Before we line up some great methods to remove water condensation from your watch, keep in mind that prevention is always better. We recommend first learning about your watch, its functions and capabilities, and how water resistant it actually is. See, waterproof and water-resistant are not the same thing. Contrary to popular belief, waterproof watches are the ones that are truly completely waterproof.
Water-resistant watches, on the other hand, can resist water to a certain degree. In other words\ it is resistant to minor water exposure like splashes, rain. Not recommended for showering, swimming, or diving. The best thing you can do when choosing a good waterproof watch is to read the water-resistant markings. But instead of crying instead of spilled milk you can turn your DIY watchmaker mode ON and take a look at how you can remove water from your watch with household appliances/ingredients.
7 Methods to Remove Moisture from your Watch
Use Uncooked Raw Rice
It has become common sense now that rice is the way to go when your phone accidentally goes down the toilet. And it actually works. Well, let us tell you that you can use uncooked raw rice not only for electronics but for your watch as well. Rice can remove water condensation from your watch, and that without the need to open it.
Simply place your watch in a sealed container or bag of uncooked rice. It is recommended to first cover the watch loosely with a paper towel. Understandably, the type of rice doesn’t matter, for as long as it is not cooked.
Rice, this common household ingredient, can dry out moisture from electronics and watches. It is a simple method but with a promising rate of success. However, you will want to wait for a couple of days before you can extract your watch out of the rice container.
After 2-3 days, remove your watch and check for any signs of water condensation. If the water has not fully left the watch, put it back in the container for another few days and check again.
The idea is that the rice will absorb the moisture trapped inside the watch until there is no more left. Feel free to repeat the process again and again until you receive a satisfactory result.
Keep in mind that if the watch has been fully submerged in water, the damage might be bigger than you think, and rice would probably waste your time than actually provide a solution. In this case, you better consult with your local jeweler or head over to your trusted watch repair shop. The latter will carefully examine the watch and professionally dry the internal parts.
Expose your Watch to Direct Sunlight
If you didn’t think about it, there you have it. The easiest way to remove moisture from your watch, without opening it, is to expose your watch directly to sunlight. The natural unlimited source of energy comes into play as an easy and effective method to remove water condensation from any device, watches included.
However, be careful as leaving your watch for long periods in direct sunlight can cause some irreversible damages to the watch. The sunlight can increase your watch’s temperature to more than it can handle, which can eventually make the process counter-productive.
One up to three hours is enough. If the moisture has not left the watch yet, repeat the process the following day. The idea is that the heat caused by sunlight can evaporate moisture or fog built up in your watch. Some experts even suggest pulling your watch’s crown out so the process is more effective.
Use a Blowdryer
Everyone has a blowdryer, right? It is a common household appliance and the best thing is it can come to your watch’s rescue. All you have to do is place your watch on a surface that can take the heat of the blowdryer (concrete floor, marble kitchen countertops, etc). And remember to always use the blowdryer with caution. Using it to remove water condensation from the watch, without opening it, can quickly get extremely hot, especially when you run it for a long time.
Now what you want to do is to set the blowdryer to low heat and slowly blow out the watch until you can see condensation dry away. And before you go get that blowdryer: If your watch has plastic parts (plastic case, band) or comes with other materials that can not withstand heat, simply avoid using this method.
Use Silica Gel
As you may or may not know, silica gel is a desiccant or in simple terms a drying agent. It is usually found in little packets that come along with other commercial products like electronics or clothing. You may have seen silica gel packages inside the box of those new shoes you bought or other items like cameras or laptops. Silica gel is highly regarded for its ability to absorb moisture and condensation, making it one of the best methods to remove water condensation from your watch.
All you have to do is take your watch and place it in a bowl or container full of silica gel. Leave it there for a few days and you will notice that the condensation has dried out from your precious watch. You can find Silica Gel bags available online, on Amazon, or on eBay.
Cat Litter?
We were running out of ideas here until this statistic hit us. Romania (a country in Europe) has the world’s most balanced pet population with 45% of the population having a dog as a pet and the other 45% having a cat. So, if you are the human friend of a cat, you have easy access to a cat’s litter. It is indeed an unconventional method so feel free to use rice instead. However, the unusual method of using cat litter to absorb water from your watch works. You can start by filling a bag or container with cat litter. Before putting your watch on, make sure to loosely wrap it with cotton fabric, a paper towel, or another protective piece. You want to protect your watch as cat litter can be abrasive. Place the bag with the watch inside the cat litter and check after a few days. Repeat until you receive satisfactory results.
Remove the watch caseback
If all of the aforementioned methods didn’t help you remove moisture from your watch, you can go the extra mile and open the caseback. This final step will allow you to get access to a larger presence of condensation, and easily remove it from your watch. So, how do you remove a watch’s caseback?
Depending on the model, look on your watch’s case back for a little nib or a lip in the lid. Then, you will want to use a pry tool to gently open the case. Please use minimum power force to avoid scratching your watch’s caseback or even worse, accidentally touch the movement while opening. After the caseback is properly removed from the watch, set your watch under the sun or other heat sources and let it dry. When finished, couple the watch back. Thank us later!
Leave it to the Professionals
If all of your other options will fail, this is your last chance. If you want to play it safe, simply head over to the watch repair shop. This is the most convenient and easy way to remove water condensation from your watch. The jeweler, on watchmaker, s an expert. He/she will not only address the best solution but also examine the watch for additional services. The latter can increase your watch’s lifespan. For example, the watchmaker might add extra glue around the watch glass or add a new gasket that might have been loose. The latter could have been the reason water got in in the first place. And if by chance you find it joyful repairing your watch, check out this related article: Watch Repair Kits – DIY Watch Repair Done Properly. Here you will learn how you can easily perform simple watch repair tasks like watch band replacement, crystal replacement, swapping out your watch’s dead battery, etc. However, we recommend complete novice not even think about it.
Reasons that cause water getting into your watch
Temperature Fluctuations
One of the reasons that cause moisture to be caused on your watch is extreme temperature changes. Going from a warm area to a very cold area and vice versa can cause water condensation in your watch.
Humidity
Humidity, a very humid environment, can also cause condensation to be formed inside your watch.
Water Contact
A substandard watch has been in contact or submerged into water. Exposing a non-waterproof watch to the rain, taking a shower wearing it, or even washing your hands with your watch on, adds to condensation forming inside your watch.
Low-Quality Watch
A cheap fashion watch or a replica is prone to water penetration. You shouldn’t even bother getting one of them in the first place.
Time Effect
Your watch ages with time and no matter how much we love vintage watches, they can sometimes be a pain in the rear. The cause of your watch have water condensation inside the glass might come by a worn-out o-seal ring. The o-ring, placed under the watch glass, seals the watch and prevents water from getting in. With time, the o-seal ring can shrink, harden, and eventually let water slip past it.
The Watch is Damaged
Broken glass, loose caseback or crown, can allow water to easily enter your watch. Even a micro crack in the watch glass or plastic can cause water to enter and cause condensation.
You have reached the end. We hope you found this DIY watch repair guide useful.
