Can Playing Water Sports Damage Your Water-resistant Watch?
In this era of advanced technology where our digital gadgets have become an inseparable part of our body, sometimes people do not wish to depart from their wearables, such as their smartwatches, even when they’re in the water. This is where water-resistant watches come into play because they can withstand specific amounts of water, such as splashes while doing dishes or being drenched in the rain. But it is a matter of debate whether playing water sports can damage your water-resistant watch or not.
People have been conditioned to keep their watches out of the reach of water since the dawn of time since water is an unspoken enemy of watches. Yet, due to recent and new updates, watch owners are now less apprehensive about getting their watches wet. Nevertheless, everything has a limit and wearing your smartwatch while engaging in high-stress water sports might end up being detrimental to your watch over time.
Is It Recommended To Wear A Water-resistant Watch While Doing Water Sports?
It’s essential to realize that water-resistant smartwatches are not designed and produced to survive continuous, high-intensity blows. Wearing it for more extreme water sports, such as water skiing or surfing, is not recommended. Jumping into a pool or the ocean is no problem, however, if it is a matter of once in a while. A few times should be acceptable, but repeated high-velocity collisions may begin to weaken the watch’s water resistance, which might lead to its eventual collapse.
It’s advisable to be aware of your watch’s water resistance rating before exposing it to water. It should be noted that when watches are tested for “static pressure,” movement, for instance, tests are done based on arm motions done when swimming. The actual scenario might differ from the criteria of the test, which can eventually result in a significant change in the actual pressure. This is the reason why a watch should never be used close to the official depth rating.
Is Your Watch Waterproof?
Your smartwatch may be water-resistant but not waterproof. A thin line of difference between the two terms prevents these terms from being used interchangeably. Water-resistant means the watch can resist and withstand water to a certain degree, while waterproof means water can not penetrate inside the watch. But there are always exceptions.
The amount of pressure a watch can withstand and the likelihood that water will push past its rubber gasket and into the movement depends on several factors, including swimming, participating in water sports, and encountering salt water and hot steam. This is why you shouldn’t engage in water sports in shallow or swiftly flowing water while wearing your watch because water resistance is a temporary state that might deteriorate with time.
Water Resistance Testing of Watches
Although it mostly depends on one’s lifestyle, it is advised to get your watch examined at least once a year. For instance, someone who routinely surfs — entering and exiting salt water and sand — should get their watch tested a few times a year. Every component of the watch experiences significant corrosion and wear and tear from salt water in particular, which over time reduces the watch’s water resistance rating.
Although the movement is relatively small and fragile, the outside casing may appear to be sturdy and large. The only thing separating your watch and water is a tiny O-ring or gasket, which is often composed of silicon or rubber. Gaskets inside the case and the crystal serve as seals around the crown’s stem, pushers and correctors. They become less elastic and brittle with time, which makes it harder for them to create a tight seal. This indicates why water resistance testing at regular intervals is critical to ensuring a watch’s water resistance.