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watch gasket question

Seiko97
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Seiko97 Member

Seiko97

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Hey guys I know this may be a silly question, but I have a question regarding watch gaskets. I have a Seiko Solar Chronograph that I have had for three years now and I use it for some rough work like plumbing, yard work, and anything that involves being hands on. I was wondering if three year old seals will still be ok or if I should be looking into replacing them now or in a year or so. What do you guys think? 

bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
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Only way to tell is checking the actual gasket. If it is still flexible and not deformed, a coat of silicon grease and back in the watch would be enough. Now, they are not expensive and I normally put new ones regardless when I service a watch. BTW, 3 years might still be ok but it all depends on many factors so if in doubt just check it and/or replace it. Normal use would be check after about 5 years...I do every 2 when in the watches I dive or fish with, and even less if I suspect anything or have a slight doubt...but then there is the machine to test for water resistance....

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Seiko97 Member

Seiko97

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Thanks lads. I put silicon grease on the gasket about a year ago so I think I should be good then. I wore the watch for a swim a couple of months ago and I was wearing it today thinking about the seals. Maybe I will change the seals next year. 

rogart63 Distinguished Member

rogart63

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2 hours ago, Seiko97 said:

Thanks lads. I put silicon grease on the gasket about a year ago so I think I should be good then. I wore the watch for a swim a couple of months ago and I was wearing it today thinking about the seals. Maybe I will change the seals next year. 

Go to a watchmaker and have it pressure tested? Then you can have some relief. And you don't have to think about it for some time? 

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Seiko97 Member

Seiko97

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My problem is that I don't have any good watchmakers here. Most just do battery swaps. I payed  to have a watch serviced and the the watchmaker didn't even open the watch. So unfortunately I am left with myself to do the job. 

Edited by Seiko97
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

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Excellent Seiko! Being one's own watchmaker is the best thing ever...apart from the learning curve of course. I bet you will feel much better with the job you know you did.

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Seiko97 Member

Seiko97

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Yes I actually love the feeling of doing my own work. My great grandfather was a watchmaker and I can't help but think that my interest in watches was coincidental, it had to have been hereditary :thumbsu:

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Endeavor Distinguished Member

Endeavor

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My two cents;

If you, everytime you go for a swim or are near water, have to think/worry about the gasket, why not (if they, like Bob said, aren't expensive) just change it out?

How much is your "peace of mind" worth?

 

jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, Endeavor said:

If you, everytime you go for a swim or are near water, have to think/worry about the gasket, why not (if they, like Bob said, aren't expensive) just change it out?

How much is your "peace of mind" worth?

Because the original Seiko gaskets are made of and excellent material and will many years. Add that the original (which is always better than the generic) are difficult  to order for an individual, and can be quite expensive, at least euro 15 when including the stem gasket. So one goes swimming, and later see that no condensations, that should be enough to be relax about it.  

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      isn't it nice to have a decent case open or when the case doesn't want to be opened? In the case of a Rolex watch that supposed to pass specific water resistant testing you probably do need to tighten the back down. But they shouldn't be tightened so much that they risk stripping the threads out. Then the other problem that comes up is the gaskets can start to disintegrate and then getting the back off can be quite a challenge unless you have a really good tool and perhaps some penetrating oil to loosen things up. Yes really nice case marking. When I was in school we were taught to mark the cases and  the American watch and clockmakers Institute even had a? So if you joined at one time they would give you an identification number. They were explaining or giving an example of if the watches ever found in you have a unique number they can perhaps figure out the history of the watch or identify the body it's attached to for instance not that that probably comes up that often. So you got a unique number and even made a special metal stamp that you can purchase. It wasn't a super big aggressive stamp but still it left a mark in the back of the case. Then I heard from people at work on Rolex watches they were using a felt pen indelible but later on they decided that was bad because apparently the ink could release  chemicals although it seems like once it's dry that shouldn't be an issue. Then of course today was nice is you can keep computer records sealed have to mark anything at all I personally find it's best to leave no reference behind that you were even there. Especially when you have a beautiful watch that has no markings at all and now it has your scribbling all over it not good typically if there is a typical and watch repair?  a lot of minor repairs you don't need to do a complete servicing. But beyond a certain point you're going to have to take apart a lot of stuff you're going to disrupt the lubrication even if it looks perfect right now and yes you might as well just go ahead the service the whole thing. also in a watch like this where a lot of things seem to be going on the complete service would be better then you'll know exactly where you stand versus dealing with unknown mysteries for prior repair.
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