Existing test water lubrication bearing characteristics of the important characterisation parameter water film pressure of the many methods, because the sensor distance from the real measurement point is far away, or trauma to the shaft system is large and other reasons, the accurate water film pressure empirical data is difficult to obtain, restricting the bearings of further research and development. In response to these challenges, a new monitoring method is proposed in which thinfilm sensors are embedded in bearing shingles, while pressure data are transmitted via wireless sensing. Firstly, the physical model of axial tile grooved bearing is established, and the location, structure and number of grooves are determined by finite element analysis of axial tile deformation near the grooves; A physical model of the bearing fluid domain and solid domain is established to simulate and analyse the water film pressure distribution; Then, a thin film sensor calibration method is proposed to calibrate it accurately; Finally, a multi-operating condition bearing water film pressure test experiment is carried out, it is compared and analysed with the simulation results and existing methods. The results of the study show that it is feasible to embed a thin film sensor in the groove of the bearing shaft tile and transmit the data wirelessly, and the measured data of water film pressure deviates less than 10% from the simulation results, which is more accurate than the measured data of existing methods. The water film pressure decreases along the axial direction, and there exists a part of lubrication film inside the bearing in a mixed lubrication state.