The Breitling Watch Source Forums

"Do not shower with your Omega/Rolex because steam/soap will damage the seals"

While browsing through several watch forums I noticed several Omega and Rolex owners state that one should not be in a hot tub, jacuzzi, shower with the watch because steam and possibly aggressive kinds of soaps could damage the seals and compromise the Water Resistance rating. There seemed to be people who agree and others that didn't at all. But is this all just a myth spread by online communities or is there actual danger for the watch? I mean there are areas of the world were humidity (steam) is more present in the air than in one's hot tub.

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Get Your Body Perfect

The rapid and repeated change from a 'normal' environment to a high temperature / high humidity environment can easily damage seals and let water in to the watch.

This might technically be true if you're only talking about the air above a hot tub, but it's not the case if you're talking about submerging the watch in the hot tub. Repeatedly subjecting a watch to direct contact with hot, chlorinated water is going to be more taxing than simply wearing the watch in humid climates.

There was an interesting thread on WUS a couple of years ago with some good info that basically debunked the whole "heat" aspect of the discussion.

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-RJ

My watchmaker told me that it's a load of hooey. He said the temps that the average person showers in won't do anything and the soap thing is unlikely unless you are using a hydrochloric acid based soap. I read the thread you were talking about over at WUS and I had to ask him. If your watch can handle salt water, I don't think I'd worry too much. I've showered everyday for the 10 years I owned my old Citizen dive watch with nary a problem. That was before really getting into watches.

In any event, when your watch is exposed to salt water or chlorine it should be washed afterwards.

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Don

I've worn a 10 bar Citizen in hot tubs and showers for years, and my buddy's fiance owns a hot tub so we get in pretty frequently. I plan to do the same with my Breitling and, like the Citizen, have the gaskets replaced every year or three. Breitling's normal operating range is 0 to 50 degree Celsius which is 122 F...most hottubs are under 106. On a watch designed to withstand the (astronomical) pressure at a mile under the sea, I cannot see a hottub having adverse affects on it.

The highlighted bit is the key - same with salt water. The issue is not with the watch, the issue is with moisture getting into the watch, generally through failed seals.

I should also add that when I get out of the hottub, I rinse the heck out of the watch with freshwater (same when in saltwater). From what I have read, gasket technology has come a long way from rubber to durable silicone and polyurethane, and it sounds like whatever they use in the Breitling that they hold up a long time.

I'm no means an authority but modern day dive watches can take changes in environment better than their vintage counter parts. With depth ratings from 100m to 2000m, new gasket technology and tricky ways to prevent all sort of damages your high quality watch should hold up. Of course if you open up the watch, damage it, have unrealistic habits or the occasion factory defect the watch should be okay for every day use. I worn my Superocean Stealfish for couple of years with out a problem. it's been diving in the Great Barrier Reef to sky diving and to my most exciting task of washing the dishes. Buy the watch for what you intend to use it for and enjoy yourself.

I can't think of a situation where I would even want to shower with any kind of watch on.............Swimming and sailing maybe but for my bath and shower the lings come off.

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

Agreed.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

My watch stays on the wrist 24/7.

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Don

Ive worn my Tissot Couturier Automatic in the ocean, hot tub, lake, river, pool, shower you name it, without a single problem.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial