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Vintage watches crystal condensation

RyanGreerMcGilloway
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RyanGreerMcGilloway Watch Enthusiast

RyanGreerMcGilloway

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Hi all I have a ANCRE divers watch here and I’ve noticed that sometimes the face condensates and I wonder why. The back cannot be any tighter, the crystal is tension ring fitted and I’ve stuck an o ring I had lying around in the crown.

 

can somebody please advise. I have this issues with a few other watches, another is a 90s seiko 7002.  

57C093C9-3A78-4EDC-921E-C1B83A1A2256.png

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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There was humidity at the time it has been cased. Open it and dry the case and crystal well with an hairdryer. After closing with new gaskets touched by silicone grease on them, test it warming the whole and placing two drops on cold water on the crystal. That won't however replace a proper pressure test.

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nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

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We were taught in school that even in a 99% humid environment, there isn't enough air in a sealed case to actually condense. In recent years I've seen it proven, on paper at least,  that some watches in some cases can show some (like a tiny bit) of condensation. But basically, if there is clearly visible condensation there has been an influx of water (or improperly dried case after cleaning as above).

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Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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Depends on whether the case is water tight.

Do you have a pressure testing machine?

The Swiss ones are hideously expensive, but the Chinese ones are quite reasonably price and actually good quality.

 

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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2 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

We were taught in school that even in a 99% humid environment, there isn't enough air in a sealed case to actually condense.

Could be. What can also happen is I that one has washed casing parts but didn't dry them well enough before re-assembly.

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