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Aquanaut 5167R sea salt damage ! Heart broken need advice
Hello ,
Truly heartbroken that this Happened ..
Yesterday I was swimming in the ocean and while I was swimming I saw that the watch stopped working and started to fog up a lil bit . Sure enough after looking closer my Crown came loose halfway.. wich caused Sea salt water to come in.
Within 24hrs it got corroded .. smh I went right away to my local PPASC to have it assessed.
They send it right away to NY Stern Agency to have it fixed ..
I’m freaking out because the worst case is they have to exchange the whole movement and I’m not sure what the cost can go to if that were to happen .
These models are going lately for 90-100k am I looking at a bill of 10-20k to restore my watch smh?
Any jewler advice plz ? 
[Title amended --- FabR (Patek moderator)]
Aquanaut 5167R sea salt damage ! Heart broken need advice
Hello , Truly heartbroken that this Happened .. Yesterday I was swimming in the ocean and while I was swimming I saw that the watch stopped working and started to fog up a lil bit . Sure enough after looking closer my Crown came loose halfway.. wich cause...
Oh my…sorry to see that…but to Patek, this is not $90-$100k watch.
This is a $43k watch so hopefully they can restore the parts and clean it, not having to replace whole movement. I respect your courage and making full use of your watch to wear for swimming but not really advisable with precious metals. I’m sure they wil...
If a watch is rated with a water resistance of 120m, it is water resistant to 120m. The case material does not matter.
I would have swam with this watch without worry (but I do check my crowns). I even regularly swim with my 50m resistant Speedmaster.
How about precious metal with chlorine?
I just avoid all these and not wear them for swimming...Steel watches I will do so too.
You're concerned with gold, one of the most inert metals around?
See... Also, keep in mind that then gold case of your watch is fine but the steel movment has corroded.
Most watch cases are not pure gold, but gold alloys right?
I read that chlorine is bad for them.
You can believe and wear your watches as wish you can ignore the chemistry.
In the end, you do what you feel makes you comfortable.
Precisely why I don't swim in any of my watches.
Simply not worth the risk. I have several watches with "depth ratings" between100 & 300 meters, and so far I have not seen the need to swim wearing any of them. Sorry this happened to your watch.
I hope it does not cost too much.
Whatever it sells for on chrono is irrelevant. If it was an investment, don't wear in the water (never understand this) . Since you were wearing and enjoying, it's just a gaff which happens in the life of a watch. Get it fixed and continue to wear and enj...
I've seen this happen before. Your fears are correct. A $10K to $20K repair bill is in your horizon.
Be prepared to pay around $20K for a new movement. I've seen this happen before on a Nautilus. A new movement was needed. New movement cost almost as much as a new watch (retail price). Around 70% of the retail price if I recall correctly. I could be off ...
Welcome to the forum! I see this is your first day and first post!
Hopefully you get good advice on this forum. All the advice given is actually very relevant and excellent advice. I've added my own advice as I've witnessed two similar situations, both with steel Nautilus watches. Hopefully this isn't your last post - a ...
Just tell people a famous designer wore your watch
Like the black AP from that Karl fella
Thanks for joining my forum, and sorry it happened under these unfortunate circumstances! I believe you acted properly given the situation; now you can only wait on Patek to contact you with an estimate and an update on the condition of your Aquanaut.
One thing is for certain, irrespective of the damage suffered by your beautiful 5167: it WILL be returned to you in like-new condition, after Patek's (obviously expensive) revision ;-) Like Moderator Patrick was suggesting, I do appreciate it if you updat...
Adding few points to the comments by the wise members here
Sorry it happened to you, hope it will be not so painful process. 1. I Swim almost daily with any of my watches rated 100m and up, no issues, I just check the crown as a habit!. 2. Watch value has nothing to do with cost repair. a Meteorite GMT costs 4X o...
Cost is what it is…be prepared to wait
I just sent in my 5968 for service in mid October. Was given a timeframe of end of February to return. I have no idea what the cost to fix this will be- 20k seems excessive but this will likely take 12 months to get back. Mine was 5 months for a simple se...
Waiting time 💭
Thanks , yea I’m aware this is going to take 4-9 months possibly to have it restored By Stern Agency.. I was so sad to hand it over ugh ! Silver lining, it will have a great story to hand it over to my son one day 😊 it’s in good hands now and I’ll just se...
A warm welcome to our Patek forum !
Glad you enjoy your aquanaut in the water 💦👍 Patek service center will make it perfect again. Any idea how the crown got loose ? Your experience will help the rest of us. Please keep us updated and hope to see happier posts from you.
Very unfortunate but an infinite number of things could happen (to you) that, believe it or not, could be worse. Crowns are either screwed in sufficiently or not, gaskets are either fresh
enough to do their job or not. Those are the only two options. The gold and glass will be fine. Everything else needs pricey attention but just do it, it's worth it. Eventually it will be just a great story connected to a great watch!
Service center PP
Hi - sorry to hear this but this BAU for PP service centres … and such service is not so costly / please go to an AD so that you can do it through PP - important 😉
1st update : Called PP stern NY
Just called NY stern agency , 1st good news update Sofar is : examining and estimate of repairs are within 5-9 business days since it’s not a vintage time piece. I was already looking at 3-4 weeks on that alone . 🙏
Sorry to hear about your misfortune
I am confident PP will return your watch as new. Since it just happened, I think they should be able to remove most/all corrosion and there will be no need for a new movement. I always check my crown(s) before getting into the water. One piece of advice w...
Update :
Thanks for the advice , yes I called already today the PP stern Agency NY - asked what the process is Since my watch is arriving today in their office. The corrosion was active for at least 4-7 days now .. it could damage a lot inside .. smh 🤦♂️ PP servi...