Comments:
Advice for removing moisture
My wife and I were just caught in an unexpected rainstorm while walking home from dinner, and my watch’s crystal (vintage 2573, 10-200 movement) is fogged with moisture. It’s still running normally as far as I can tell. I have placed it in a container of dry rice, but I’m wondering whether there are any better tips out there and to what extent damage from water exposure becomes irreparable. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Best,
RL
Usually this indicates that the watch isn't watertight, I have similar issues with some of my vintages, the best you can do is exactly as you've done, dry rice and an airtight container. If
you have a reputable watchmaker in your city that you've used before you could ask him to check the movement after some time. I wouldn't wear the watch for a bit (I usually wait 1-4 months), rust can usually pop up around the week to 2 month mark depending on the extent of the damage. Then if everything is fine and our watchmaker clears it, you can continue to wear it, if not he'll most likely do a cleaning of the movement and all the bells and whistles to get any rust that is there or appearing out. Oh and side note, on the dry rice I usually take the case off and put it in a separate airtight rice container, and the movement and dial in another one, gently laid on some non-abrasive paper or towel.
and I just remembered something, when I check my timepieces after a certain time I inspect the movement myself and see if there is any visible rust, then pictures to my local watchmaker and coming in if he deems it worthwhile.
Sometimes the crystals themselves just fog ie from rain outdoors that is cold to an interior environment that is warm. In this scenario no water reaches the movement and as long as it is air dried properly ie rice and airtight container, the movement will have a substantially less chance of rusting over.
Thank you, Rogi.
This is what I was looking for. I had already scheduled a visit to an AD and was considering a service by Patek as a baseline for my ownership (I’ve owned the watch for around 9 months). This probably bumps that date forward a little.
Your comment about temperature difference is insightful. My wife theorized that cold rain mixed with warm, humid air may be the culprit, and that, as you also mentioned, the movement may not be as affected as I’m worried it is. She appreciates your input, as do I.
Your comment about temperature difference is insightful. My wife theorized that cold rain mixed with warm, humid air may be the culprit, and that, as you also mentioned, the movement may not be as affected as I’m worried it is. She appreciates your input, as do I.
Similar Experience
I was wearing a Patek 1526 during the Fall and Winter while working in New York City. That particular watch had been built in 1949. I noticed the crystal fogging up when I would walk off the cold street into the place where I was working (which was warm). Of course I was VERY concerned seeing this fog appear on the crystal of my beautiful, vintage Patek Perpetual Calendar! I went to the Henri Stern Watch Agency as soon as I could, and was basically told to not worry about it. The watch was not waterproof and never had been waterproof. It was not even “Humidity Protected”. It is a vintage dress watch, and yes, that was liable to happen. They opened the watch, put it in a dryer for a short time and closed it up and handed it back to me. I was told to be careful wearing the watch in the rain. No swimming, and to enjoy the watch. That was about it. I still love that watch, but I no longer wear it “around town”. I use my 3940 or 3970 as “Daily Wearers” now. They are much better sealed, much more durable timepieces than my good’ol 1526 could ever be.
That’s an amazing story
Would of been freaking out on that model!!! I am surprised hswa said was normal!!
Sad seeing this, but here are some things to consider
There is some confusion even amongst watchmakers about how to treat moisture inside timepieces. Some are willing to dry out movements and just call it good, others would say it needs to have a complete service (service the movement, new dial, new hands, etc.). In some ways, it depends on how deep you want to address the presence of moisture and its potentially damaging effect on the watch.
Based on the amount of moisture I'm seeing and you can correct me on this, it looks like like actual drops inside the case around the edges, not just cloudiness or fog. From what I've been told via my last training, the best thing is to keep it sealed (crown in normal position, watch placed inside maybe a ziploc bag) and have it sent to the nearest Patek service center. If you heat up/dry the watch and then wait, it's going to speed up the corrosion or oxidization of various parts. If there's an independent watchmaker you trust, you can have he/she assess the level of moisture inside the watch.
I think it is better to open the case back. It is easy to open this watch with a pocket knife, with a little bit of feeling. Best Walter [nt]
No message body
100% share yr opinion ,rice is a great
sidedish but not much help in watchmaking.
These oldies are even not airtight so a good hairdier helps too.
These oldies are even not airtight so a good hairdier helps too.
Given the amount of moisture you have I would have the watch looked at and serviced if required by a good local independent watchmaker. Time is of the essence if you want to
prevent permanent corrosion and they can continue to carry on running for a while before becoming progressively worse. Acting quickly will prevent any high cost later.
I suggest you bring it to a good watch technician or the Patek service center.
My guess is its gaskets need to be replaced so thats why moisture set in the dial.
Good luck! 
Geross
Maybe it needs. Best to bring it Patek service center.
They will know what is best. My humble opinion and recommendation.
Update
Many thanks for the replies. I put the watch in dry rice in a sealed ziploc bag overnight (~8 hrs). Caseback on, crown in closed. This morning, as you can see in the attached pictures, the moisture under the crystal appears to have abated, and the watch still appears to be running normally. I’m leaving it as is for at least the remainder of today.
It’s hard to say how much is left inside without opening it. Which I have done before, but something I’m happy to leave to my local watch maker, whom I may visit later today.
Regards,
I think my next step is to contact the nearest Patek Philippe service center for instructions on how to forward it there as soon as possible.
Regards,
RL
Silica
Rice does the job, but silica gel even better - those little bags of “rocks” you find in electronics packaging. You can get some on the internet, or any photographic shop.
But that is “first aid” - strongly suggest a proper service. Most likely only a worn gasket but worth doing it properly to avoid more serious damage to movement or dial.
Enjoy it!
But that is “first aid” - strongly suggest a proper service. Most likely only a worn gasket but worth doing it properly to avoid more serious damage to movement or dial.
Enjoy it!
Put the crown in winding position. That way the moisture can get out.
Then take it to Patek service.
I would reiterate the advice given here- it needs a proper service from Patek or a competent watchmaker. No harm in getting an estimate from Patek. [nt]
No message body
Update: After about 53 weeks...
Patek Philippe Geneva completed service on my watch, and sent it back to me. It was worth the wait.
Feel free to post pictures of your watch out of the box... Especially when it is as nice as this one! [nt]
No message body
Yes!
Absolutely worth the wait. Thanks for your kind words, and to all who offered advice!