5 atm is a lot. Do you necessarily dive that deep with the watch? It is certainly waterproof for every conceivable use.

 

5atm is only 50 metres.

 

Have you ever dived at 50m? I certainly didn't, but if you try, your perspective will change about what is "only".

In recreational diving, a depth below about 30 metres (98 ft), where nitrogen narcosis becomes a significant hazard for some divers, may be considered a "deep dive".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_diving

Of course there is people like the OP here that nonchalantly does deep free diving in shark-infested waters, best of luck to him then

 

I regularly freedive to 20-30 metres, and of course the pressure test is only static and approximate.
So if I'm at 30 metres (3ATM) and start flailing my arms (e.g. because I see/fight a shark) then I'll no doubt exceed the static test pressure of approx 5ATM.
I know, a dodgy gasket will be the least of my issues under those circumstances but I really don't want my beloved Aqualand to die!

 

I totally understand your reasons to have a good seal, and agree that new seals are a must. But you are definitely over estimating the difference that dynamic pressure makes, it's very small indeed from swimming or "flailing" here's a post from the old forum about it , which estimates 0.1bar difference http://www.network54.com/Forum/7844...om/Forum/78440/message/1175458814/A+bit+more...and+the+myth+of+dynamic+pressure

 

I see you are in the UK, but you may try Hurley roberts here in the states. I haven't gone as far with my Aqualands to do a full gasket replacement, but plan to eventually...let us know what you find & good luck!

 

Thanks for all the advice.

I agree that manufacturers 'underestimate' when stating a static ATM pressure. My 5ATM test, however, is just that, an actual reading, so I know there is an issue long before my C023's stated depth rating of 200 metres. Even though dynamic pressures may not be that much more than static pressures, at a depth of 30 metres I am just too close for comfort to the static test pressure of *approx* 5ATM. I could of course just not wear the watch when I go diving but it is a dive watch after all! There is also something very satisfying about having a 20 year-old Aqualand keeping track of my freedives.

As for diving depths, which I am sure could be a forum topic on its own, diving below 98ft is perfectly safe, albeit you can not stay at those depths for very long using a standard air mixture. When freediving nitrogen narcosis never becomes an issue - at any depth.

Back on point (apologies), I forgot to add Hurley Roberts to my original list. I have also tried the American chap on the bay that I have seen mentioned in other posts (sdcarbal.watch.repair). Both of them have also been unable to help. They have suggested "aftermarket gaskets" - LongBike?

 

Aloha ,
( Yes that was me that said that.... I have never used them at all. )
Most not to be used at all ..... " Disregard all A/M ", for these, not worth the destruction if you love them. Pressure is a very strange thing when diving
but if you want them to still be loved don't use them to dive.
I can say a little of it and can maybe prove a little with what I have collected.
( JMHO )
Louis / LongBike

 

ST supply, show gasket #393-1173 .

 

Thanks 7s26b

Using this website I can see a number of part numbers for the C023-088069: boley.de/en/case-parts/citizen/8821?search=4-088069
(I can't create a proper link as I have not yet made enough posts)

That website includes the "Bottom Gasket" (caseback I assume) and "Bezel Gasket", both of which I will order.

What other gaskets are there on this watch? Push-button? Depth sensor? Crown? Crystal?

 

Using this website I can see a number of part numbers for the C023-088069: boley.de/en/case-parts/citizen/8821?search=4-088069

Boley doesn't sell to individuals and not even to repairers without an already established accounbt.

 

The Boley website was just useful to have the part numbers available that I could then search for on the likes of ST Supply - I wasn't sure what gasket "#393-1173" was that 7s26b kindly suggested.

 

Yes on seals for the pushers, pressure sensor, crown, crystal, case back.
The bezel should have an o-ring in it too which provides compliance only - no sealing. When this o-ring becomes hardened, it can make removing the bezel a bit difficult.

 

Hi There -
New to the forum - but I just had one of these watches rebuilt (needed a new stepper motor after running since 1989) - the watchmaker can not get it to pass a seal test, he says it needs a new case back gasket - anyone know where I may be able to find one?

I tried ST Supply - but they said they are out of the gaskets and can't get them anymore

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

Crystal gasket is actually a nylon L shaped gasket and basically the crystal is pressed into place to make the seal.

I used to have loads of the caseback gaskets.
I may still have some in my inventory.

And yes they are like the proverbial hens teeth to get hold of.
Silicone greasing the originals can still work if the gasket is not badly compressed.

Plus The COx series Aqualand with its unusual caseback shape and 6 screws design was never really the best design for a trustworthy seal? And I have 46 of them!
Hence why the reissue Aqualand caseback became a standard screwdown design.

 

Agree' on these points.
Myself I have a few of them and I make my gaskets ( O-rings ) with a Mechanic's O-ring kit. I make my seals like I would make any seals
for when I worked in my field of work and still do.
I am a Fuel Injection and Re-builder of Many types of fuel Pumps also in line with Diesel and Mulit-Fuel Pumps, also Drag Racing parts when needed.
These watch's I use also and have dived with a few of them but I make extremely sure that those I have dived with were very much restored.
I would never use any of my Aqualands especially my C- Series and other like it and damage them with water leakages.
I cherish them to much to use them extensively. But they all are very water tight also.

I have struggled to much in collecting them so they don't get diving times.... " I prohibit them for diving use and I never ask any of them
if they want to go diving or even get wet .....hahahaha ".
It took a while when I first stared to collect my watch's, but once I did it then I used a couple of them.
I did not have any thing to use when I first started so by experiences in my line of work I developed my own and they work good too.

I strongly agree with ... Neilo and Scubarob99 and the shovel ... on their expressive points on ..." Case back / Crown Design ", and would only use a watch with a
screw down crown and a screw case back and on what is mentioned. Now if it was designed with a ... " Crystal locking Ring ", it would help a lot also.
The importance of those ... Nylon Crystal Gasket's is a very important part of these watch's. They are beautiful but one mistake and it will destroy
your cherished watch and damage them. I never have any watch I have with water.
A good and worthy ... " Computer / Diving watch " , will serve you much better for diving purposes.

When some one asks me .... " Do you dive with those Aqualand Watch's " , the hair on the back of my neck stands up and I say .... NO, NO,
" They are my cheris-ables " no way .....hahahaha.
Aloha

 

I wondered if a normal gasket could be shaped to fit the caseback - just for making it splash proof - rain etc

 

So is the consensus that these gaskets are just no longer available anywhere?

Josh

 

Aloha ,
They probably can be found yet but one has to really research to find them I would say. You can make them like I do for my own. I use a ....
" Mechanic's O-ring maker kit " . I also am a Fuel Injection Pump Certified Repair Guy so I have Kits for doing these things for mine.

I made a set up to hold and assemble ....The O-Ring material when making what I need and it works for me. All you have to do is fine the right size
( OD - , the right measured length and the right recommended Glue that is used for making these and know how to cut them properly.
Since it works for .... ( High Pressure Pumps ) , it has to work for this simple applications. I even have used it in the Ocean for a few watch's I have
and it works for me.

If you take your older but still usable gaskets to a .....( Fuel Injection Repair Guy ), he can match a lot of them for you and their size in thickness
but then you will have to ....( Measure length, Cut to length and then do the rest. )

Here is a little trick to do:
The O-ring material will be measured and made but it wont have the correct shape like for the original case back so you place it into some boiling water,
but not to long ....OK ?
_____________________________________________________
First :
But first make a Jig the shape of the original gasket.
Make it with some small wood dowel pegs or use some of those ....Tooth Pick and stick them onto a piece of board it will work good.
( Maybe drill the hole for the Pegs/ Tooth Picks and press them into the wood. ( I made a Plastic one for my uses.)
Now when it becomes just a little .... Hot it will soften ... then quickly place it on the Jig and let it cool and it will become the shape of the .... (Old One )
and then can be used.
( Remember it has to retain the correct ...Diameter Size when it cools then for use. )
NOTE: ( Do not over stretch the new one ) .... just enough to be the size of the old and it will work great.
Louis

 

hey why has no one contacted Adrian and have him make the CO23 gaskets?...he makes them for everything else?...