PAM 111 condensation/service advice

[DR3M3L]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a PAM 111N (v2 from noob factory) with an asian 6497 in it. It’s about 2 years old.

A few weeks ago I noticed condensation under the crystal, so I pulled the crown out (I left the case back on) and let it sit in a zip lock bag with packets of silica gel. After a week I checked on it, and the condensation still came back. In fact, there seemed to be tiny droplets of water sitting on the dial.

Figuring that just opening the crown wasn’t sufficient, I used a ball of sticky tape to pop the case back off, and then I let it dry for another week with the silica.

Since then, it’s been sitting on my desk for about a week now.

There appears to be no moisture in the watch now. The dial seems undamaged. But my concern is whether I should get the watch/movement serviced.

I emailed Katt and inquired about getting it serviced, and he replied

If it was just condensation you might be alright. I would just wear the watch and observe any changes to its performance.

I checked the timekeeping over a day, and it was +40sec/day. I haven’t kept track of its performance before this incident, so I don’t have anything to compare with – the last time I would have tested the timekeeping would have been 2 years ago when I first bought it.

While I would like to get it serviced, the cost of a service (including any int’l shipping fees if I can’t do it locally in Australia) is comparable to replacing the movement with another Asian 6497 in future. I figure it might be better to just wear it until the movement needs replacing.

Any advice?

PS: Anyone know a price & source for 6497 movements?

 

[audiguy25]

Did you shower or swim with it?

 

[singstar]

Neither. Only contact with water I can think of would have been washing hands or cleaning the watch with a spray and microfiber cloth.

I may have not closed the crown properly when cleaning it.

 

[audiguy25]

Neither. Only contact with water I can think of would have been washing hands or cleaning the watch with a spray and microfiber cloth.

I may have not closed the crown properly when cleaning it.

You jinxed me my friend. My hublot fogged over too

 

[mapman57]

Fogging can easily happen in many circumstances

Dry it out thoroughly in a sealed airtight container such as a sandwich box full of rice or any hydrous optic material

Seal it up correctly with grease to CB and stem crown o rings

Wear it regularly and check for fogging and timekeeping over a number of consecutive days

It may well just all settle down and stabilise

Then you can decide

Fogging as you've described does not mean the movement is trashed

Good luck



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[mapman57]

Hydrous optic = hydroscopic

iPhone issues!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weargle]

Hygroscopic is in the iOS dictionary.

 

[silverclaw]

I usually take the entire watch apart and stick it in a box with silica gel. Then, grease all the gaskets and screw everything in tightly. You may want to check whether the crown tube gasket is damaged.