Speedo HRM 2 Watches

[Leprechaun]

Chaps,

I welcomed the return of my trusty red HRM watch last week as it had been to the watch garage not once but twice. Moisture ingress first time became a flood ingress on first swim after first repair. Imagine my delight today after first swim in Aldershot with twice repaired watch which is now showing signs of......yes you've guessed it....F*&^%& water ingress. What are these people playing at?

Yes I have been in the sea with it (not the crossings as looking at a watch is pretty daft) and in indoor pools. A helpful assistant at the warranty repair centre said it wasnt water ingress just moisture and a colleague had noticed it went away after a few hours.

I have never heard such a **** and bull story and I await a call from the place I bought it from. Anyone else have any problems with these watches? Anyone recommend a better one?

Oh and in case you ask, yes they are supposed to be fully waterproof. Am a very unbalanced Libran as a result, especially as my local chip shop was being renovated today when I stormed over there for a comfort fish supper.

The floor is open.

[NotVeryFast]

Have you tried opening it up and sealing it properly yourself?

[Wildswimmer]

If the watch was opened, serviced and resealed in an area whose air has a high dewpoint, it's possible when that damp air is cooled sufficiently you will have some condensation. However you'd think a facility servicing waterproof watches would be air-conditioned to ensure the ambient air is at least reasonably dry.

I have a similar problem with my dive camera when used in very cold water. Unless I take care to renew the dessicant inside the casing the lens window will mist over inside.

The answer would be to wait until we get a cold Arctic airmass over us (won't be long now) then take the watch outside, open it, wait until its temperature has reached ambient then reseal. Arctic air is usually very dry.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Leprechaun]

Have you tried opening it up and sealing it properly yourself?

Would not dare do this!
It was fine until I went in the pool today - had worn it for a couple of days.
The previous time it had to be repaired it was flooded.
I think its actually getting worse as the day goes on

[Wildswimmer]

You won't get condensation in the warmth of a swimming pool. That's water ingress due to a damaged or incorrectly fitted seal.

Wildswimmer Pete

[NotVeryFast]

Would not dare do this!
I used to be the same, but a friend recently told me he had changed the battery in a Polar Heart Rate Monitor watch himself, and I expressed surprise because we're always told we must get them professionally changed. He told me there was nothing remotely difficult about doing it himself.

So I dug out a couple of old watches I had in a drawer where the batteries had gone flat, and opened them up to see what they were like inside. They differed greatly - one, a 15 year old Casio, seemed needlessly complex and I haven't bothered to put it back together. The other, a more recent Timex Ironman, was extremely simple to take apart and put back together. The waterproof sealing is just a little rubber gasket in both watches, that just needs a tiny bit of grease applying, and some care to make sure that it ends up properly seated when you put it back together.

[Pandi]

Chaps,

I welcomed the return of my trusty red HRM watch last week as it had been to the watch garage not once but twice. Moisture ingress first time became a flood ingress on first swim after first repair. Imagine my delight today after first swim in Aldershot with twice repaired

Too what depth was the watch certified?As far as i'm aware anything over 100m or 10bar should be sent off to be fitted with a correct seal & pressure tested.

You won't get condensation in the warmth of a swimming pool. That's water ingress due to a damaged or incorrectly fitted seal.

Wildswimmer Pete

Correct Wildie.But if leppie has been wearing the "watch" outside the colder temps.at the moment coupled with crappy sealing,will cause condensation.when he pops into a warmer atmosphere.

The waterproof sealing is just a little rubber gasket in both watches, that just needs a tiny bit of grease applying, and some care to make sure that it ends up properly seated when you put it back together.

Are you sure they are Rubber gaskets,they could be silicone,which could be erroded fairley quickly by the wrong type of "GREASE"

[Wildswimmer]

Are you sure they are Rubber gaskets,they could be silicone,which could be erroded fairley quickly by the wrong type of "GREASE"

Whatever they are made of only silicone grease should be used. Ordinary oil-based grease will rot natural and most synthetic rubbers.

I've got plenty of silicone grease in stock as I use it for electronic maintenance, so should anyone want any just PM me.

Wildswimmer Pete

[GettingFaster]

Also, the service people could deny all liability if Leppie opens his watch himself, so best just chuck it back at them (or position it strategically where the sun don't shine, if you prefer).

[Pandi]

Whatever they are made of only silicone grease should be used. Ordinary oil-based grease will rot natural and most synthetic rubbers.

I've got plenty of silicone grease in stock as I use it for electronic maintenance, so should anyone want any just PM me.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildie.GSXR750 would you use DOT4 OR DOT5 for fluid in the mastercyinders.Both oil based,but one more synthetic than tother.If the SEALS are only built to take the lesser of the options & you used DOT5 would you complain,when your brakes failed.Due to seals melting.:)

[Wildswimmer]

Wildie.GSXR750 would you use DOT4 OR DOT5 for fluid in the mastercyinders.Both oil based,but one more synthetic than tother.If the SEALS are only built to take the lesser of the options & you used DOT5 would you complain,when your brakes failed.Due to seals melting.:)

All brake fluids are synthetic, mostly based on glycol chemistry, although DOT 5 is silicone based. Brake seals are made of somewhat exotic materials to withstand the combination of extreme heat and pressure. Hydraulic oil, as used in heavy plant to drive rams, is a light hydrocarbon oil.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Leprechaun]

Update on the Watch

The supplier has agreed to refund or replace. If I can nominate an alternative they will decide how much if any I need to pay.

So...I think it was about 80 quid, anyone have any recommendations for an alternative?