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HELIUM ESCAPE VALVE
How to use the helium escape valve? (fig. 2)
In its normal position (fig. 2.1), the OMEGA helium escape valve is perfectly
watertight thanks to the gaskets (B), but it is not functional, since it is screwed
down.
During the decompression phase, unscrew the crown of the valve in order to
release the mechanism (fig. 2.2). The valve is now watertight from the outside.
As the interior pressure becomes greater than the exterior pressure, it pushes the
gasket (A) out of its seating, thus releasing the gas (fig. 2.3). Once the pressure is
equalised, gasket (A) returns to its original position, pushed by the spring (C) (fig.
2.2).
This operation is automatically repeated several times during the decompression
phase. Once atmospheric pressure is reached, screw down the crown of the valve
(fig. 2.1).
Note: Even if the valve is unscrewed, and we strongly recommend that the valve
remains screwed down whenever the watch is immersed in water, the watch is still
water-resistant to a relative pressure of 5 Bar (50 metres). However, complete
water-resistance to the dial depth can only be achieved with gasket (B) and the
valve in the screwed down position.
