: In the end the idea is that the risk is not worth: the potential
: damage is very huge and we know how much these vintage calibres,
: dials etc. now cost.
: And for some you can't even think of getting them no matter how
: much you'd be ready to pay.

: The real issue is in the seals and gaskets: modern watches have
: ones that are produced now with today's technologies and recent
: materials.
: Vintage watches typically use older ones and even NOS supplies the
: very age of the components matters.
: And a little tad of humidity can do more damage than you'd expect -
: i.e. trigger oxydation processes leading to rust or worse.
: And for some - e.g. the Monaco's -some even doubt they really ever
: were waterproof. It's the same as with vintage cars: you seldom
: see them out in rainy days, do you?
Well, I will err on the side of caution. I did pick up a lovely 11630 that has a lot of wabi/patina for the intention of being a 'beater'.. it's all faded & well worn, quite beautiful actually. I'm going to see it I can get that one sealed/tested & go with it!

Stewart

: Just for your knowledge, over the years I've had some of my vintage
: watches (i.e. older than 30 years) overhauled by their official
: makers: well, for the older ones some did not pass the test even
: after the service (and this waterproofnes is not guaranteed in
: fact). But the most startling find was that even for those that
: did pass with flying colours, the maker always enclosed a letter
: that said "Despite the substituion of this and that and the
: positive outcome of the pressure test, given the age of the
: watch we do not guarantee etc. etc."
: So really at your own risk.
: In the end: wear a beater if you want, but not one of your most
: loved or precious one.
: Cheers,
: Fabrizio