Water resistance for the Omega Seamaster, like any other watch, must be periodically checked to ensure watertight seal integrity. Your Operating Instructions "...recommend that you have it checked by an authorized Omega partner every year."

But what exactly does that involve?

Well, in mid-October 2005, I inquired of Omega, Ltd., Customer Service in Bienne, Switzerland, and received the following reply.

Dear Mr Deaton,

Further to your request, please find below the technical advice suggested our Technical Assistance Department:

As mentioned in our Operating Instructions, we recommend checking the water-resistance of an Omega watch once per year.

Generally, the water-resistance check can be carried out by any Omega Service Centre or Omega POS that is in possession of a correctly calibrated vacuum/air pressure water resistance testing device (e.g. Witschi ALC 2000).

The test of the watch alone in the testing device takes just a few minutes.  The watch does not have to be opened!

However, the duration of this testing process may take longer according to local particularities (position of machine or customer reception, availability of trained persons to carry out test, etc.).

If the test result would be negative (water-resistance not good), the parts assuring water-resistance would have to be exchanged.

Swatch Group US in Secaucus could inform about the cost of such a service.

Should you need more information, please feel free to contact me again.

With kind regards,

Maria Mastrodonato
Customer Service
Phone: +41 32 343 9561
Fax: +41 32 343 9855
Website: www.omega.ch

My own local Omega Service Center further noted that addressing watertight seal issues involves more than just the caseback on Seamasters. There are special gadgets associated with both the screw-down crown and the helium escape valve.

In addition to assessing watertight reliability, does the source you are using have access to these Omega OEM replacement parts and training in their replacement?