How to drown a watch movement in silicone oil

[vext01]

I saw this video in my youtube feed too.

I just thought: nope. Even if it did look good, I'm bound to make a mess!

And then there's the moment in the restaurant when the oil leaks out all over the table...

[Colar]

I saw the video, which inspired me to maybe try it as well. I was just wondering if someone had any experience with hydro-modding a timex Mk1 Aluminum. And whether it might have a bad effect on the acrylic crystal?

[UnHommeQuiDort]

On 2/22/2020 at 7:19 PM, rogart63 said:

Yes . Found this.    https://www.sinn.de/en/HYDRO.htm

I'd be interested to know how much of an issue this reflection problem was/is for divers using non oil-filled watches prior to this "solution".

[jdm]

8 minutes ago, UnHommeQuiDort said:

I'd be interested to know how much of an issue this reflection problem was/is for divers using non oil-filled watches prior to this "solution".

I'd say it's no issue, at least not to me.

And as mentioned so many times, the watch is mostly a sports accessory. You look at your dive computer is the type of dive requires accurate timings. 

[vinn3]

  "nothing new here"   for many years there have been pressure gauges  - oil filled to stop rust.  i  think not used in submarines.  i have bought many used watches swamped with oil or wd - 40 .  vin

[VWatchie]

"This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated"

I really hate it when YouTube prevents their users to publish certain content, but of course there are limits to what is still acceptable, such as filling a watch with oil. So, good YouTube noticed it and prevented it! 

[VagueByDesign]

I've got eight watches I filled with silicone oil 3 years ago.  They are all still keeping perfect time.  They are ecodrive Citizens for the most part, but there is a Casio and a Jack Mason and one other unknown brand in the mix, and they are all also running fine.  So the assumption that it will slow them down or whatever is false from my experience.  3 years in and no problems.  Will they last 50 years?  Probably not, but who cares?  Watches like this are disposable.  I'm not filling thousand dollar watches.  They are just quartz watches I could easily replace for less than $200 if I totally ruined them, so who cares?  It looks cool and it is a fun project.  And from my experience, 3 years in there have been no problems.

[watchweasol]

Makes for an interesting battery change, Is the sump drained and refilled on each chage.

[MannyE]

I'm sorry if this is a zombie thread, but I'm amazed at the "I think this is nonsense, so I will say this is nonsense" attitude.  Not that I am upset or anything and I totally understand.  I'm a vinyl record guy and I know how those of us who enjoy "ancient technology" react to any changes in the status quo.  This is a legitimate modification for anyone taking a watch underwater.  Air in the case makes a watch an unreadable mirror underwater.  Filling it with oil makes it readable when underwater, in case your fancy iWatch decides to crap the bed when you're 30 feet down.  

In more practical real-world uses, an oil-filled watch looks really cool.  It makes the face look like an LED screen.  In addition, for certain G-Shock models, especially negative models, the oil-fill makes it much easier to read the display.  YES, the added resistance will make a quartz battery last half as long.  Oh no!  I have to to change a battery in 5 years instead of 10!  Woe is me!  

HOWEVER...  I would never put oil into a 4 figure watch unless I was really going to take my Omega on the Oceangate so at least they would find that watch intact.  

You guys need to open your minds a bit.  There are Casio Royals and many many G-Shocks with and without analog movements that have been happily working for years filled with oil.  

Some caveats are, as has been stated, the oil will expand, so either fill at higher temps, or leave a bubble.  And! Silicone oil tends to seep into and expand silicone gaskets, so consider mineral oil, which is also inert and cleans up WAY easier than silicone oil.  One thing no one mentions is that if you are going for the "no bubble" look, you have to drench everything in oil.  Silicone will NOT clean up with soap and water.  Mineral oil will.  

 

[tomh207]

3 minutes ago, MannyE said:

I'm sorry if this is a zombie thread, but I'm amazed at the "I think this is nonsense, so I will say this is nonsense" attitude.  Not that I am upset or anything and I totally understand.  I'm a vinyl record guy and I know how those of us who enjoy "ancient technology" react to any changes in the status quo.  This is a legitimate modification for anyone taking a watch underwater.  Air in the case makes a watch an unreadable mirror underwater.  Filling it with oil makes it readable when underwater, in case your fancy iWatch decides to crap the bed when you're 30 feet down.  

In more practical real-world uses, an oil-filled watch looks really cool.  It makes the face look like an LED screen.  In addition, for certain G-Shock models, especially negative models, the oil-fill makes it much easier to read the display.  YES, the added resistance will make a quartz battery last half as long.  Oh no!  I have to to change a battery in 5 years instead of 10!  Woe is me!  

HOWEVER...  I would never put oil into a 4 figure watch unless I was really going to take my Omega on the Oceangate so at least they would find that watch intact.  

You guys need to open your minds a bit.  There are Casio Royals and many many G-Shocks with and without analog movements that have been happily working for years filled with oil.  

Some caveats are, as has been stated, the oil will expand, so either fill at higher temps, or leave a bubble.  And! Silicone oil tends to seep into and expand silicone gaskets, so consider mineral oil, which is also inert and cleans up WAY easier than silicone oil.  One thing no one mentions is that if you are going for the "no bubble" look, you have to drench everything in oil.  Silicone will NOT clean up with soap and water.  Mineral oil will.  

 

It’s a very edge case for the benefit of doing this, mostly marketing for Sinn. How many watches will ever get below 2m of water? In the real diving sphere this is not even a consideration.

 

Tom

[RichardHarris123]

I approved this post because it doesn't break any forum rules but I think for a first post claiming that our minds are closed is a bit arrogant. 

[MannyE]

26 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I approved this post because it doesn't break any forum rules but I think for a first post claiming that our minds are closed is a bit arrogant. 

You say arrogant but I say practical.  I'm not belittling anyone's opinion, and I qualified my remarks by saying that I understand the outlook.  Many of the responses seem kneejerk and uninformed.  I've done that too! So I'm no better. 

I looked around and this is a really cool site.  I think it's important to respond to things when they are off the mark.  In a polite way, of course.  No one (generally) is on any forum with expressed aim of belittling anyone else.  Although, I see that on audio forums a lot.  BUT ANYWAY... 

Thank you for approving.  I think that when well done, and it's a pain in the ass get right, oil-filling makes for a really cool modification to a low-budget quartz watch. 

Most people like repairing watches because they enjoy tinkering and have a reverence for mechanical things.  It would be a shame if this really fun mod was avoided because it's unusual and if you've never done it, it seems insane. 

I am a computer geek and about 10 years ago, I built an entire computer in an aquarium, then filled that aquarium with mineral oil.  I obviously used a bunch of parts I was never gonna use again and I expected the whole thing to basically not work.  But it DID work.  It was stupid, and offered no advantages worth the effort and mess, but it worked.  So when I heard about oil filling a watch, I grabbed some mineral oil, and filled up a $5 Darth Vader no-name watch and darn that thing looked cool!  AND KEPT RUNNING. 

So, would I do this to a Speedmaster or Daytona?  Hell no.  Would I do this to a used (or even new) G-Shock? Absolutely. 

Don't poo-poo it until you've tried it.   

[AndyGSi]

'How to Win Friends and Influence People'

[MannyE]

Quote

It’s a very edge case for the benefit of doing this, mostly marketing for Sinn. How many watches will ever get below 2m of water? In the real diving sphere this is not even a consideration.

I would respectfully disagree.  As oye can see here on this video, an oil filled watch is way better at depth than it's non oil-filled counterpart.  And yes, 99.999% of people will never get to any depth beyond 10 feet, but even at one foot, a dive watch is really hard to read.  I'm part of the 10% of people who get in the ocean regularly (it's actually probably less than 10%)  and even though it's near the shore and I'm snorkeling at depths of MAYBE 7 feet, the oil-fill makes it really easy to see the time.  Do I need to? Not at all...  my lungs tell me when it's time to come up.  But is it awesome?  Hell yes it is.  

 

I would argue against silicone oil.  It gets everywhere in the same way mineral oil does, but silicone is not soluble in water nor does it seem to be affected by soap.  So not in my book.  Plus, there are weird chemicals in silicone oil (or so I've heard...not sure) and I would rather not worry about a leak on my skin.  

 

[tomh207]

14 minutes ago, MannyE said:

You say arrogant but I say practical.  I'm not belittling anyone's opinion, and I qualified my remarks by saying that I understand the outlook.  Many of the responses seem kneejerk and uninformed.  I've done that too! So I'm no better. 

I looked around and this is a really cool site.  I think it's important to respond to things when they are off the mark.  In a polite way, of course.  No one (generally) is on any forum with expressed aim of belittling anyone else.  Although, I see that on audio forums a lot.  BUT ANYWAY... 

Thank you for approving.  I think that when well done, and it's a pain in the ass get right, oil-filling makes for a really cool modification to a low-budget quartz watch. 

Most people like repairing watches because they enjoy tinkering and have a reverence for mechanical things.  It would be a shame if this really fun mod was avoided because it's unusual and if you've never done it, it seems insane. 

I am a computer geek and about 10 years ago, I built an entire computer in an aquarium, then filled that aquarium with mineral oil.  I obviously used a bunch of parts I was never gonna use again and I expected the whole thing to basically not work.  But it DID work.  It was stupid, and offered no advantages worth the effort and mess, but it worked.  So when I heard about oil filling a watch, I grabbed some mineral oil, and filled up a $5 Darth Vader no-name watch and darn that thing looked cool!  AND KEPT RUNNING. 

So, would I do this to a Speedmaster or Daytona?  Hell no.  Would I do this to a used (or even new) G-Shock? Absolutely. 

Don't poo-poo it until you've tried it.   

Why the evangelism approach? Most of us here are repairing mechanical watches where this would not work on any practical level for us? I am always interested in horological innovations however, me personally I don’t see this as one, more of a fashion or fad TBH. I personally would turn anyone away asking me to fix an oil filled watch as it would just ruin my day.

 

Tom

I approved your latest post but still this is not really a general thing and very niche.

 

Tom

Oh, I also have known quite a few divers from SBS to commercial deep see divers and quite a few in between and they would laugh at anyone using a watch rather than a dive computer.

[MannyE]

4 minutes ago, tomh207 said:

Why the evangelism approach? Most of us here are repairing mechanical watches where this would not work on any practical level for us? I am always interested in horological innovations however, me personally I don’t see this as one, more of a fashion or fad TBH. I personally would turn anyone away asking me to fix an oil filled watch as it would just ruin my day.

 

Tom

I approved your latest post but still this is not really a general thing and very niche.

 

Tom

I think we are actually agreeing.  No, oil-filling is not something to do to any mechanical watch.  I am 100% with you on that, unless someone is going down to 1000  feet it's not needed and that point, a Sea Dweller will get the job done with no oil at even 4000 feet?  I'm not sure.    I know they go deep.  

This is very niche yes.  But it shouldn't be.  I think it's a modification that takes a cheap digital watch and makes it really interesting.  

[tomh207]

17 minutes ago, MannyE said:

I think we are actually agreeing.  No, oil-filling is not something to do to any mechanical watch.  I am 100% with you on that, unless someone is going down to 1000  feet it's not needed and that point, a Sea Dweller will get the job done with no oil at even 4000 feet?  I'm not sure.    I know they go deep.  

This is very niche yes.  But it shouldn't be.  I think it's a modification that takes a cheap digital watch and makes it really interesting.  

Niche is niche, I.e. very little application in the real world. I don’t personally see any benefits to a watchmaker at all.

 

Tom

[MannyE]

35 minutes ago, tomh207 said:

Niche is niche, I.e. very little application in the real world. I don’t personally see any benefits to a watchmaker at all.

 

Tom

Well, a professional watchmaker is uniquely qualified to modify a watch and even though this is a mainly visual mod, it's a pain in the ass.  So much so that many people (thousands?) would be willing to pay to gat it done.  

[VWatchie]

3 hours ago, MannyE said:

This is a legitimate modification for anyone taking a watch underwater.  Air in the case makes a watch an unreadable mirror underwater

Last time I checked my Casio dive watch (without oil) it was perfectly readable under water. Not in all angles but when facing it. If your statement was true all dive watches would be oil filled.

Yes, it may look cool, but it's a thoroughly bad idea for a multitude of reasons. I would never do it. Not even if I was payed.

Edited November 5, 2024 by VWatchie

[HectorLooi]

Does the viscosity of the oil put additional stress on the stepper motor? What's the battery life of an oil filled watch?

[HectorLooi]

Nevermind. I just read the above thread.

I don't think mineral oil would work. It tends to swell up rubber orings. But the liquid might be something other than silicone oil.

Many year ago, I saw an exhibit in 3M's office where they had a CRT TV submerged in a fish tank of clear liquid and there were goldfish swimming above.

The liquid was some fluorocarbon. I can't remember the name though. The liquid was touted as non toxic, non conducting and high voltage safe. I don't think 3M found an actual application for this liquid.

It might be a good substance for filling a watch. 

[Klassiker]

The visual effect is fascinating. I recommend handling Ressence's products if you get the chance. It made me smile! The idea of getting a similar effect on the cheap appeals to me, so hats off to anyone who's actually tried it.

[MannyE]

4 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

Nevermind. I just read the above thread.

I don't think mineral oil would work. It tends to swell up rubber orings. But the liquid might be something other than silicone oil.

Many year ago, I saw an exhibit in 3M's office where they had a CRT TV submerged in a fish tank of clear liquid and there were goldfish swimming above.

The liquid was some fluorocarbon. I can't remember the name though. The liquid was touted as non toxic, non conducting and high voltage safe. I don't think 3M found an actual application for this liquid.  

It might be a good substance for filling a watch. 

Actually, I think the silicone oil is the one that swells the gaskets.  I've seen watches that have spent years  filled with mineral oil that are still doing OK.  In fact, I'm going to use mineral oil on one of mine soon  (probably December) and I will post the results.  

The main problem aside from the mess of actually filling the watch and the resulting mess is A, cleanup after, and B making sure there is enough oil to show the effect but not expand and hurt the case or leak out from pushers.  This is done by making sure the oil you use is at at least body temp.  My inclination is to go higher by a few degrees to assure it  won't be affected by sunshine.  EDIT...  a bubble can also be left to aid in expansion and contraction.  

Battery life is shortened by this mod if your watch has analog hands or any other mechanical feature.   I have not read about totally digital quartz watches being affected in terms of battery life.  

We will see the result soon.  

Edited November 6, 2024 by MannyE

[MannyE]

7 hours ago, VWatchie said:

Last time I checked my Casio dive watch (without oil) it was perfectly readable under water. Not in all angles but when facing it. If your statement was true all dive watches would be oil filled.

Yes, it may look cool, but it's a thoroughly bad idea for a multitude of reasons. I would never do it. Not even if I was payed.

Now who is being evangelistic?  I respect your opinion, but I respectfully disagree.  It's a legitimate modification for many watches.  And in fact, I will post my own modification on youtube so everyone can watch it and I promise not to edit anything except boring stuff.  

Then we can all watch the watch for the next few years and see how it does.  

[AndyGSi]

4 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

Nevermind. I just read the above thread.

I don't think mineral oil would work. It tends to swell up rubber orings. But the liquid might be something other than silicone oil.

Many year ago, I saw an exhibit in 3M's office where they had a CRT TV submerged in a fish tank of clear liquid and there were goldfish swimming above.

The liquid was some fluorocarbon. I can't remember the name though. The liquid was touted as non toxic, non conducting and high voltage safe. I don't think 3M found an actual application for this liquid.

It might be a good substance for filling a watch. 

3M Fluorinert

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40045180/