Ocean Swimming with Older Rolex

[Rocky Hockey]

Headed to Hawaii shortly and will be spending a lot of time swimming in the saltwater.

I was thinking of bringing either my 25 year old Explorer II or my 22 year old Submariner.

Both watches are well-worn with dents and dings. I spoke with my local authorized(?) service center who advised me that even with new gaskets, seals, pressure testing etc, he felt it was a risk.

He said they would probably be okay, but why risk it? Why not pick up a G-Shock for less than $100?

I know saltwater can be tough and I would be upset if I were to damage either watch.

I don’t baby my watches (not these two at least) but I’m thinking about picking up the G-Shock and just not worrying.

I do have other options. A 2019 Explorer I, but not sure its WR rating. Other contenders- a Hamilton Khaki that is also a year or so old that is rated at 100m.

Still, it’s gonna be a lot of time swimming in the ocean...

I’m leaning towards the G-Shock.

Its funny, I haven’t owned a digital watch since I was a kid. For 80 bucks the Casio is solar powered and synchs to the Atomic Clock. Rated at 200 meters.





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[mnbookman]

It is a risk unless you have them perform a reseal. A reseal would involve testing to 300m on your Submariner.

If they seal and test it right before you leave, I fail to see why there would be a problem.

Source: am a watchmaker.

[Rocky Hockey]

Originally Posted by mnbookman

It is a risk unless you have them perform a reseal. A reseal would involve testing to 300m on your Submariner.

If they seal and test it right before you leave, I fail to see why there would be a problem.

Source: am a watchmaker.

Thank you! I will inquire. It sure would be nice to have the sub back in the ocean!


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[mnbookman]

Did the place you took it to indicate any corrosion or damage on the seal areas?

[Rocky Hockey]

Originally Posted by mnbookman

Did the place you took it to indicate any corrosion or damage on the seal areas?

We only spoke on the phone. I plan to stop by tomorrow 2/25 and show him the watches. Perhaps he’ll have more insight when he sees them in person.

I will eventually send both to RSC. The submariner sustained damage years ago when I took a high speed spill off my road bike. The bezel came off (crystal and gasket too). It went back together easy enough and has been tight ever since. (The titanium rods connecting my L4 and L5 have held tight as well.)


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[mnbookman]

Do not swim in that watch until it is tested.

[TimeLord2]

All sound advice. Aside from wearing one of those beautiful watches, another option is getting a Seiko diver for about $250-300. Looks great and will perform the heavy lifting on the daily no problemo.

[77T]

The newer to you Expl. I will suffice for any swimming you’ll do. Just have it pressure tested and problem solved.


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[SearChart]

Personally I'd never dive/swim with 20+ year old gaskets, whether it passes the test or not. Especially the air testers that most use are not 100% accurate, old gaskets can definitely pass a test.

Sometimes the gaskets look fine once you open up the watch, and they disintegrate when you want to take them out.

Have them replaced before you go for a swim.

[jeorge]

It would be a crying shame not to use the watch and put on some plastic thing. Life is full of risks stop over thinking put on the watch you want and enjoy the entire adventure your going on. Rolex were meant for sea water. Rolex has been saying it for 30 years. " After swimming sea water, rise with fresh water" Get it pressure tested for sure first.

[Motik]

Also check the clasp. You don't want your expensive watch to end up at the bottom of the ocean.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Personally I'd never dive/swim with 20+ year old gaskets, whether it passes the test or not. Especially the air testers that most use are not 100% accurate, old gaskets can definitely pass a test.

Sometimes the gaskets look fine once you open up the watch, and they disintegrate when you want to take them out.

Have them replaced before you go for a swim.

That’s a really interesting take Bas

I didn’t realize this about air testers.

[enjoythemusic]

Get it tested for sure, and if it is that old, may as well get it serviced to ensure water proofness. JMHO

[Rocky Hockey]

Thank you all for the great input!

Local service center (not RSC) was still hedging, even with new seals, gaskets etc. He said they’d ‘probably’ be fine. He also said his pressure testing was pass/fail and not 100% reliable.

Both watches have some decent bruises and neither have ever been to RSC. I’m thinking it’s time. I’ll eschew the complimentary polish. They look good as they are.

My recently acquired Kermit was RSC serviced last March and they assured me it would work to spec. And it’s still under warranty. Not stoked to get that one all beat up though. I wear it often but not ready to turn it into a weekend warrior.

Once the 14060 and the 16570 are fully factory serviced they’ll be my regular ocean swimmers! (Not that I do that often.)

I’m assuming the 16570 will do okay in the ocean, though not technically a diver. I like traveling with it due to the GMT hand.

In the meantime, look what showed up from AMZPrime!



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[saskmh]

A sub is a DIVE watch. Just get it pressure tested before you go to make sure the seals are good.

The explorer would be rated to 100m. but again, get it pressure tested.

I know people who have snorkeled with old acrylic datejusts...and those were only rated to 50m

[SOG DIVER]

It is probably due for at least a real pressure test and replacement of all seals and gaskets.
I have a 1680 red Submariner and a 14060M. The 1680 has more bottom time-serious
diving than any of my other watches. They are Submariner tool watches-built to
take it. The founder of Rolex made his watches for their intended purpose.

[gordonite]

Called an oyster case for a reason, guess it will held up strong even though not pressure tested, just make sure you got the crown screwed tight, good to go!


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[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by gordonite

Called an oyster case for a reason, guess it will held up strong even though not pressure tested, just make sure you got the crown screwed tight, good to go!


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It being a oyster case does not make it water resistant. Only good gaskets do.

[996marty]

Why would you risk it? For the sake of a holiday I’d just leave it at home

[padi56]

As long as any watch no mater its age passes its rated depth rating then it will be fine, if its suitable for the activity you will be using it for

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by padi56

As long as any watch no mater its age passes its rated depth rating then it will be fine, if its suitable for the activity you will be using it for

^^^ THis

[SOG DIVER]

After replacement of gaskets, seals and it passes the re-seal pressure depth testing--
place a NATO nylon band on your Submariner for the trip. Virtually nothing on land
or sea will separate you from your watch. You can place the SS bracelet on at your convenience. One of the advantages of the 14060/14060M Submariners and the vintage
Sub references is drilled lugs: easy switching of band/bracelet. The hallmark of the
tough Rolex tool watch.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by SOG DIVER

After replacement of gaskets, seals and it passes the re-seal pressure depth testing--
place a NATO nylon band on your Submariner for the trip. Virtually nothing on land
or sea will separate you from your watch. You can place the SS bracelet on at your convenience. One of the advantages of the 14060/14060M Submariners and the vintage
Sub references is drilled lugs: easy switching of band/bracelet. The hallmark of the
tough Rolex tool watch.

Nothwitstanding any waterproof debate, I would certainly be inclined to place it on a good NATO or similar. Less potential points of failure and more peace of mind.

[GTS Dean]

I took the family to Maui about 10 years ago. On the plane out, my 16520 Daytona managed to have a screw down pusher disappear completely, so I wore my 25 year old OysterQuartz most of the time. We went out on a dive boat and while the kids dove, the wife and I snorkeled above - I was wearing the OQ. It didn't miss a beat, and didn't suffer from any salt water intrusions. I've done the same with my Speedmaster, which only has a 50M pressure rating. Same results - no issues whatever.

I am firmly of the opinion that there is widespread fear mongering about wearing ANY mechanical watch in water by watch dealers and watch wearers. This isn't the 1930's people!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by GTS Dean

I took the family to Maui about 10 years ago. On the plane out, my 16520 Daytona managed to have a screw down pusher disappear completely, so I wore my 25 year old OysterQuartz most of the time. We went out on a dive boat and while the kids dove, the wife and I snorkeled above - I was wearing the OQ. It didn't miss a beat, and didn't suffer from any salt water intrusions. I've done the same with my Speedmaster, which only has a 50M pressure rating. Same results - no issues whatever.

I am firmly of the opinion that there is widespread fear mongering about wearing ANY mechanical watch in water by watch dealers and watch wearers. This isn't the 1930's people!

I'll make sure to take a picture of every watch that ends up on my workbench with water/moisture in it from now on

[GTS Dean]

YMMV. Be sure to update us on your results!

[Phrank]

I thought the same thing, bought a Seiko diver and brought my Rolex DD (year 2000) to Aruba, thinking I'd wear the Seiko swimming and diving.

Wore the Seiko once, then just left my DD on the entire trip. Only time I changed it was to go ATV'ing, and link in the bracelet came very close to popping out, should've left the DD on.

But it was great wearing the DD, that's what they're made for, they're tanks.

[911991]

I still wear my 1985 submariner 35 years old in the ocean and pool every chance I get, just make sure you have the crown screwed in, and its been serviced and you will be fine, they are made for this...

[Yachtbuoy]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I'll make sure to take a picture of every watch that ends up on my workbench with water/moisture in it from now on

But did those watches have gaskets/seals in good condition and recently pressure tested? Like not trying to be facetious here but if the watch is regularly serviced and the seals are in good order, how would it be different to any other watch?

I'd have more faith in a recently serviced 16xx Datejust over a Seiko SKX that hasn't been pressure tested in 5 years.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Yachtbuoy

But did those watches have gaskets/seals in good condition and recently pressure tested? Like not trying to be facetious here but if the watch is regularly serviced and the seals are in good order, how would it be different to any other watch?

I'd have more faith in a recently serviced 16xx Datejust over a Seiko SKX that hasn't been pressure tested in 5 years.

You can get your watch serviced and tested, then walk out the door and smack it on the doorframe, dislodging the crystal to case gasket.

Anytime you go in the water there is risk. The question is "do you accept that risk".

I don't risk my hard-to-replace watches, not because I think that they are compromised, but because the risk of losing a tritium dial isn't one I choose to accept.