toy, the other ideas didn’t work.

I love the dial on this, I hope it’s able to be salvaged. I’d not I would like to have it restored to original. They may be women’s watches, but these older ones have some really elegant old dials.

Definitely planning to service it. Just hoping to get the moisture out first.

Thanks again for the tips everyone.

[AJMarcus]

It’s time for a trip to a Rolex watchmaker

[SailingLife]

A sticky ball they sale them on eBay for a couple bucks or make one of duct tape