Water Resistance & Crown Care

Your Fullness of Time watch is individually pressure tested before shipment. The result of that test is recorded on the accompanying Certificate of Stewardship.

Understanding what that test means—and caring properly for the crown—will help protect your timepiece for years to come.

Water Resistant Does Not Mean Waterproof

No watch should be considered permanently waterproof. “Waterproof” suggests that water can never enter a watch under any conditions. In reality, every watch has practical limits, and its protection can be affected by water pressure, temperature, age, impact, crown position and the condition of its seals.

“Water resistant” means that a watch has been designed and tested to withstand a specified level of water pressure under controlled conditions.

Each Fullness of Time watch is individually pressure tested to 5 ATM before shipment. The actual result is recorded on its Certificate of Stewardship.

What Does 5 ATM Mean?

A rating of 5 ATM represents resistance to approximately five atmospheres of pressure during a controlled test.

This rating is sometimes expressed as approximately 50 meters. That number is a pressure equivalent—not a recommendation that the watch be worn 50 meters underwater. Real-world movement, running water and sudden changes in pressure can place additional stress on the case, crystal, crown and seals.

For that reason, Fullness of Time recommends treating a 5 ATM watch as suitable for normal daily exposure, including:

• Rain
• Perspiration
• Accidental splashes
• Hand washing with the crown secured
• Brief incidental contact with water

We do not recommend wearing a 5 ATM Fullness of Time watch while:

• Swimming
• Snorkeling or diving
• Showering or bathing
• Using a sauna or hot tub
• Participating in water sports
• Working around pressurized or forceful running water

Even though some watches are called “divers” because of their styling and rotating timing bezels, they should not be treated as professional diving instruments unless specifically identified and certified for that purpose.  As the company grows we hope to be able to acquire additional testing equipment to that will allows us to further test and more accurately report the water resistance capabilities of Fullness of Time Watches.

Always Secure the Crown

The crown is one of the most important points of protection against moisture.

Before wearing the watch near water:

• Make sure the crown is fully pushed into its normal position.
• If your watch has a screw-down crown, make sure it is gently and completely secured.
• Never pull, turn, wind or operate the crown while the watch is wet.
• Dry the watch and your hands completely before setting or winding it.
• Do not force or overtighten a screw-down crown.
• If the crown does not turn smoothly, stop rather than forcing it, as this may damage the threads.

A crown that is pulled out, partially secured or improperly threaded can allow moisture to enter the case.

Avoid Heat, Steam and Sudden Temperature Changes

Hot water, steam and rapid temperature changes can affect seals and create pressure differences inside the watch.

Remove your watch before entering:

• Showers
• Baths
• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Hot tubs

Soap, shampoo, cleaning products and chemicals may also affect gaskets and other components.

After Contact With Water

If the watch is exposed to rain or splashing:

1. Confirm that the crown remains secured.
2. Wipe the case and bracelet with a clean, soft cloth.
3. Allow the watch to dry completely before operating the crown.
4. Do not use a hair dryer or other direct heat source.

If the watch is accidentally exposed to salt water, wipe it carefully with a clean cloth lightly dampened with fresh water, then dry it completely. Do not place it directly beneath a pressurized faucet.

Water Resistance Is Not Permanent

Water resistance can diminish over time. Gaskets naturally age, lubricants dry, and impacts can affect the crystal, crown, case or seals—even when no exterior damage is immediately visible.

A watch should be pressure tested again after:

• The case has been opened
• The crystal or crown has been repaired or replaced
• The watch receives a significant impact
• Signs of condensation appear beneath the crystal
• Extended ownership or frequent exposure to water

If You See Moisture Inside the Watch

If condensation, fogging or water droplets appear beneath the crystal:

• Remove the watch from your wrist.
• Do not operate the crown.
• Do not attempt to dry the movement using direct heat.
• Contact Fullness of Time Watch Company promptly for guidance.

Moisture inside the case should be addressed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of damage to the dial, hands and movement.

A Note About Your Certificate of Stewardship

Your Certificate of Stewardship records the pressure-test result for the actual watch you received. That result confirms that the watch passed its stated test at the time of final inspection.

The test result is not a permanent guarantee against water intrusion. Proper crown use, responsible wear and periodic inspection remain essential to preserving your watch’s water resistance.

A watch tells you what time it is. Your calling tells you what to do with it.