baufoam
701
Similar Experience
May 18, 2018,21:36 PM
I was wearing a Patek 1526 during the Fall and Winter while working in New York City. That particular watch had been built in 1949. I noticed the crystal fogging up when I would walk off the cold street into the place where I was working (which was warm). Of course I was VERY concerned seeing this fog appear on the crystal of my beautiful, vintage Patek Perpetual Calendar! I went to the Henri Stern Watch Agency as soon as I could, and was basically told to not worry about it. The watch was not waterproof and never had been waterproof. It was not even “Humidity Protected”. It is a vintage dress watch, and yes, that was liable to happen. They opened the watch, put it in a dryer for a short time and closed it up and handed it back to me. I was told to be careful wearing the watch in the rain. No swimming, and to enjoy the watch. That was about it. I still love that watch, but I no longer wear it “around town”. I use my 3940 or 3970 as “Daily Wearers” now. They are much better sealed, much more durable timepieces than my good’ol 1526 could ever be.
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Advice for removing moisture
By: Letson : May 18th, 2018-19:47
My wife and I were just caught in an unexpected rainstorm while walking home from dinner, and my watch’s crystal (vintage 2573, 10-200 movement) is fogged with moisture. It’s still running normally as far as I can tell. I have placed it in a container of ...
Thank you, Rogi.
By: Letson : May 18th, 2018-20:43
This is what I was looking for. I had already scheduled a visit to an AD and was considering a service by Patek as a baseline for my ownership (I’ve owned the watch for around 9 months). This probably bumps that date forward a little. Your comment about t...
Similar Experience
By: baufoam : May 18th, 2018-21:36
I was wearing a Patek 1526 during the Fall and Winter while working in New York City. That particular watch had been built in 1949. I noticed the crystal fogging up when I would walk off the cold street into the place where I was working (which was warm)....
That’s an amazing story
By: rcg412 : May 27th, 2018-18:34
Would of been freaking out on that model!!! I am surprised hswa said was normal!!
Sad seeing this, but here are some things to consider
By: jayeyedoubleemmwhy : May 18th, 2018-21:43
There is some confusion even amongst watchmakers about how to treat moisture inside timepieces. Some are willing to dry out movements and just call it good, others would say it needs to have a complete service (service the movement, new dial, new hands, e...
100% share yr opinion ,rice is a great
By: Passionata_george : May 19th, 2018-00:09
sidedish but not much help in watchmaking. These oldies are even not airtight so a good hairdier helps too.
Update
By: Letson : May 19th, 2018-05:13
Many thanks for the replies. I put the watch in dry rice in a sealed ziploc bag overnight (~8 hrs). Caseback on, crown in closed. This morning, as you can see in the attached pictures, the moisture under the crystal appears to have abated, and the watch s...
May I
By: ingo5711 : May 26th, 2018-10:15
ask the ref number?
Silica
By: Chimaera : May 28th, 2018-00:01
Rice does the job, but silica gel even better - those little bags of “rocks” you find in electronics packaging. You can get some on the internet, or any photographic shop. But that is “first aid” - strongly suggest a proper service. Most likely only a wor...
Update: After about 53 weeks...
By: Letson : October 15th, 2019-17:51
Patek Philippe Geneva completed service on my watch, and sent it back to me. It was worth the wait. ...
Yes!
By: Letson : October 17th, 2019-13:21
Absolutely worth the wait. Thanks for your kind words, and to all who offered advice!
Very Nice
By: drphileasfogg : October 17th, 2019-14:52
About the average waiting time for vintage service.
