Best treatment for steaming up?

[Chunkychucky]

Good people, last night went out in the fresh snow (somewhat inebriated), and forgot to remove my Omega Speedmaster Mk 4.5 before doing so. Came back in and ever since the glass has been all steamed up, no doubt due to the knackered seals on the case. What's the best way of getting rid of this condensation on the inside of the glass?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[t8cmf]

I've heard of people putting their watches in bowls of dry rice with clingfilm over the top and leaving it overnight. The theory being that the rice acts like a desiccant and absorbs the moisture. Its a cheap fix and worth a go. Never tried it myself though.

[tertius]

Pull out the crown, then put it an a small air tight box - e.g. tupperware - along with either some rice or, ideally, those silica gel packs you get in the packaging with electronic stuff. Leave it overnight.

[TheEnd]

I'd take the back off, and leave it somewhere to dry out.
Heating it with a hair dryer or something isn't a great idea as it'll make the condensation just disappear for 20 mins until it cools again.

[Chunkychucky]

Great thanks guys, i'll try putting it in rice, and if that fails i'll get a bit more involved with it..

[Hoofy]

I would have just pulled the crown out and put it in the airing cupboard for a while.

[Gary11]

my wifes Rolex steamed up,she swore she hadnt fiddled with the crown anyway I found the best way was pull out the crown and leave the watch on a radiator for a couple of days all ok again now fhew!

[Chunkychucky]

Gary11 said:

my wifes Rolex steamed up,she swore she hadnt fiddled with the crown anyway I found the best way was pull out the crown and leave the watch on a radiator for a couple of days all ok again now fhew!

I tried that, however being 35 years old I think the seals in the watch are probably screwed, as everytime it cooled down the condensation would reappear. I'll probably just leave it until I can afford to send it to Swiss Time Services for a resto

[Xtriple129]

Don't just leave it. Moisture is a real killer of movements leading to expensive repairs. Get it dried out asap - take the back off if you can and leave it somewhere warm and dry, then get it to STS for new seals.

[Odie]

Pay the 250 quid for the full service, just had my 18yo seamaster done, and it came back looking new and a massive list of replaced parts.

[Chunkychucky]

Odie said:

Pay the 250 quid for the full service, just had my 18yo seamaster done, and it came back looking new and a massive list of replaced parts.

Did you have any external work done? I think i'm going to get the case refinished and the face resto'd so it comes back like a brand spanker. Didn't realise until I saw a nicer example than mine that originally the Mk 4.5 had a kind of satin finish to the case and strap, however mine has polished shiney with age. Looking forward to getting it fixed up... And spoke to my dad earlier who I left the watch with, he says apparently all the moisture has gone so hopefully if I leave it in his safe for now it should be ok..

[Odie]

Chunkychucky said:

Odie said:

Pay the 250 quid for the full service, just had my 18yo seamaster done, and it came back looking new and a massive list of replaced parts.

Did you have any external work done? I think i'm going to get the case refinished and the face resto'd so it comes back like a brand spanker. Didn't realise until I saw a nicer example than mine that originally the Mk 4.5 had a kind of satin finish to the case and strap, however mine has polished shiney with age. Looking forward to getting it fixed up... And spoke to my dad earlier who I left the watch with, he says apparently all the moisture has gone so hopefully if I leave it in his safe for now it should be ok..

Crystal has been polished (it had some marks on), Some pins in the strap that had worn out where replaced, it was fully polished, ie the satin bits are now satin again and the shiney bits are now shiney again.

Most noticable thing that have been done are the hands have been changed so the lume now glows really bright and the tip of the seconds hand is red instead of faded to orange & the 2 crowns have been replaced.

Its not just a mechanical service, its a full strip, clean, polish, replace worn parts, new seals, pressure test (not the fully certified one) & returned in a protective travel case that you get to keep (leatherette red omega branded very padded zipped case, would make a good glasses case). £250 well spent imho.