Does any one make a rep which is waterproof to the levels of the gems? Seems like David tests to 3 ATM (30feet?) but not to 300mt ...
Looking for one, preferably in Ti ...
Looking for one, preferably in Ti ...
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Waterproofing?
- Thread starter jaclarkaus
- Start date
Would you trust it if they told you they did?
AFAIK, no one tests any PAMs to that depth. You can always have waterproofing/testing done after you get the watch. This would just require adding some more (or better) gaskets, having them properly greased and then having it tested. 100m would be plenty for almost any recreational diving, let alone swimming.
AFAIK, no one tests any PAMs to that depth. You can always have waterproofing/testing done after you get the watch. This would just require adding some more (or better) gaskets, having them properly greased and then having it tested. 100m would be plenty for almost any recreational diving, let alone swimming.
I guess the question is more along the line of they try to get them to look genuine (and getting better) but do they try to get them working genuine?
This covers how accurate and how does it perform (including waterproofing and scratch resistance, etc.)
If the original is good for 300 meters (wouldn't it need a screw crown at least for that), how good are the reps really?
This covers how accurate and how does it perform (including waterproofing and scratch resistance, etc.)
If the original is good for 300 meters (wouldn't it need a screw crown at least for that), how good are the reps really?
The reps that are currently available are as good as they have ever been. However the emphasis is on looks. Some of the new ones are more waterproof than most, but other than swimming, showering or hand washing, I think a rep is a poor choice. If you are diving and actually one of the people that does not use a computer, you should not be risking your health and or safety on a Chinese rep. If you need gen performance use a gen. I have been diving, sport and commercially, for many years, buy a Seiko and dive with it. When you get out of the water and are working the club, wear your rep.
The newest SFSO reps are supposed to be waterproof to 1000ft but who knows. Would be interesting to have someone pressure test one and see how deep its good for realisticly. I think 30m is more than enough for the average person.
dizz
dizz
brtelec said:
Even if I had a gen Sub, SFSO, Seamaster or whatever I'd dive with the Seiko and a computer. IMHO, (I am certified but brtelec is definately our expert) I just would not dive w/o a computer. It just takes the human element out of computing time at depth, etc. You would still plan your dive, but just about every decent dive operation has computers available for those who don't dive enough to purchase equipment. Plus:
#1- Its just as good from a reliability standpoint
#2- If something does go wrong I'm out $300, not $3000.
Dive with a rep? No way! I will swim with a couple of them but try to wear the Seiko for even that (esp now that I've got a monster).
Yes, I always dive watch, but again, the question was along the line of how waterproof are the reps really? Waterproofing is the bit you can't see ...
jaclarkaus said:
Absolutely correct, and as such, get's very little attention in 99% of the watches. As L-dizzle said, the SFSO is *supposed* to be waterproof to 1000m, but who knows? I think RBJ was going to pressure test one, but even then, I don't think his equipment went past 300m.
I would be surprised if any of the PAM reps went past 50m or so without additional work. Although, I have no idea and am not brave enough to try and push the limits. If I want to swim with a watch, I'll wear my Tissot Seastar 1000 or my Orange Monster.
jaclarkaus said:
FWIW....3atm = 100ft=30m.
Also conventional testers only have capacities to around 330ft or 660 ft.
It would be a very upmarket watchsmith, who would have the gear to test beyod this.
More likely an AD for dive watches!
Offshore
There are very few replicas i could trust for swimming. I have tested the BR. SF i bought recently from P.C. and drove the machine to its limits, 300m (30 bars) + though i can't certify the 1000m promissed i think that is more than enough. I also trust a Rolex explorer i bought from Watchmeker9 tested 120m safe. I have bought 3 Panerais from DVSN whom i asked to waterproof them. He insists that they don't need any further improovement because they are tested 30m. I have my objections on that argument. 3bars prassure under test circumstances is totaly different than real life. You might be safe beleiving that you are no going to dive that far but when you jump into the see for example the pressure is far superior than 3bars. Even when you move your hand under water the pressure is not 1bar because you are no diving. So forget about swimming with replicas tested in 30m, it is a risk you take for no reason. Sometimes we have good and bad surprises! Having a good friend jeweler i have the facility to test watches without any cost. So i have tested most of my replicas. I was very surprised to find out that a cheap Sub i had bought long time ago from watch Cartel!!! was found safe in 100m! (that guy is able for the best and the worst - i bought from him the best Panerai i own with perfect dial, case, lume and crown but on the other side he forgot to post some pieces and he also posted some rubbish) Bad surprise with some expencive replicas that they should be at least decent in that aspect, they don't offer any safety not even to wash your hands. The most vulnerable replicas are those with chrono buttons- even the most expencive ones- so be careful. That is for history. In fact you better avoid to swimm with a replica. Personaly i go to the sea either with a military KHS H3 lume 200m proofed or a BALL Ingenieur 300m proofed excelent watch. But there are very cheap watches in the market safe for diving like the Seiko, Suudo ....you can use any for the sea and then you can change to your favorite replica to go to the club!
hooligan said:
I've tested 2 of my DSN PAMs and both were as stated: 3 ATM. No more than that. However, when you said it was all about good gaskets and proper oiling, it's very hard to obtain those. At least in my country, since there isn't even an PAM AD.
If anyone had access to this kind of spare parts, it be an interesting mod to do to PAMs.
Cheers!
DSN PAMS are 3atm waterproof. I have made a discusion with him about it and he seams sure that is safe enough to swimm with it. I don't agree. It is o.k to make you feel secure to have a shower or perhaps to swimm in a swimming pool, but under real circumstances of swimming the pressure that the watch receives (jumping for example into the sea) is far superior than the depth of the 2 meters will go. Just moving your hand under water is receiving a certain presure you can't calculate. Real life is different than laboratory conditions and 2m is not equivalent of 2 atm nessesarily. In the laboratory the watch is static and is receiving a permanent calculated pressure. IN real life that varies. Personaly i would not swimm with a watch that is no tested for 5 atm at least.pete2528ca said:
Pressure is pressure & I work with pressure ranging from 100 psi to 10000 psi which converts to 6.8 ATM to 680 ATM or approx. 68m to 6800m or approx 223 ft to 22,304 ft.
3 ATM = approx 30 Meters = approx 98 ft. Just moving your arms for swimming purpose DOES NOT change the pressure on the watch or your body under water (it is the depth and temperature of the water). The thing that can effect the pressure and it's effect underwater is temperature, hence the hot tub or heated pool can have more of an effect on your watch's waterproof capability than simply sea water swimming. The added issue with hot tubs and heated pools etc. is that the effect of heat on metal of the case and the rubber gaskets is not the same, that is, one may expand more than the other.
Other than that if your watch tests good for 30 meters than it is good for 30 meters (of-course hot water will reduce the rated depth), ofcourse you have to have it tested. Also common sense will prevail that, you have to make sure that the screw down crown is screwed on tight or the CG lever is seated all the way down, before you make the leap of faith.
Finally the margin of safety per standard enginering design is 1.5. That means all good quality recognised watch manufacruters rate conservative. wheather it is a swatch rated at 30 meters, or Anonimo professionale at 2000 meters. Of-course this does not apply to replicas, so simply have them tested before water sports. If the machined surfaces are nice and smooth and gaskets are good, than the watch will be water resistant to the tested depth/pressure.
Carpe Diem
3 ATM = approx 30 Meters = approx 98 ft. Just moving your arms for swimming purpose DOES NOT change the pressure on the watch or your body under water (it is the depth and temperature of the water). The thing that can effect the pressure and it's effect underwater is temperature, hence the hot tub or heated pool can have more of an effect on your watch's waterproof capability than simply sea water swimming. The added issue with hot tubs and heated pools etc. is that the effect of heat on metal of the case and the rubber gaskets is not the same, that is, one may expand more than the other.
Other than that if your watch tests good for 30 meters than it is good for 30 meters (of-course hot water will reduce the rated depth), ofcourse you have to have it tested. Also common sense will prevail that, you have to make sure that the screw down crown is screwed on tight or the CG lever is seated all the way down, before you make the leap of faith.
Finally the margin of safety per standard enginering design is 1.5. That means all good quality recognised watch manufacruters rate conservative. wheather it is a swatch rated at 30 meters, or Anonimo professionale at 2000 meters. Of-course this does not apply to replicas, so simply have them tested before water sports. If the machined surfaces are nice and smooth and gaskets are good, than the watch will be water resistant to the tested depth/pressure.
Carpe Diem
hooligan said:
I picked up 2 SFSO's last summer ( one to test and one to wear..if the tester blew up ) The tester did just fine at 120ft. for over 30 min.....and has become my swim "club" watch.. But I agree with the other members...don't rely on a rep for ever...even when I was testing the SFSO...I had my gen sub on my other wrist with my computer. Similar with those looking for rep sunglasses (Oakleys)....when it comes to safety...eyes or lives....spend the money!