You glance at your watch to check the time and do a double take. How did moisture manage to slip beneath the casing of a watch that was supposed to be waterproof? Before you begin to panic over a case of false advertising, check out what some watch enthusiasts are saying about the appearance of moisture in watches, and what you can do about it.
Chilly Winter Weather; Wipe the Exterior of your Watch before Placing it in the Sun
The chilly winter weather is one of the main reasons why watches get wet. Your watch can fog up instantly if you walk outside in the cold and then come inside to a warm environment with the heater on.
If you have left your watch immersed underwater for an extended period of time, [that] might also be the problem.
Watches shouldn't be left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. The materials of the watch shouldn't be greatly harmed by the sun, though, if it is only for a few minutes or hours.
To remove excess moisture, wipe the exterior of your watch before placing it in the sun. After that, leave your watch on your patio or garden for a few minutes, ensuring it faces the sun, or until you see that the moisture has entirely evaporated.
Scratches on the Watch; Leave the Watch in a Bowl of Uncooked Rice
Scratches on a watch may seem like a minor issue, but a scratch can actually allow liquids to enter your watch and affect the internal components. Even something as natural as rain could slip into the watch [through] the scratches, and this could affect the performance and lifespan of the watch.
You can attempt to remove the moisture from the watch without actually damaging it. Before phones were waterproof, you probably tried to fix your phone by putting it into rice after dropping it into water, and the same applies to watches. Rice draws out the moisture and should have your watch looking like its old self.
Temperature, Sweat, Tampering; Avoid Water and Extreme Temperatures
Mostly, watches fog up because of temperature differences. That’s not the only reason, though. A sweaty wrist (some people have this) also causes your watch to moisturize. To prevent fogging, handle the watch with care, avoiding exposure to water and abrupt temperature changes. Also, consider refraining from wearing it in damp conditions and storing it in a dry environment.
Additionally, tampering with your watch could lead to some unwanted damage and, ultimately, moisture inside. To avoid this issue, always [dry the watch after] you go into the water with [it]. Use of absorbents like silica gel is also effective. Never heat it up, and as a last resort seek professional help for a timely resolution, preventing further complications and potentially costly repairs.
Loose or Damaged Crown or Gasket; Use Heat Sources
A loose or damaged crown or gasket is one of the most common causes of moisture in a watch. The crown is that little twisty thing on the side of your watch, and if it's not snug or if the gasket is worn out, moisture can find its way in.
You can use heat sources to fix the problem. You can place your watch underneath a lamp for a few hours or overnight. The heat from the bulb will help to remove the condensation inside the case. Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer to blow some hot air towards the watch. Just make sure not to get the blow dryer too close to the watch.
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