Digital Crown not working

I have a similar question to one already answered, but the suggested solution is not working. After having my watch for about a week, it suddenly displayed, "turn digital crown to unlock and eject water." Though there was an electrical storm (thunder and lightening) this evening, I wasn't even in the rain, but back to the subject. I tried pushing in and turning the Digital Crown, and I tried NOT pushing in and turning the Digital Crown, then I tried turning the Digital Crown slowly and then rapidly. Nothing is working. I tried forcing the watch to turn off by pressing both the Digital Crown and the side button. Though it did go blank, it immediately came back on displaying the apple and then booting on up with the same message. I have taken the watch off and put it in a bag of rice??? I know, this all sounds crazy, but I find it VERY frustrating to be having technical problems with this watch after only a weeks use. Can anyone help out with this most frustrating problem?