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).
Watch with a corrector incorporated in the helium valve: to make a correction, the helium valve must be fully screwed in.
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.
Automatic helium escape valve: if your watch is equipped with an automatic helium escape valve, no manipulation is required.
