Wristwatch question

[looseleaf]

Hello, This isn’t a cigars-related question. However, as Rob is a watch guy, I thought this might be a good place to ask. If one is spending a lot of free time in saunas, steam rooms, and hot springs and wants to keep track of the time therein, what’s a good timepiece for the purpose? Thanks 🙏 

[LordAnubis]

Casio fw91? Gshock are a more pricier version. In theory steam and heat are the enemy of any gasket. 

[Shakey]

Something cheap that you won't mind destroying. It's not so much the water as the salt and chlorine that hurts seals and gaskets. You can get a G-Shock for $50USD and they are remarkably durable. 

[looseleaf]

I was thinking that a Bathing Ape X SINN EZM1 Lemania column wheel chronograph might be safe.

[Shakey]

You will kill the leather strap but the rest of the watch will be fine as long as it’s been serviced in the last 5 years. Throw it on a nato and enjoy the sauna. 

[Fuzz]

Why would you do that to a vintage Sinn?!

I'd steer clear of wearing any watch in a sauna that you don't want destroyed. Modern gaskets should be able to stand up to the task, but the conditions in a sauna will wear out the gaskets, strap and lubricants faster than normal. And if you forget to screw down your crown properly, there goes your watch.

If you must wear a watch in the sauna, get a cheap Casio. Just because an expensive watch can take the conditions, doesn't mean that it should.

[RDB]

These are not the answers you’re looking for…

[looseleaf]

These are all good answers. At first I thought that any good EN13319 rated dive watch would work but after a bit of research I found out about the IP rating system. Even IP69K rated gear can only withstand a temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit while the temperature in a sauna can easily reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit. The Milgauss and Ingenieur watches are antimagnetic but not heat and steam resistant. I guess I’ll go with a 15- or 20-minute sand timer instead of the Bathing Ape 

 

[raggie]

I’m wearing my GShock (DW5600E-1V) in the sauna as I type this. It has a timer but I just take note of when I enter and go for ~15-20mins

[BrightonCorgi]

I bring my iPhone into the sauna at +170F.  Set a timer and listen to music.

[Shakey]

19 hours ago, looseleaf said:

These are all good answers. At first I thought that any good EN13319 rated dive watch would work but after a bit of research I found out about the IP rating system. Even IP69K rated gear can only withstand a temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit while the temperature in a sauna can easily reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit. The Milgauss and Ingenieur watches are antimagnetic but not heat and steam resistant. I guess I’ll go with a 15- or 20-minute sand timer instead of the Bathing Ape

Good choice! The EN dive spec is mostly about being a safe timing tool - accurate, visible, noticeable failure modes, stuff like that. If you want a timer that will work in a hot environment around chemicals you’d be better off with a digital kitchen or bbq timer.