Moisture protection of a watch: what you need to know about this parameter

Waterproof wristwatch: what you need to know about this parameter

Moisture protection is one of those parameters that can be seen in the description and characteristics of the wristwatch. Water resistance parameters for wristwatches, relevant today, are regulated by the international quality standard ISO, as well as the Bureau of Standards of the Swiss Watch Industry. And only those models that satisfy them will be treated as waterproof. All chronometers (we are talking about original products, not fakes), presented on the modern market, have protection from moisture, though to varying degrees.

So what parameters should you focus on? Is it worth buying a wristwatch for everyday wear with the highest level of protection from moisture or can you do basic models?

A bit of history

The first attempts to make the watch case sealed were made by watchmakers more than 2 centuries ago. Though initially it was not about protecting from moisture. The main enemy of the mechanism at that time was considered dust. To minimize its ingress into the case, watchmakers laid a special sealing tape between the upper and lower plates of the case. British wristwatches of the second half of the 18th century were protected from dust by a tightly closed lid. Models of the same period, produced in France and Switzerland, were made in a double-lid case.

These measures gave positive results, the dust really began to get inside the mechanism less, but from the influence of moisture they protected mediocre. Attention to how high humidity negatively affects the chronometer, watchmakers drew only towards the end of the 19th century. Several attempts were made, but they, alas, did not yield worthy results. So, one watchmaker installed a sealed valve on the winding shaft, but he did not pay due attention to the cracks between the glass and the case. In 1893, a patent was filed for a "sealed watch" with a monolithic case. And all would be well, if it were not for the holes made in it for the factory and adjustment. Here through them moisture also got into the mechanism so it was impossible to speak about tightness any more.

But the attempts of watchmakers to make watches waterproof did not stop. In 1897, gaskets were invented for the back cover, glass, adjusting button, winding shaft. The benefit of this discovery was not so much in the gaskets themselves as in determining the "critical" places through which moisture could seep into the housing.

And from that moment began the era of waterproof watches. Many attempts were made to seal the hull. The greatest successes were achieved by Hans Wilsdorf from Rolex and the Mido factory from bill. It was rolex that produced the first watch for deep diving.

The popularity of waterproof models among consumers increased significantly in the postwar period. They were associated with new discoveries, adventures, became an indicator of prestige, good taste. Further improved materials, technologies, but the idea of moisture protection has not undergone significant changes.

Water resistance of modern watches: choose the right model

The fact that your watch is protected from moisture is evidenced by the inscription on the back cover or dial. It could be:

WR,

WR 30,

WR 50,

WR 100,

WR 200, WR 300 and more.

WR is Water resist (protection from water), and the numbers next to the letters are the pressure in meters, which will withstand the body and will not let moisture inside.

Let's look at these indicators in more detail.

WR

This designation indicates that the case of the wristwatch is sealed. That is, during everyday wear, they will not get any dust particles or moisture. But such models can not be lowered into the water, put under the tap when washing hands. You should also avoid getting raindrops on the body.

WR 30

Such inscription testifies that hours on production were checked on the special device under pressure of 30 meters or 3 ATM. It is with this pressure that a drop of rain falls. Models marked WR 30 are also not suitable for swimming. They should not be lowered into the water. But here is splashes water from washing hands and rain breath they well survive.

WR 50

Theoretically, such wristwatches can withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter. That is, you can swim in them, but you can not dive. Protection of the case will be enough to protect the mechanism during a short immersion in water. But still, experts do not recommend the use of models marked WR 50 for sports and daily swimming.

WR 100

In the wristwatch with the inscription WR 100 you can swim as much as you want. But here is dive on greater depth (more 10 meters) cannot be.

WR 200, WR 300 and more

Models for professional divers. They are able to withstand scuba diving for up to 2 hours on average. Some manufacturers produce watches with a helium valve that equalizes the pressure inside the case when surfacing.

More details about the models of wrist accessories with different levels of moisture protection can be found in the catalog of the online store "best-Time". If you need professional advice or assistance in choosing, please contact the consultants or visit one of the retail offices of the network.