The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I ran my Chrono Avenger under the tap earlier as there was a smudge on the crystal that I was trying to rub off. After doing it I noticed that the dial looked a little less vibrant, almost cloudy like. About a minute later it went back to normal. I wasn't sure what happened so I ran it under the tap again quickly and the same thing happened.

Does this mean there is moisture inside my watch? It seems strange that it went back to normal so quickly afterwards. The watch was fully serviced by Breitling earlier this year and passed the pressure test fine. Since then I have worn it in the sea once (not diving) and cleaned it under the tap a handful of times.

Edit - I tried putting it under warm water and the fogging didn't occur. I then put it under the cold tap, it fogged up and then I switched the water to warm the fogging went away.

You've just demonstrated the magic of science.

Just like condensation on a window or a cold beer, the temperature gradient caused by using cold water created the moisture in the air inside the watch to condense on the underside of the crystal. As the crystal returned to 'normal' temperature the condensation went away.

Nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your reply. While I understand what you are saying I am still not convinced. Surely with a 300m water resistance rating this watch is capable of diving with. If I was diving and the crystal fogged up due to the cold water it wouldn't make it a very useful watch.

It's not the temperature, it's the temperature gradient - the outside surface of the crystal cooled down very quickly relative to the inside surface because you ran cold water on it, when diving the temperature cools down more slowly allowing the inside temperature to adjust. Water resistance is an irrelevant factor.

Oh ok. I understand now. Thanks again for your help.