Difference between Waterproof Watches and Water Resistant
You’ve probably heard the terms water resistance and waterproof in relation to watches, but have you ever stopped to consider exactly what these terms mean? Although the two terms have completely different meanings, they are often used interchangeably. Simply put, a waterproof luxury replica watch can withstand contact for a certain period of time or under certain conditions, while a water-resistant watch is supposed to be theoretically impermeable to water.
But the reality is that no watch can guarantee permanent water resistance. Even the best diving watches on the planet, such as the replica Tag Heuer, are susceptible to the aging process and extreme conditions. It would be unreasonable to assume that a product made of physical materials would not somehow be influenced by the physical environment over time.
One of the main causes of failure in waterproof watches is the degradation of the seals designed to ensure a seam-free construction. This seal is usually made of a type of rubber or plastic that can be weakened or eroded in extreme heat or cold. There is one reason why it makes sense to have your watch serviced every few years to ensure that the seal is functioning as it should. All decent watchmakers will dry-pressure test your watch before returning it to you to make sure that you have peace of mind for at least a few more years.
Many of the tests performed at watchmakers are dry and static tests. What happens is that a large amount of external air pressure is applied to the watch and it is measured for leaks or deformation. If a watch passes a test of this nature, then it can be said to be water-resistant. However, in practical terms, this may not mean much.
As a result, few brand replica watches take the risk of naming their products “waterproof” – however, one notable exception is Rolex. Thanks to the provenance and performance of the Rolex Oyster case, true water resistance has been guaranteed to 100 meters and deeper since 1926. The first replica watch to do so was the Rolex Deepsea Special Edition, which accompanied Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Picard on their mission to the seabed in 1960. Rather than completing the journey on a human wrist, the recognizable Deep Sea Special was strapped to the exterior of their ship, the Bathyscaphe Trieste.
There are a few ways to express the depth tested by your fake watch. The most common unit of measurement is the meter. This is usually indicated by the letter “M”. Perhaps the second most common way to express the depth rating is by atmospheric pressure. The third way to express water resistance is “bar”. A bar is a unit of pressure, not a unit of depth. While this is often talked about among collectors and watchmakers, it is not often stamped on watch dials.