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| Bit of an odd question | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 07:14 pm |
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1st Post |
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ElectroSoldier 3T WIS
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I know the way wrist watches are tested and clasified when testing for water resistance but I was at work talking to the guys and we got to talking about some of my watches and the depth pressure rating. The watch I was wearing at the time was rated at 3ATM, which as far as I am aware is equal to 3 atmospheric pressures. Where I work we use dry lay-up, resin infusion, and the conversation lead to somebody saying about puttiing my watch in the vacuum to "test" it out. Now of course I know 3ATM is rather low in the world of watches but the reason I didnt decide to take the chance and try it out is because Im not sure if subjecting a watch to a vacuum is the same as subjecting it to the pressures of water submersion. Do any of you guys know if a wrist watch with a 3ATM rating can survive in a vacuum? Its not a total vacuum, we go down to about 40 millibar, but 30 to 25 might be possible] Any thoughts would be welcome, the guys at work have a small wager on it, as to wether a watch can survive in the vac.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 07:53 pm |
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2nd Post |
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KenC Admin 
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Not being a physicist or engineer...hell, I don't even play one on TV...I'm really not sure, but it would seem to me that being in a vacuum and being under external water pressure are opposite ends of the pole. Too me, high water pressure would cause the watch to implode (leak) from the outside in. Creating a vacuum around the watch would cause the pressure within the sealed area to expand and "explode" from the inside out! Damn...this is starting to hurt my head.............. 
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 07:56 pm |
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3rd Post |
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ElectroSoldier 3T WIS
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Yeah thats what I thought too. something in water implodes, something in a vacuum explodes.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 10:01 pm |
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4th Post |
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scottran 3T WIS 
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I would say that the pressure inside the watch would be atmospheric when assembled. If put in a vacuum that pressure would find the path of least resistance i.e. the crystal popping out?
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 10:32 pm |
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5th Post |
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romano 3T WIS 
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Or out the crown seal or the case back whatever is the weakest point. If your really lucky it might take out the crystal and require a new o ring on the crown. :)
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21st, 2009 11:49 pm |
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6th Post |
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scottran 3T WIS
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Unless your watch has an automatic helium release valve, then you would be ok. I would think it would be the same effect.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2009 05:18 am |
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7th Post |
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ElectroSoldier 3T WIS
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Cheers guys, confirms my thoughts on it all
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| Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2009 02:38 pm |
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8th Post |
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Upside 3T WIS 
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Hang on just a moment, I would think that a crystal popping would only be the case if there was an extremely sudden drop in pressure. IF the vacuum is applied gradually then I agree I would think the atmosphere within the watch would leak out where it could and eventually equalize or rather become a vacuum as well. My guess would be the crown would be the weakest point or caseback if it just snaps closed. I would guess that the tough part would be afterwards. if the seal holds and a vacuum is maintained in the watch then you'd have a heck of a time getting into it later. At 3ATM I doubt this would happen though. I reckon worst case would be having some of the lubrication leak out as the vacuum is being applied or after the test possibly getting moisture into the watch as it tries to re-equalize pressure and take air into it. Just my .02 and now I'm curious 
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| Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2009 02:49 pm |
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9th Post |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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It would really depend on just how the watch is built. As stated if the vacuum was gradually produced you might be OK unless the watch has a weakness. A sudden vacuum though could be a issue and if the watch has a snap-on case back I'd guess that would give first. But if it has a screw down crown and case back then likely the crystal would fail. I would love to see test done just to see what would happen to various types of watch designs. I know Omega, Seiko and Volmax have built some watches to stand up to a vacuum environment like outer space.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23rd, 2009 06:31 am |
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10th Post |
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ElectroSoldier 3T WIS
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The way we do it at work, the vac is applied and the drop is gradual, it never gets down as low as -1ATM. I dont know of any way outside of a lab to make a total vac instantaniously, its not easy to get a total vac at all. Any ideas what watches are designed to survive a total vacuum?
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