Wrist Watches and Humidity

The humidity is also playing havoc with my watches. Condensation keeps building up under the crystal. This can be damaging to vintage timepieces. But it’s also a common problem with older watches where gaskets may have broken down with age, or seals compromised by opening the case back for servicing.

There are tricks to dry out your watch when it gets wet (I keep a box filled with those desiccant pouches that come inside Apsirin bottles, while others immerse their watches in white rice). But it’s best to avoid exposing the delicate mechanisms to moisture.

The only watch I have that hasn’t fogged up is my 1960s-era Eterna-Matic that I got last April. I’m still not crazy about the band, but it keeps good time and is also dainty enough that it won’t cause unsightly tan lines.