How deep could I safely dive to without risking damage to my Rolex Explorer? It is rated at 100 meters and as an open water diver I am limited to 18 meters which is deep enough for me. I have seen it posted elsewhere at a 100 meter rated watch should only be used for snorkling which I would say is only about 5 meters, what is the reality?
Mark Manley
You could easily dive to 130 metres and probably beyond. Jump in and enjoy the water!
At recreational depths ALL Rolex oysters will go way beyond what you can.
At recreational depths ALL Rolex oysters will go way beyond what you can.
I would trust Rolex's 100m rating then any other brand's 200m rating. Rolex tests all their watches (except Cellini - I think...?) up to 25% over the rated depth. So if it says 100m on the dial, you can rest assured that it is 100m water proof, not water resistant.
Here's a quick side by side comparison of Rolex 100m vs an Omega 300m WR. Notice the text, Rolex says water proof while Omega says water resistant.
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Here is an article from WIRED about the Rolex test. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/rolex-dive-watch-testing
Here's a quick side by side comparison of Rolex 100m vs an Omega 300m WR. Notice the text, Rolex says water proof while Omega says water resistant.
Here is an article from WIRED about the Rolex test. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/rolex-dive-watch-testing
From what I've been told the difference between water proof and resistance is that the former will keep on ticking (accurately) even if the case is filled with water.
This is my sister's YM, she is a dive instructor and had been diving with this watch for more than 20 years (as a backup to her computer), never serviced it, wore it even during trimix dives, and the watch is still ticking. She refuses to have it serviced, it's a superstition thingy.
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Thanks to everyone for your replies and good humour, it would seem the answer is yes for a good condition, properly serviced Rolex and probably not for other brands. I am not sure that I will even get to snorkel this summer but we can only hope for a timely end to the current crisis and I wish you all good health.
There is a lot of smoke and mirrors with WR from various manufacturers, with some saying 50m is only good enough for showering whilst others say it is good enough to swim with, each seems to have their own take on it and most spin it to their advantage, the good thing about Rolex WR ratings is that they are accurate, and as others mention on here provide an upper 25% margin.
I think Seiko also are trusted with their WR.
I think Seiko also are trusted with their WR.
Yep Seiko divers are also top notch. Never had one leak either. skx007, Tuna (gold and 015) MM300.
Rolex wr are accurate
Omegas wr are accurate
Seiko are a guideline, they will in fact go ten times deeper than they say
Omegas wr are accurate
Seiko are a guideline, they will in fact go ten times deeper than they say
Unlike many watch companies, Rolex guarantees the watch to be waterproof to the depth it is rated at. You can dive as deep as you like with an Explorer as long as the crown is properly screwed down.
The water resistance ratings are based on laboratory or production line test.
It's done at room temperature, motionless, and for a fixed period of time. ISO
standards require all watches be tested. Those that do not have the ISO rating
typically have only a sample tested although Rolex tests them all.
This being said, it's not true to say that a watch certified for a certain depth
will be safe some months later after a temperature drop from the surface
to that depth.
Some watch shops will pressure test a watch. If you think about it, this wouldn't
be necessary if watches maintained their rating between services.
I've got the Seamaster SMP that is rated to 300 meters. I usually take it off before
swimming. I've never had a problem with it. I did have a Submariner serviced after
it had water inside the crystal after swimming.
My thought is that if you don't need to wear the watch in the water it's better not to.
My Seamaster looks great in the Beach Bar and on the cruise ship.
It's done at room temperature, motionless, and for a fixed period of time. ISO
standards require all watches be tested. Those that do not have the ISO rating
typically have only a sample tested although Rolex tests them all.
This being said, it's not true to say that a watch certified for a certain depth
will be safe some months later after a temperature drop from the surface
to that depth.
Some watch shops will pressure test a watch. If you think about it, this wouldn't
be necessary if watches maintained their rating between services.
I've got the Seamaster SMP that is rated to 300 meters. I usually take it off before
swimming. I've never had a problem with it. I did have a Submariner serviced after
it had water inside the crystal after swimming.
My thought is that if you don't need to wear the watch in the water it's better not to.
My Seamaster looks great in the Beach Bar and on the cruise ship.
A/ why would you have a problem with th Omega if it never sees water
B/ need context with regard to the Sub' maybe you should have had it serviced before going swimming. When was it serviced prior to leaking, was it pressure tested every year? Etc etc
Nothing wrong with just wanting people to look at your watch if that's what you're in to but why is it better not to go in the water with it? They are diving watches, designed to operate in the water. I personally don't get this way of thinking.
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