Frosted watch glass: what to do

Frosted watch glass: what to do

Quite often, owners of watches face the problem of fogging of glass from the inside. A similar problem manifests itself in many models, regardless of the brand that produces these products, build quality and components. Is it worth worrying about this? Consider the main reasons leading to fogging on the inner surface of the glass, as well as the simplest and most effective ways to solve this problem.

Why does glass sweat?

Inside the watch case there is air that gets there at the time of assembly of the mechanism. The only exceptions are models intended for deep-sea diving; they are filled either with oil or other liquids. The air has a certain humidity and has the ability to condense on contact with a cold surface (as the temperature drops to the so-called dew point), as a result of which vapor deposition is observed on it.

If you go outside with your watch in the cold season, the glass will cool quickly enough, but the back cover will remain warm, because your hand warms it. It turns out that the air inside the hull is heated on one side, and cooled on the other. As a result, moisture is released and deposited on the glass.

That is, if glass misting occurs only during the cold season, this is not evidence of moisture ingress into the case, the presence of defects or any other defect. Conduct an experiment: remove the clock from the hand in the cold, and you will see that as soon as the body cools evenly, the fogging will disappear. Much faster this process will take place in a warm room.

How to remove misting on your own?

You can get rid of this problem yourself, it will be enough just to perform a series of consecutive actions:

1. Open the watch case by removing the back cover. Please note: in models with moisture protection, there is a special gasket. Perform work so as not to damage or crush it.

2. Carefully inspect the mechanism itself, making sure that there is no moisture inside.

3. Place the clock near the heat source for 1-2 days. This may be a battery heater. If you can not wait a few days, use a hairdryer.

4. For the period when the housing is open, it is not recommended to open the windows, turn on the humidifiers: the humidity in the room should be as low as possible. Themselves watch should be covered with a clean cloth to prevent dust from entering.

5. After drying is completed, make sure that the sealing ring is properly positioned and the housing is closed.

It should be understood that non-compliance with these recommendations is fraught with a deterioration of the situation. Fogging can only intensify, and the dial and mechanism will become dirty with dust, which will cause problems in subsequent work. If you are not sure that you can do everything correctly, think about the advisability of contacting a specialist for professional help.

Cause for concern

If this process takes place only when you leave a warm room in the cold, you should not worry. A cause for concern is the appearance of perspiration on the inner surface of the glass at comfortable positive temperatures.

It should be understood that the presence of moisture inside the case adversely affects the reliability and durability of the watch service. In quartz models, condensate can cause the electronic indicator to fail. If water is inside a mechanical watch, it will cause corrosion of metal elements (gears, slow motion parts, etc.). Just a week of such a negative impact, and quartz board rot through, and the details rust.

Significantly, this process complicates and accelerates the entry of seawater, not fresh water, into the body. As a result, you will be forced to throw your favorite watches in the trash.

What to do if water gets into the case?

Careful drying is an indispensable procedure to which a watch that has fallen into the water must undergo. Starting work is to remove the cover. Drying is recommended to perform in a dry and clean room, it is important not only to remove moisture from the body, but also not to run inside the dust, which will adversely affect the subsequent operation of the mechanism. Care should be taken when using a fan. Air streams will pick up the dust, which will settle on the inner surfaces of the clock. It is also recommended to treat all internal mechanisms with medical alcohol, which will not only remove impurities, but also provide corrosion protection in the future.

If you work with a quartz clock, you will need to remove the battery beforehand. Next, you just have to close the lid, making sure the integrity of the gaskets.

In the event that sea water gets inside the case, before drying begins, it is necessary to rinse all the insides with clean fresh water. Even the smallest particles of salt can disrupt the lubrication process, which will cause problems with work and premature failure of the clock.

Self-drying is a painstaking process. It should be understood that, opening the case, you assume all responsibility for the subsequent fate of the watch. The factory warranty, if any, is removed. If the cause of fogging is not a temperature differential, the enclosure may be damaged. Identify and fix these problems will only help professional diagnostics. An experienced master, who has specialized equipment and equipment at his disposal, is able to establish the place of moisture penetration, dry the mechanism, change the gasket if necessary, and carry out a number of measures capable of ensuring absolute tightness of the case. And remember: the earlier you resort to the help of a specialist, the less damage to the mechanism will be caused by moisture that gets inside the case.