GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SeaQ DIN & ISO Diver's CERTIFICATION

Here’s some technical blurb for the geeks and aspiring watchmakers out there, on the extensive testing and certification of Glashütte Original’s SeaQ diver’s models that debuted last year.



You can see the great lengths taken, the sheer attention to detail paid as well as all of the high-tech testing equipment used by Germany’s top watchmaker.



The SeaQ was inspired by an historic diver's watch from 1969, the Spezimatic Typ RP TS 200. It was released in a trio that included: the SeaQ, SeaQ Panorama Date and SeaQ 1969.



All models in the series are DIN and ISO certified diver’s watches so meet the rigorous German and international standards of quality, particularly with regard to water-resistance.



One of the more remarkable features of the GO’s new diver's watch is its intensive testing for conformance with German as well as international quality standards.



Because a SCUBA diver's life is actually on the line, the functioning of his watch has to be absolutely flawless.



As a result, Glashütte Original's design engineers and watchmakers developed the SeaQ to ensure maximum reliability, a fundamental objective of any dive watch.



Each and every watch was tested and analyzed in-house for conformance with DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standards in order to ensure the robustness of the individual functional elements.



During the process, each SeaQ watch is tested for water-resistance, air tightness at over and under-pressure, shock-resistance, resistance to salt-water corrosion among many other criteria.



First up is the [Test for Moisture]. 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.



Next up is the [Determination of Resistance at Under and Overpressure]. The SeaQ is exposed to an under-pressure 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.



Now for the [Water-Resistance Test and External Drying]. The first phase includes the watch being 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.



Finally a [Test for Moisture After Testing]. In this final step, the SeaQ is once again heated for 30 minutes to 40-45°C.



Afterwards a wet piece of felt is once again placed for one minute upon the upper surface of the glass.



If no condensation appears on the inner surface of the glass, bingo - the watch has successfully passed the test series without having being breach by any water.



Lastly [The 24-day Test]. Not only does the SeaQ meet the stringent DIN and ISO standards for diver's watches, but it must also undergo the same demanding in-house 24-day test of any GO.

After successful completion of the test, each SeaQ gets an individual certificate document.



The initial deliveries of the SeaQ began in mid-September: the first watches are already available from Glashütte Original Boutiques in Germany and Austria.

They will soon be made available to all of the GO Boutiques and ADs, worldwide.