DIY Your Watch – How to waterproof your wristwatch using mod parts

Despite what you think about even the best and most renowned diver’s watch, watches are not legally allowed to call their watches “waterproof.” The term used for all watches that can withstand water is called “water-resistant.” This is because no watch can withstand being submerged in the water forever, and some are only able to function up to certain depths. Regardless of whether you wear Rolex’s cutting-edge Submariner or Deep Sea Diver, or Seiko’s SKX007 or any other brand of watch, the term “water-resistant” is the common denominator.

While waterproofing watches seem like a daunting task, it is something that can be done at home with some DIY skills and tools. So whether you a diver or someone who loves to shower with their watch on, there is no doubt that you will want your watch water-resistant. Although this is a common feature in many modern watches, keep an eye out for any hardware damages and see if it is time to replace gaskets, or even buy a new watch.

DIY Your Watch To Be Water-Resistant

Your watch will normally have an indicator on the maximum distance below the water it can handle before succumbing to the pressure. This is normally found on the dial or case back, wherein it says a number such as (x) meters water-resistant, or something similar in fashion.

Here’s what you will need to ensure that your watch is water-resistant:

• A watch gasket
• Silicone Oil
• Q-Tips
• Ultraviolet Epoxy

Optional tools include:

• Ultraviolet lights
• Tweezers
• Bergeon waterproof tester

Step 1: All watch modding starts by taking the watch apart. Remove the back and ensure the movement works, be it a mechanical one or a quartz movement. If it is working and in good condition, remove all hardware inside and place them on a clean and flat surface.

Step 2: After a few years, the gasket that keeps water and the elements out of the watch sometimes becomes hard and brittle, removing the watch’s water-resistant properties. Remove the gasket and rub it in silicone oil, but if it is too brittle and unsalvageable, replace it with a new one. With the newly lubricated gasket, twist the gasket into place using the watch’s own mechanism, or a pair of tweezers rather than forcing it in.

Step 3: Clean the back of the watch for any debris caused by a deteriorated gasket by using a q-tip dipped in oil. Clean the crown as well, and replace the crown if there is any damage, as this is another popular spot for water to enter. Inspect the crystal for any imperfections as well because these can cause leaks if not perfectly rounded and settled into the case.

Step 4: Apply a thin coat of ultraviolet epoxy around the edges of the crystal and the case to seal tiny imperfections and create an airtight seal. Let this dry at room temperature.

Step 5: Replace all hardware parts and seal the watch back, as well as clean up any excess epoxy residues.

Optional Step 6: Use a Bergeon Waterproof Tester to see if the watch is truly sealed and water-resistant. Watches are said to be resistant up to three bars and should be resistant at around four or five atmospheres in a Bergeon Tester.

Conclusion

After all of this work is done, it is best to test the watch using the Bergeon device. However, do note that depending on the caliber of the watch, it may or may not be worth messing around with DIY procedures. If you are unsure about your skill level or steadiness when it comes to mechanical repairs and upgrades, leave the job to a professional, or just buy a new watch if possible.

Crystaltimes USA provides replacement gaskets for your Seiko watch, as well as a healthy selection of Seiko mod parts to complete your DIY watch upgrade. Use our upgrade parts to give your timepiece a unique look and a personalized touch, as well as better functionality overall!