Helium escape valve

[physicist]

I have a 2254.50 and, while I have no use for the helium escape valve, I am curious to know what unscrewing that thing would do that wouldn’t be accomplished by simply unscrewing the winding crown if there were a positive helium pressure in the watch. Anyone have input on that?

[Tools]

I suppose you could.

The Helium Valve is a one way pressure actuated release. When in a dive bell, helium rich, environment, when you go back up the helium expands faster than it seeps in.

With Rolex its always active and patented: Omega uses their own patented valve.

[TimeLord2]

Great info Larry! I never warmed up to the helium escape valve. I have the 2234.50 without an escape valve but still 300M water resistant. That said, I will probably never take it deeper than 3 meters, maybe 4… There is no dive bell in my future.

[Cr_Zeek]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Great info Larry! I never warmed up to the helium escape valve. I have the 2234.50 without an escape valve but still 300M water resistant. That said, I will probably never take it deeper than 3 meters, maybe 4… There is no dive bell in my future.

That's deeper than 98% of Seamasters will ever go. :D

[brandrea]

Wouldn’t unscrewing the crown allow helium to enter the watch? What’s the purpose of the HEV otherwise ?

[Tools]

Helium molecules are considerably smaller than air molecules.

Under depth pressures the smaller helium molecules will seep into the watch whether the crown is open or closed. It will likely go right past the crystal gaskets too.

It enters the watch over the entire time it is in the helium rich environment making your watch a tiny pressurized time bomb if conditions change too rapidly.