Davidsen 2nd Generation PVD arrived today

[lagae]

You should not be swimming with a 3 atm watch. The pressure that you can generate by moving your watch on the water can far exceed that 3 atm limit

So can anyone point me to some place that shows how much pressure you can actually generate on a watch by various activities? What's the maximum psi you could subject a watch to by diving into the water? How about from a diving board? And I'd really like to know how much additional force I could subject to a watch while swimming 30 feet below the surface. I know that every time I've gone diving I really can't move my arms all that fast while under water.

And no, I don't need to see yet another chart that shows I need a 10 atm before sitting in the tub with it. I would really like to see just how much force you really can apply to the watch by doing various activities.

 

[speedy1]

You should not be swimming with a 3 atm watch. The pressure that you can generate by moving your watch on the water can far exceed that 3 atm limit

So can anyone point me to some place that shows how much pressure you can actually generate on a watch by various activities? What's the maximum psi you could subject a watch to by diving into the water? How about from a diving board? And I'd really like to know how much additional force I could subject to a watch while swimming 30 feet below the surface. I know that every time I've gone diving I really can't move my arms all that fast while under water.

And no, I don't need to see yet another chart that shows I need a 10 atm before sitting in the tub with it. I would really like to see just how much force you really can apply to the watch by doing various activities.

I have to admit to being curious on this subject to now. It makes total sense that the force wold be compounded by movment. SO much so I can't believe it never occured to me. Some how I just always equated depth to pressure only.

 

[pugwash]

And no, I don't need to see yet another chart that shows I need a 10 atm before sitting in the tub with it. I would really like to see just how much force you really can apply to the watch by doing various activities.

So this one is no use?

• A watch rated 50 Meters is expected to survive immersion without pressure such as being worn while washing up dishes.[/*:m:1j86v7d8]
• A watch marked with 100 Meters should be able to survive surface swimming.[/*:m:1j86v7d8]
• A watch marked with 200 Meters should be able to survive Scuba Diving to a depth of 30 meters.[/*:m:1j86v7d8]
• A watch marked with 1000 Meters should be able to withstand pressure greater than 500 Meters which is at the edge of the limit of human endurance.[/*:m:1j86v7d8]

Sorry, then.

 

[moggio]

Enzo, thanks for your advice and point of view....now I know how its goes...its not more of style..its more on practicall individual

 

[lagae]

So this one is no use?

• A watch rated 50 Meters is expected to survive immersion without pressure such as being worn while washing up dishes.[/*:m:1lfbyhyd]
• A watch marked with 100 Meters should be able to survive surface swimming.[/*:m:1lfbyhyd]
• A watch marked with 200 Meters should be able to survive Scuba Diving to a depth of 30 meters.[/*:m:1lfbyhyd]
• A watch marked with 1000 Meters should be able to withstand pressure greater than 500 Meters which is at the edge of the limit of human endurance.[/*:m:1lfbyhyd]

That doesn't really help. There are many similar lists. Do I really need a watch rated to 50 meters before I can wash the dishes with it? 30 meters isn't good enough? How am I going to get more than 45 psi of pressure on the watch by putting my hands in some soapy water?

Or why can't a watch rated to 50 meters be used for surface swimming? How is it possible to subject the watch to around 75 psi at the surface?

That chart also says I need a 100 meter watch to swim at the surface. Can I really come close to hitting the watch with 150 psi of force on the surface? And how is it possible to get that much force on the watch while swimming underwater?

BTW, you can find all sorts of different descriptions as to what those depths mean. Seiko says that 50 meters is "suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water." Dakota watches (never heard of them either) claims "It would be safe to swim with a watch that is marked with a depth in excess of 1 ATM as long as the watch is tested every 12 months for water resistance."

 

[RqThrottle]

lagae,

You are looking to be given an absolute rule, which obviously does not exist. I think you should use your common sense after gather information yourself from reputable sources. You could try posting the question to a diver's watch forum. I am sure that they have a lot of first hand experience about the subject.

 

[lagae]

lagae,

You are looking to be given an absolute rule, which obviously does not exist. I think you should use your common sense after gather information yourself from reputable sources. You could try posting the question to a diver's watch forum. I am sure that they have a lot of first hand experience about the subject.

I don't need an absolute rule. I have also asked for this on many different forums and have read many threads about it.

Most replys simply quote someone's chart as to what the various pressures mean. Going by that you really would have no idea. Some say 1 atm is good for swimming, others say 10 atm or more is required for swimming.

Those charts will sometimes justify the need for those pressures by saying that the pressure on the watch can increase becuase you can move your hands rapidly through the watch. That's the information I haven't been able to find - how much increase in pressure can you add to a watch by doing various activities.

BTW, I did find a lengthy thread on some dive forum where someone questioned the same thing. However, they figured out the maximum pressures that the human body could take and still survive, and still you needed a watch that could withstand even more pressure. Personally, if I'm subjected to so much pressure that it actually kills me, I doubt I'd care about the watch.

Also, does anyone know what it takes for a manufacturer to stamp a pressure or depth rating on a watch? I would assume that at least one watch was subjected to the static pressure test. However, do they have to test every watch?

Previously I've paid to have my watches pressure tested, and now I do it myself. All of my watches are tested to 3 atm and I've never had any problems with them. They've gone swimming, to water parks and washed the dog and car.

 

[pugwash]

I don't need an absolute rule. I have also asked for this on many different forums and have read many threads about it.

Surely the lack of answers tells you something ...

 

[episaacs]

If the list does not yet exist, surely this would be a golden opportunity to do some original research on your own. That way you could contribute and avoid so much frustration (not to mention use it as you masters thesis?)

 

[speedy1]

I don't need an absolute rule. I have also asked for this on many different forums and have read many threads about it.

Surely the lack of answers tells you something ...

That is just it, it isn't a LACK of answers that I have found, but an unruly number of opinions. I say opinions because it is very rare anyone can substantiate their theories with any real numbers.


I think the rule of thumb previously posted is probably a good guideline. But I decided to as a watchsmith who is certified on a high end watch brand.

Soooooo, just out of curiosity, I called Time Tech in Dallas TX. They are the certified Omega resource/repair for my part of the country. He stated that they test the Omega Seamaster to 1000 feet or 37.5 Atmospheres. He said that in Omega’s opinion, that depth is enough to withstand the rigors of everyday use and ANY diving to be done by the average and above average diver. Standard dress watches are usually checked to a depth of 50 meters of water (which would be 5 atmospheres) after service. 50 meters is enough to insure day to day water resistance and swimming as long as it is verified every year. But most of the time they test to 100 meters to give a bit of insurance to themselves.

When I asked about the pressures exerted upon the watch (like when you are swimming and the wrist hits the water with significant force. He laughed a bit and stated that very very rarely will that force be concentrated across a seal. The force is usually dissipated by the build of ANY competent watch design. Usually the main areas to watch are the crown and the crystal seal. The back (as long as it is a new gasket) is shielded from any force by your arm. The crown design on sport watches makes it difficult to see the condition of the gasket; this is the main item that is checked from year to year. And if the quality of the watch is a consideration, then the quality of the crystal-gasket-machining of the case comes into play and the larger the surface area of said crystal gives that much more room to have a flaw. So these need to be checker to a depth of at least 100 meters for any assurance what so ever.

So basically (in this fellows opinion and Omegas I guess) test your watch to 1000 ft (300 meters) and you are good to go for anything. But if you just want to wear it and not worry about it 10 atmospheres is not a bad starting point.

 

[seank]

Desk diver only.

Must ... resist ... muff ... diver ... jokes ...

No jokes on such a serious subject, please. I'm in the throes of a muff diving addiction at present..... :wink:

I know I am a little late but I too am I board certified muff diver.



Sean K

 

[pugwash]

Has nothing to do with science or pressure, or forces of nature.

Bravo. Excellent post.

 

[episaacs]

watashiwa wakarimas

 

[bigbadbrad]

If it's TESTED to 3ATM, that means quite a bit more - because the PANERAI design in theory is a dive watch that will sustain a lot of pressure - ideally 40ATM by design - sure, it's a rep and tolerances are different ... but take the design and the 3ATM test and you can be pretty confident it's going to work in just about all uses, except for actual diving/scuba. Then my opinion is; "Why are you diving with a Replica Watch? Isn't your life worth more than that?!

I do dive - but I sure don't use a rep PAM for that, just a good trusty Seiko Diver's - that I don't mind banging around and have had at 35m.

Now back to the Davidsen Reps. I'm glad Enzo made the point about "tested to 3 ATM". Both my 201a / 202a have been OK just pottering around in the pool. PAMs - gens - were made to get wet, the case is a design exericse in this primary functionality. Acccordingly, having a rep that can - at a minimum - be worn in a pool / lake and get wet (not diving in, I avoid that) adds to my enjoyment. Ideally these reps would enable us to experience a wider range of usaage.

It's OK if you a desk diver - or some other diver, m - ff - but as a *diver* I like it that I can use these 2 reps in camping / boating etc without being paranoid.

Doesn't make that - given the Luminor's heritage as water / naval pieces - make these reps more enjoyable?

-- BBB