Wrist Watches and washing your hands.

[captain spaulding]

Alright I have a few question that I need to get a general consensus on. It's all about washing your hands with your watch on. Do you leave your watch on or take it off? Obviously if it is not water resistant you would take it off, but for the sake of argument lets assume it is a waterproof watch. At least 50m. If you take it off than please explain why? If you leave it on is there a reason you do not take it off?

What about leather strap watches? I recently got a watch with a leather strap and I cannot bring myself to wear it while I wash my hands. Should I worry about my leather strap getting wet. I hate when I wash my hands (metal bracelet) with my watch on and I dry my hands of and leave a bit of water under the watch trapped between the strap/caseback and my wrist. So what do you all say. Any input on any of my blathering would be appreciated.

[Steinar]

First of all, wrissmurfches are basically unhygienic. There's a reason nurses never carry one. Since that level of hygiene is unnecessary for most of, I simply push my wrissmurfch a little bit farther up the wrist and leave it on while washing my hands. I don't like a too tight strap, so I mostly avoid trapping water. This goes both when carrying a leather or steel strap.

(And yes, I wrote it as one word to have some smurfs. )

Edit: And I leave it on just because I'm lazy. Or don't want to waste time. Whatever sounds better.

[nuphoria]

I tend to leave mine on - I suppose it depends whether it's a quick wash or I'm trying get to something worse off like oil or paint.

I use a lot of nylon straps and my watches are waterproof, so now and again I take one in the bath with me and scrub it.

[Zed]

For my job I wash my hands a lot and although most wear a fob type watch (not a rule) I wear a wrissmurfch and cover it with the latex gloves so not too cross infection,but I wear my watch in the shower and while washing my hands, I also never take it off 

[stealth007s]

I leave mine on and don't get it wet if I can help it. I just don't feel like taking it off and possibly misplacing it.

[captain spaulding]

I guess I am the oddball than. I used to push it up on my arm a bit to try and avoid the water all together, but I do not wear my watch loose enough to do that anymore. I usually just take it off. 

[Steinar]

Wrissmurfches are slowly being killed off by cell phones, anyway. You are an oddball just for wearing one.

If it helps, l'm even weirder and often prefer a pocket watch.

[Gareth]

I guess I am the oddball than. I used to push it up on my arm a bit to try and avoid the water all together, but I do not wear my watch loose enough to do that anymore. I usually just take it off.

That's pretty much me.  I'll normally only take it off if I'm having to scrub my forearms for some reason.  Mostly it's just because I don't much like wearing a soggy watch.

[stealth007s]

Wrissmurfches are slowly being killed off by cell phones, anyway. You are an oddball just for wearing one.

If it helps, l'm even weirder and often prefer a pocket watch.

Not really I wear one on occasion.

[jzmtl]

I don't even think about it, my watches are waterproof and they'll be used as such. I've only had one leather strap and I waterproofed it with beeswax so water is not a concern.

[PTRSAK]

If I'm wearing my Seiko 5 military with the nylon webbing strap I tend to wash the watch as well as my hands. I find that the strap absorbs sweat and gets a bit stinky, but a regular rinse keeps it nice and fresh.
Hell, I sometimes don't even bother to take that watch off in the shower.

The Sportura Chrono that I got for my 50th I try to keep from going under the tap when I'm washing my hands, but I don't go as far as to take it off.

[captain spaulding]

So whats the deal on Leather watch bands. Is there a general rule about water or is it good either way.

[PTRSAK]

When I get something new in leather I usually give it a coat of Dubbin. Helps waterproof it AND stop it drying out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubbin

Also softens new work-boots up nicely so they mold to your feet rather than the other way around.

[enki_ck]

I used to wear a watch 24/7. Shower, sleep with it. ... not anymore. Now when I come home I take the watch off right away. Even if you watch out, the soap and water will build up a layer on the inside of your watch strap.

[derekmac]

The only time my watch comes off is when I take a shower, or I'm working on the car and I don't want my hand to get stuck (again).

[kmanct3]

I never take mine off except between 8 and 5 as i am an auto technician, but other than that its on at all times.

[Tecrsq]

Hello everyone, I wear my watch daily and never take it off, it has worked well for over 12 years as is and has survived the fire service and the part time ambulance jobs.

The watch gets wet often as the jobs are not always the driest or cleanest professions and has survived literally thousands of cycles of hand washing with no ill effects.

Its not pretty to look at but then again I'm a function over form person and the tritium hands are great for limited light moments.

[ducttapetech]

Wrissmurfches are slowly being killed off by cell phones, anyway. You are an oddball just for wearing one.

If it helps, l'm even weirder and often prefer a pocket watch.

Not really I wear one on occasion.

You are not alone, a pocket watch is all I use.

[Swiss Man]

98% of my watches are water resistance so I don't take them off while washing my hands or dishes.
Very seldom now I wear them in the shower.

[nate j]

I just don't bother to take my watch off before washing my hands.  I wear only divers on bracelets these days, so it certainly doesn't hurt the watch if it gets wet.  I also tend to keep them loose enough that trapped water underneath is not a major issue.  I don't routinely wear a watch into the shower, but will do so periodically so I can give it a good scrubbing.

With regard to leather straps, I do think you have be careful to avoid contact with water.  This is one of the reasons I am not a fan of leather watch straps.

[Aloha]

generally speaking I don't wear watches that I cannot submerge into water. I never take mine off when washing my hands as i may wash the watch as well.  I also wear a slightly loose strap so water is not an issue and i don't have any leather straps.   

[Freudian Frog]

I just adjust and make sure not to splash water onto my left wrist.

[Roc]

If I'm wearing my ESQ(metal band)I take it off when I wash my hands. If I'm wearing my Victorinox with Zulu strap I push it up a bit on my wrist. It's very rare that I wear a watch though. Colder weather only for me.

[kkokkolis]

I don't take it off. If it has a leather strap I am careful. If it has a steel or plastic (all but one) I play with water. |I only swim and dive with my Casio that has a nice build of salt all around.

[pfrsantos]

I don't wash my hands. It's not a problem.

 

[David]

My watch stays on except at work where I'm forbidden to wear one.     

[captain spaulding]

My watch stays on except at work where I'm forbidden to wear one.     

I'm guessing you work around machines that might tear your arm off if you get something like a watch stuck in it. Am I close? 

[David]

My watch stays on except at work where I'm forbidden to wear one.     

I'm guessing you work around machines that might tear your arm off if you get something like a watch stuck in it. Am I close? 

That is part of it. The other part is I work in a asceptic packaging plant and they don't want my watch to fall off into the balance tank and end up in the product.     

[captain spaulding]

Yea that would be bad too. 

[JAfromMn]

I take my watch off when I wash my hands. When I have time to take it off anyway.

I get very dirty someday 's