What to do immediately if the watch got wet and you are worried about damage. Educational emergency guidance only.
1. Remove the watch from water right away.
2. Dry the outside with a soft cloth.
3. Do not operate the crown underwater or while wet if it was open.
4. Do not use high heat such as a hairdryer on hot setting.
5. Do not ignore internal fog or droplets.
A watch can look fine outside and still have moisture inside. External drying is not the same as professional case opening and cleaning.
My watch got wet. What should I do first?Get it out of the water, dry the exterior, and check for fog under the crystal.
Is salt water worse?Yes. Salt residue can corrode more aggressively. Seek service faster.
Crown was open in water. Is that bad?Yes. That is one of the highest-risk situations for water ingress.
Can rice save it?Do not rely on rice. Professional drying and sealing checks are the real path.