What time is it? Watches and horology

It’s not even the screw threads that make it waterproof, it’s the rubber seals. The screw down part is mostly to ensure that the crown can’t accidentally pull open in the water. Which is why it’s part of the ISO diver’s spec.

Rolex triplelock (or whatever it’s called) is better than twinlock mainly because it has a third seal.

I did not know that. #ubinregaled

Same thing with screw-down casebacks really. The screw thread doesn't really make the watch watertight, but it helps enable even pressure on the rubber gasket which is doing all the work. That's why old watches lose their water resistance despite still having functional crown/caseback threads, it's the gaskets deteriorating.

ie, not Ali Express

So, amazingly… CSB alert:

That Italian-brand, Swiss-made 2824-2 Stendardo diver had an amazing slim case. Case/crown/etc got damaged. Replaced with a chunkier Explorer case from AliExpress.

So, the TL/DR is, once I rebuilt it we pressure tested it at the watch shop and amazingly it held pressure fine and the machine said “OK”.

I expected it to fail, but the Explorer style case with screwdown crown was good.

Seals failing

This is also why when we used to do the battery replacements there was a little blue tub with an oily sponge inside. It was part of the process to rotate the caseback in the pot so the gasket was adequately lubed when closing.

I always called bullshit, until later working on other gasket-related projects (ie motorbike brakes) that it can help assembly massively.

Will pop this on ebay shortly, if anyone fancies this Tudor Smiley for £1800 give me a shout 👍

1 Attachment

Yeah, I have one of those for doing cheap battery swaps.

Speaking of waterproofness, thinking of a vintage quartz longines presence for the partner's birthday. Are they likely to be weatherproof enough to be practical for everyday use? Leather strap so not like she's going swimming with it, but may cycle in the rain with it or wash hands with it, etc.

Got my SARB serviced by WatchGuy – thanks for the recommendation. It was running waaaay out and was great to see all the dissassembled images as they were working on it. It's running ridiculously well now and feels like it was good value.

Also lol at Royal Mail for leaving it on my doorstep in full view all day in a part of London where people literally steal wheelchair ramps. Christ knows how it wasn't taken.

Passed this in a window today (first BB 39 GMT I’ve seen) so quickly checked it out. Didn’t like it at all. Looked and felt a bit cheap to me, but also the gilt colouring is really not my thing.

1 Attachment

Ooh. Looking forward to photos. I'm a 516 fan, though not in the market atm.

Yeah that looks shit

Thanks! The 516 is a beaut actually. Just need funds right now…!

2 Attachments

Yema quartz today

1 Attachment

Random thought. Does she have a dive computer? Might be a better dive specific gift. But, she would need to choose as it is a minefield of complexity.

Good question. I'm almost certain that she doesn't and just rents everything each time she goes. I'll try and subtly ask.

Suunto and Mares have some good options. Mikes Dive Store is our go-to - they are servicing my regs now. Lots of options on their website if you want an idea of costs, etc

dive computer

Excellent suggestion. Reminds me a number of divers told me in years past that they only use a watch-watch as backup if the computer fails, but the computer is the main source of truth when on a dive.

My mate had a rather large night out on friday, and woke up unable to find his speedmaster. He's obviously gutted and doing all he can to put feelers out.

One of the pubs wont pick up the phone, or reply to insta DMs. He's tried a pawn shop to ask them to note down the serial number and they cited GDPR as the reason they cant take the number. utter nonsense.

Retrace steps (including alcohol) to jog the memory

Maybe ask places he was in to look at their CCTV - may help establish where it was lost. Get them to review for him.

My mate had a rather large night out on friday, and woke up unable to
find his speedmaster. He's obviously gutted and doing all he can to
put feelers out.

It will sound obvious, but I assume he's checked in and around bed/ headboard/ behind bedside table/ couch/ anywhere you would flop down and haphazardly take a watch off when you come in the door pissed.

Feeling bad for the guy (it’s why I never carry what I can’t afford to lose).

Fingers crossed it’s just down the side of the bowl by the glass of water.

Asked his friends ?

It's fairly unlikely to just fall off, in this current climate there must be a chance an opportunist robbed it clean off his wrist without him knowing.