Patek Philippe Water Resistance Guide

Mark in Paris · 2017-07-30T14:49:00Z

Ensure your Patek Philippe is water-ready for summer. Mark in Paris details water resistance ratings, servicing, and crucial precautions for swimming and diving.

Mark in Paris

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

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Mark in Paris offers crucial advice on water resistance for luxury watches, particularly Patek Philippe, emphasizing the importance of understanding ratings before engaging in water activities. His timely reminder, bumped for summer, serves as a vital guide for collectors to protect their valuable timepieces from water damage.

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July 19, 2017: post bumped for this year as I imagine it is still useful

Best, Mark

____________________

Hi everyone,

Many of us, at least from the northern hemisphere, will have the opportunity to play in the water soon

As a rough reminder:

- The 30/50m water-resistance aren't made for swimming but only for allowing wetting the watch.

- To swim (not to dive) you'll need your Patek Philippe to be around the 120m mark to do it safely.

- To dive, you'll usually need it to be at a higher level: above 200m or even 300m depending on the activity.

You'll find on the net other more "optimistic" charts allowing for instance to swim with a 50m WR: this is something Patek doesn't recommend for their watches.

In any case, if you have a doubt or plan to make scuba-diving, jet-skiing etc... give a call to an official AD or a Salon to be sure.

The depth is not the only element to take into account. Indeed the depth is only the pressure the water applies on an object. But a hospipe, massage shower or any thrown water at higher speed also have an impact even if you're not in the water. Again, question of pressure when the water "presses" on the seals.

Of course, if you have pushers (chronographs etc...), don't activate them under the water.

If you have a screwed crown, check it isn't unscrewed, it happens... (but don't overtight it either!).

Furthermore, it is normally not necessary if you follow scrupulously Patek's guidelines concerning Servicing periods but, a few years after the last seal replacement was made, it is good to make a quick check, just to be sure the seals are ok. Go to your AD if you can and have a waterproof check. It doesn't take long and it is a good precaution.

Cheers, Mark

PS: the figures I mentionned are more about Patek Philippe watches and may depend on the brand, so do not hesitate to check on your brand's website or call you own AD.

Key Points from the Discussion

Patek Philippe recommends a 120m water resistance for safe swimming, and 200m-300m for diving, explicitly stating that 30m/50m ratings are only for wetting the watch, not swimming.
The force of water from activities like a hosepipe or massage shower can impact seals, even if not submerged, due to pressure, underscoring that depth isn't the only factor in water resistance.
It's critical not to activate pushers on chronographs underwater and to ensure screwed crowns are properly tightened, but not overtightened, to maintain water resistance.
A water-resistance check at an authorized dealer is recommended a few years after the last seal replacement, even if Patek's servicing guidelines are followed, as a good precaution.
For vintage watches, even diving models like Rolex Submariners (5513, 1680, 1665), swimming or diving is strongly discouraged, regardless of service history, due to risks of water ingress through the plexi and potential damage to dials and hands.
While some 30m/50m watches might survive swimming, brands remain cautious because most owners don't pay attention to seal wear or the delicate nature of mechanical watches, making such instances more luck than guaranteed resistance.

The Discussion

Chimaera

Jun 11, 2016

....be it chlorinated pool water or seawater do give your pride and joy a good Evian bath afterwards. Unless you want that "patina" look that is popular in some quarters!

Mark in Paris

Jun 11, 2016

It will be useful in that case too :p

Mark in Paris

Jun 11, 2016

Indeed, it is not the kind of patina we'll be looking for either.

Mark in Paris

Jun 11, 2016

I don't swim with my watches, even when they have the requested water-resistance. The explanation of 60m compared to the others' 120m would perhaps be because, as the watch is thinner than other Nautilus equipped with "correctors", the room for the seal is smaller. But this maybe just a rumor. I talked to a watchmaker from the brand, working at the manufacture, and he told me he didn't see why it was 60m only and that it was maybe a kind of misprint (I find that hard to believe though). In the d

Mark in Paris

Jun 11, 2016

In the mean time, I know a 5711A/1 owner who swims with his watch on in the sea every year, since a very long time. So no problem with that. Cheers, Mark

geross

Jun 11, 2016

Better be sure than sorry. Cheers. Geross.

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