PAM 243 Pressure Test

[ekattan]

I took my PAM Submersible to get tested to a local watch repair guy. They really don't mind if its a REP or not.

He told me they use a air pressure tester and showed me the machine. It really looked like top of the line equipment. So I agreed.

The watch tech told me that the tester had signaled a major leak and the test couldn't be completed. tech said means either two things, one the watch has a compromised point somewhere which they would have to take apart to find out. The second, would be that the watch has a capacity higher than 500 Meters which is the most the tester can pressurize, and so hence the error.

I told him since the watch is a Rep I'm assuming the first.

The crown and caseback would be a easy to fix, but the glass and the He valve are the ones that worry me the most.

Has anyone taken the watch apart and looked at the He Valve?

 

[R2D4]

Find someone with a real tester that will actually water proof your watch. That's my advice.

 

[smokiedabong]

The 243 is pretty well built and easy to waterproof if it's not already. Most of the time it only takes some silicone grease. The only problem I think you may have is with the crown, sometimes the gasket doesn't actually touch the crown tube and you may need a thinker gasket or mount a spacer between the crown and gasket.

 

[ekattan]

I read about the crown, even some people using a pen gasket to fix this issue.

So the He valve wouldn't be a problem? Is that just for show? Looking at it seems to me that piece is assembled and can be removed?

It very hard where I live to find a watch smith, i was even planning to do it my self but I noticed that to properly open and close the caseback I would need a special tool, I even found it on ebay but it was sold out. I really rather not tinker with it, might just ruin such a beautiful watch, but I really wish I could waterproof it.

 

[jonnyknox]

So the He valve wouldn't be a problem? Is that just for show?

I'm also interested!

 

[ikiestik]

I'm also interested!

Me too as I took mine to a place, yes it failed 10atm but the machines led display read 0.47 when it failed. The first pam I got tested passed 10atm, same machine but it went to 1.0

I just want to know where the leak is most likely to be as ive greased the gaskets, added a thicker gasket on the crown. The only thing that could leak is the he but its stuck solid.

 

[R2D4]

Me too as I took mine to a place, yes it failed 10atm but the machines led display read 0.47 when it failed. The first pam I got tested passed 10atm, same machine but it went to 1.0

I just want to know where the leak is most likely to be as ive greased the gaskets, added a thicker gasket on the crown. The only thing that could leak is the he but its stuck solid.

This is the point that I am trying to make. A good outfit, will uncase your movement, grease the seals and test it. They will know exactly where it leaks. I have had mine in the Caribbean and a pool with little more than a case back tightening. If the testing guru didn't tighten and grease who knows.

The Helium valve can be epoxied very easily. Honestly, I bet any failures are from the crown as Smokie said or the case back/ crystal gasket. Seal those up and bring it back for testing.

 

[vama]

Hi,
I got mine pressure tested recently and it passed the 10 ATM test.
The watchsmith made some kind of epoxy mod at the He valve,greased the gaskets and tightened the caseback.
He said that the watch is very well built.The only problem he noticed is that the CG lever (when closed) doesn't touch the crown.It would be much better if the lever pressed the crown firmly against the case,but this can be modded also.

 

[2671]

Use a proper tool to tighten the case back the first thing you receive any watch from China. Mine are loose regardless models, from Rollies to PAMs...

 

[hurk]

I hear of people greasing their gaskets?

What kind of grease and is there a gasket that goes by the crown usually?

 

[ikiestik]

There should be a little rubber gasket in the crown and preferably a rubber washer under that gasket mine has both, one caseback gasket and there should also be at least one in the tube that the crown and stem sit in, mine has all of them and the cb is now tighter than when I received it using duct tape method.
My wr problem must be crystal gasket or he valve. The crystal is even all the way around so prob not that? How far should the crystal sut over the bezel? mine sits perfect all the way around, about 1mm above the bezel. This leaves the he valve which has a screw holding it but I loosened the screw and the he valve is stuck it will not move. Maybe I should just epoxy he and try pressure test again. Ftr my 243 had been in water shower/bath/handwashing many times but never swam with it. Also I have tried the hot water method to see if bubbles escape and nothing.

Forgot to add silicon grease is what you need