I jumped into the pool with my Tudor Black Bay. I looked down and saw condensation under the crystal. I realized with horror that I had left the crown unscrewed after setting the time. The movement rusted solid. I filed a claim. The adjuster asked: “Did the seals fail, or did you fail to close the case?”
Key Takeaways
- User Error is Covered (Usually): “All Risk” policies cover stupidity. Forgetting to screw down the crown is an “accident,” not “wear and tear.”
- The “Gradual Damage” Trap: If you let the watch sit with water in it for a month until it rusts, they can deny it for “Failure to Protect” or “Gradual Deterioration.” You must act immediately.
- Salt Water is Fatal: Salt water corrodes a movement in hours. If you don’t get it to a watchmaker same-day to be opened and dried, the damage becomes “total loss.”
- Pressure Tests: If you claim the seals failed, the insurer might demand a pressure test. If it passes, they know you left the crown open.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Negligence vs. Accident.”
Insurance covers sudden, accidental events.
If the seals were old and cracked (lack of maintenance) and water got in, that is “Wear and Tear” (Excluded).
If the seals were fine but you left the crown open, that is an “Accident” (Covered).
Ironically, admitting you made a mistake (left crown open) gets you paid, while blaming the watch (old seals) might get you denied.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Policy Language)
I reviewed the exclusions for water.
Hodinkee / Chubb
- The Language: “We cover physical loss or damage…”
- The Verdict: Covered. They view user error as a covered peril.
Jewelers Mutual
- The Verdict: Covered. I’ve seen them pay for “Water damage due to open crown.”
Manufacturer Warranty (Rolex/Omega)
- The Reality: Denied. Warranties cover manufacturing defects. Water intrusion is almost always flagged as user error or maintenance failure. You need insurance for this.
[IMAGE: Macro photo of a rusted mechanical movement with water droplets on the rotor]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Insurance Payout | Warranty Payout |
| Open Crown (User Error) | Yes (Accident) | No |
| Failed Gasket (Old Age) | No (Maintenance) | No (Unless <5 years) |
| Failed Gasket (Defect) | Yes | Yes |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Pull the Crown: If water gets in, pull the crown out to stop the movement (hack it) and let moisture vent.
- Rush to a Watchmaker: Do not put it in rice (that’s a myth for phones, bad for watches dust-wise). Get it to a pro to open the caseback immediately.
- File the Claim: State the facts clearly. “I accidentally entered the water with the crown unsecured, resulting in immediate water ingress.”
- Do Not Wait: If you wait 2 weeks and it rusts, the insurer will say you failed to mitigate the loss.
FAQ
Is condensation normal?
Slight fog that goes away? Maybe. Droplets? No. That is ingress.
Does insurance pay for the full service?
Yes. A water damage repair requires a full movement tear-down and clean. Cost: $800 – $1,500. Insurance covers this minus deductible.
What if the dial is ruined?
They pay to replace the dial. On vintage watches, this is a tragedy (value loss). On modern, it’s just a part.