Watch crown o-ring

The watch crown o-ring is a sealing ring used in watches that is located at the point of contact between the crown and the watch case. Typically, rubber is used to guarantee the watch’s waterproof capabilities. The primary purpose of the O-ring is to offer a sturdy barrier that keeps moisture, dust, and other contaminants out of the watch’s interior, safeguarding the movement and other important parts from harm. It is essential to guaranteeing the watch’s water resistance.

Technical data

Material  NBR
Density 1.0 – 1.2 g/cm³
Hardness (Shore) 30 – 95
Tensile strength 5 – 25 MPa
Elongation at break 200 – 600%

Certification standard

  • The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) created ISO 6425 as a standard exclusively for diving watches. It includes specifications for waterproof performance and sealing standards, which may include the O-ring on the crown, among other things related to diving watches.
  • ISO 22810: This water resistance specification is appropriate for regular use in timepieces. It outlines the standards for watches’ waterproof performance in varying water depths, in addition to the sealing specifications for the crown and other operational components.
  • REACH: The European Union created the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) law in order to safeguard both the environment and public health. The REACH rule must be followed if the rubber material used to make the crown O-ring includes any prohibited chemicals.
Advantage and function
  1. Waterproof performance: Providing dependable waterproof performance is the primary purpose of the watch crown o-ring. It creates a strong barrier between the case and the crown, keeping moisture out of the watch’s interior and safeguarding the movement and other important parts from harm. This makes it possible for the watch to be waterproof when engaging in regular activities like swimming, bathing, and diving.
  2. Sealing effectiveness: The O-ring performs well in sealing off dust, perspiration, oil, and other contaminants from the watch’s inside. This lowers the possibility of harm to the movement and other components by ensuring that the interior of the watch is covered and kept clean.
  3. Wear Resistance: The o-ring on a watch crown is expertly crafted and has exceptional wear resistance. Its resilience to wear and tear and regular crown adjustments allows it to last longer than a watch that would otherwise break or distort.
  4. Replaceability: O-rings are simpler to replace because they are often a distinct component. You may preserve the watch’s waterproof and sealing capabilities by swapping out the worn-out, aged, or damaged O-ring for a new one.
  5. Safety: The watch crown o-ring’s sealing ability helps keep moisture out of the watch’s inside, lowering the possibility of moisture or movement harm. This lessens the need for repairs and maintenance and keeps your watch operating as intended.
Precautions

Check the watch’s waterproof performance on a regular basis, taking note of the o-ring’s sealing state and the watch’s overall waterproof performance. To keep the watch waterproof, the O-ring has to be replaced in a timely manner if it looks worn out, broken, or loose.

Steer clear of harsh environments: Don’t subject your watch to high or low pressure, temperatures, or chemicals. The performance and longevity of O-rings may be negatively impacted by certain circumstances.

Exercise caution when handling the crown: Do not use excessive force to rotate or remove the crown; instead, handle the crown with care and gentleness. An excessive amount of twisting or hard handling might damage or loosen the O-ring.

Prevent chemical contact: Steer clear of solvents, perfumes, detergents, and other chemicals that might come into touch with the watch and the watch crown o-ring. O-rings may deteriorate or age as a result of these substances’ negative reactions with rubber components.

Frequent maintenance: Adhere to the care and maintenance guidelines provided by the watchmaker. To guarantee correct functioning and waterproof performance of the watch, this may involve changing the o-ring on the watch crown, cleaning and lubricating the crown movement, etc.