zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Okay, this is cut and pasted from an email I got directly from Omega in Switzerland:

We thank you for your e-mail and for owning an Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver watch of reference 2599.80.00.

Please find below the following information received from the Head of our technician-watchmakers:

Pusher of Chrono-Diver:

In production, every single Omega Professional Diver Chronograph must pass water tests at 30bar pressure (= 300 meter) with unscrewed crown. These tests, however, are static. That means the watch does not move during the tests as is would if worn on the wrist of a diver.

Thus, the crown is basically designed to be screwed in when worn or generally used. For security reasons (if the crown is forgotten to be locked), water-resistance is not guaranteed, but assured until a certain point.

Helium Valve:

The helium valve is especially designed to be waterproof either open or closed – if the helium valve is open we have 1 gasket which ensures that the watch is waterproof (in this position the overpressure from the inside of the case can escape thru the valve). If the helium valve is closed an additional gasket as double security is used to ensure the waterproof of the watch (for the double security the helium valve should always be closed except during the use for the designed function).

In my email "with unscrewed crown" is underlined, which didn't transfer with the cut and paste. I still screw down the crown but it's nice to know the watch will be safe if I forget and inadvertantly get it wet. I hope this clarifies the matter. I've saved the entire email with contact information if anyone wants to "fact check" it.