Watch Water Damaged or Foggy? Emergency Repair Service in Hong Kong Act Within the Critical Window to Prevent Permanent Movement Damage
A True Emergency: Moisture is the #1 Enemy of a Precision Watch Movement.
If you notice condensation, fog, or visible water droplets under the crystal of your watch, you must act immediately! This is not a minor issue; it is a critical alert that catastrophic corrosion could be starting inside the movement. Saltwater and other chemical liquids are especially corrosive and can cause irreversible, permanent damage to the movement in a matter of days.
Time is of the essence. At RG Watch Repair Center, we have established an emergency protocol for water-damaged watches. We provide immediate case opening, professional drying, and expert diagnostics to act within the critical rescue window, maximizing the chances of saving your timepiece from severe damage.
What To Do Before Sending for Repair: These Steps Can Save Your Watch
Before you contact us, taking the correct emergency measures can significantly reduce the extent of damage to the movement.
Three Things You Must Do Immediately (Do's):
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Pull Out the Crown Immediately: Pull the crown (the time-setting knob) all the way out to the time-setting position. This action stops the movement from running and can provide a small channel for moisture to escape.
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Place the Watch Face Down: Lay the watch with its crystal (glass) facing down and the case back facing up on a dry, soft cloth. This helps prevent water from settling directly on the dial and hands, reducing the risk of water stains or oxidation spots.
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Contact Us As Soon As Possible: Call or WhatsApp us immediately to inform us of the situation. We will provide professional guidance on the next steps and schedule an emergency service appointment for you.
Two Things You Must NEVER Do (Don'ts):
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NEVER Use a Hairdryer or Open Flame to Dry the Watch: High heat will cause the water-resistance gaskets to rapidly age and deform. Worse, it will trap the hot moisture inside the case, dramatically accelerating the oxidation and corrosion of movement components.
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NEVER Place the Watch in Rice or with Desiccant Packets: This common myth is ineffective for the sealed interior of a watch case. Attempting this will only waste precious time and allow the damage to become far more severe.
Why We Emphasize "Emergency"
Once moisture penetrates the case, a series of chain reactions begins inside the movement: Contact Us
1. Rapid Component Corrosion
When exposed to moisture and oxygen, the steel components within the movement (such as gears, screws, and pivots) will begin to rust very quickly. This corrosion can impede their function or cause them to seize completely.
2. Lubricant Emulsification and Breakdown
The specialized lubricants that ensure the movement's smooth operation will emulsify upon contact with water. This destroys their lubricating properties, which dramatically accelerates the wear and tear on all moving parts.
3. Dial and Hand Damage
Moisture can cause the lacquer on the dial to bubble, discolor, or peel, and can create permanent oxidation spots on the hands. Repairing this type of cosmetic damage is often complex and extremely costly.
Our Five-Step Process to Eradicate Water Damage
We follow a standardized emergency protocol to ensure moisture is completely eliminated and all potential damage is assessed and repaired. Contact Us
1. Emergency Case Opening & Professional Drying
Upon receiving your watch, we immediately open the case back, remove the movement, and place it in professional, temperature-controlled drying equipment to gently and safely remove all traces of moisture.
2. Detailed Movement Condition Assessment
Once dry, our master watchmaker meticulously inspects every component of the movement under a high-magnification microscope to assess the extent of any corrosion and the condition of the lubricants.
3. Component De-rusting & Complete Overhaul
For minor surface rust, we can perform a professional de-rusting treatment. However, to guarantee the long-term health of the watch, a "Complete Service and Overhaul" is strongly recommended after any water intrusion. This is the only way to replace all emulsified lubricants and ensure every component is perfectly clean.
4. Full Water-Resistance Gasket Replacement
Regardless of the cause of the water intrusion, we will replace the full set of water-resistance gaskets, including those for the case back, crown, and pushers (where applicable).
5. Professional Water-Resistance Pressure Testing
After reassembly, your watch is placed in Swiss-imported pressure testing equipment. We simulate water pressure at various depths to guarantee its water resistance has been restored to the original factory standard.
About Watch Water Resistance - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Understanding the cause of a problem is the first step in any professional repair. Our Commitment: We always provide a full diagnosis and quotation first. We will never proceed with any chargeable repairs without your prior approval.
Q1: What does "Water Resistant 30m / 50m" on my watch mean? Can I swim with it?
A1: Absolutely not. This is a static pressure rating, meaning it has been tested to withstand that pressure in a controlled laboratory environment. For daily activities, a "30m / 50m" water resistance rating means the watch can only withstand minor splashes from hand washing or rain. A rating of at least "100m" is required for swimming or other water sports.
Q2: Why did my dive watch get water inside?
A2: There are two primary reasons: first, you may have operated the crown or pushers while underwater. Second, the watch's water-resistance gaskets (seals) naturally age, harden, and lose their sealing ability over time (typically 2-3 years). Even the most robust dive watches require regular pressure testing and gasket replacement to maintain their water resistance.
Q3: My watch crystal sometimes fogs up when there's a big temperature change (e.g., going from an air-conditioned room to the outdoors). Is this water damage?
A3: If the fog disappears on its own within a short time, it is usually just condensation of the trace amount of air trapped inside the watch case and is not a major concern. However, if the fog persists or forms into visible water droplets, it indicates that the seals have been compromised and the watch needs to be inspected as soon as possible.
Q4: What is the approximate cost to repair a water-damaged watch?
A4: The cost depends on the extent of the damage to the movement. If the water intrusion is minor and the movement is not damaged, the cost may only cover the drying process and gasket replacement. However, if the movement has already begun to corrode, a "Complete Overhaul" will be necessary, and the cost will be higher. Therefore, the sooner you bring the watch in for service, the lower the potential repair cost will be.
