One of the more remarkable features of the new SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date diver's watches by Glashütte Original is the intensive testing for conformance with German as well as international quality standards. To ensure absolute reliability, each SeaQ watch is tested for water resistance, air tightness at over- and underpressure, shock resistance, resistance to salt-water corrosion and many other criteria.
We provide below a description of the most important tests to which each fully assembled SeaQ watch undergoes.
In the spring of this year Glashütte Original launched the Spezialist, a complete new collection whose debut models are the SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date diver's watches.
One of the more remarkable features of these new diver’s watches is the intensive testing for conformance with German as well as international quality standards.
To ensure absolute reliability, every single watch is tested and analysed in-house for conformance with DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standards. Each SeaQ watch is tested for water resistance, air tightness at over- and underpressure, shock resistance, resistance to salt-water corrosion and many other criteria.
We provide below a description of the most important tests to which each fully assembled SeaQ watch undergoes.
Test for moisture in the watch
The SeaQ is first heated for 30 minutes to 40-45°C and then covered with a cold wet piece of felt. If there is any moisture in the watch, it would appear at this point as condensed water on the inside surface of the glass. If this is not the case, the watch is in conformance with the relevant standard and enters the testing phase.
Determination of resistance at under- and overpressure
To start with, the SeaQ is exposed to an underpressure of -0.2 bar. This simulates use of the watch at high altitudes (in the mountains or in an airplane). The watch is then exposed to an overpressure (as at great depths underwater) of 125%. This corresponds with 20-bar watches to a value of 25 bar, and with 30-bar watches to a value of 37.5 bar.
Measurement of air mass flow rate
A special device is used to generate an air overpressure of 2 bar around the watch. A measurement is taken automatically to determine how much air enters the watch. The measurement is accurate to 5 millionths of a gram.
Water resistance test and external drying
In a first phase the watch is exposed in distilled water to an overpressure of 125%. This corresponds with 20-bar watches to a value of 25 bar, and with 30-bar watches to a value of 37.5 bar. This overpressure is maintained for a certain period of time. In a second phase the pressure is then lowered to a slight overpressure of 0.3 bar.
Following the water resistance test in a water bath, the outside of the SeaQ is dried by rotating the watch under a curtain of air. This ensures that no moisture remains on the watch before it undergoes the final condensation test.
Test for moisture in the watch after testing
In a final step the SeaQ is once again heated for 30 minutes to 40-45°C. Afterwards a wet piece of felt is once more placed for one minute upon the upper surface of the glass. If no condensation appears on the inner surface of the glass, the watch has successfully passed the test series without having admitted any water.
Each SeaQ watch is then tested for 24 days to ensure they meet the most exacting standards for rate precision, water resistance, shock resistance, and numerous other properties.
An individual certificate documents each watch’s successful completion of the test that is thoroughly visually inspected before becoming ready for delivery.
The SeaQ is already available from the Glashütte Original Boutiques in Germany and Austria, and will be made available step by step in all of the brand’s Boutiques and from authorised dealers around the world. glashuette-original.com
Suggested reading:
- Hands-on Review: Glashütte Original SeaQ Panorama Date
- Our visit to the Glashütte Original manufactury
One of the more remarkable features of these new diver’s watches is the intensive testing for conformance with German as well as international quality standards.
To ensure absolute reliability, every single watch is tested and analysed in-house for conformance with DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standards. Each SeaQ watch is tested for water resistance, air tightness at over- and underpressure, shock resistance, resistance to salt-water corrosion and many other criteria.
We provide below a description of the most important tests to which each fully assembled SeaQ watch undergoes.
Test for moisture in the watch
The SeaQ is first heated for 30 minutes to 40-45°C and then covered with a cold wet piece of felt. If there is any moisture in the watch, it would appear at this point as condensed water on the inside surface of the glass. If this is not the case, the watch is in conformance with the relevant standard and enters the testing phase.
Above and below, condensation tests
Determination of resistance at under- and overpressure
To start with, the SeaQ is exposed to an underpressure of -0.2 bar. This simulates use of the watch at high altitudes (in the mountains or in an airplane). The watch is then exposed to an overpressure (as at great depths underwater) of 125%. This corresponds with 20-bar watches to a value of 25 bar, and with 30-bar watches to a value of 37.5 bar.
Measurement of air pressure
Water overpressure test
Measurement of air mass flow rate
A special device is used to generate an air overpressure of 2 bar around the watch. A measurement is taken automatically to determine how much air enters the watch. The measurement is accurate to 5 millionths of a gram.
Measurement of mass flow
Water resistance test and external drying
In a first phase the watch is exposed in distilled water to an overpressure of 125%. This corresponds with 20-bar watches to a value of 25 bar, and with 30-bar watches to a value of 37.5 bar. This overpressure is maintained for a certain period of time. In a second phase the pressure is then lowered to a slight overpressure of 0.3 bar.
Following the water resistance test in a water bath, the outside of the SeaQ is dried by rotating the watch under a curtain of air. This ensures that no moisture remains on the watch before it undergoes the final condensation test.
Drying the watches
In a final step the SeaQ is once again heated for 30 minutes to 40-45°C. Afterwards a wet piece of felt is once more placed for one minute upon the upper surface of the glass. If no condensation appears on the inner surface of the glass, the watch has successfully passed the test series without having admitted any water.
Each SeaQ watch is then tested for 24 days to ensure they meet the most exacting standards for rate precision, water resistance, shock resistance, and numerous other properties.
Above and below, synchronization with Glashütte Original quartz chronometer
Alternating positions test
Temperature dependency
Daily testing of rate and minimum running time of 100 hours
Above and below, visual inspection
Suggested reading:
- Hands-on Review: Glashütte Original SeaQ Panorama Date
- Our visit to the Glashütte Original manufactury
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