Waterproof Watches: How Water Resistant Are Your Watches Really?
Anyone who owns a luxury watch knows that water and humidity can be fatal enemies. For this reason, various manufacturers equip their timepieces with more or less effective protection mechanisms against the elements, proudly indicating the depth rating on the dial. Unfortunately, many watch owners take this information too literally, resulting in disappointment when their watch suffers damage from contact with water. But what exactly do water resistance ratings mean, and when is a watch truly considered waterproof? In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about water resistance in watches.
What do the water resistance ratings of a watch mean?
In Germany, the German Institute for Standardization specifies the point at which a watch is considered waterproof in the DIN 8310 standard. This standard corresponds to the international standard ISO 2281 and stipulates that the watch must first be able to withstand a pressure of 1 meter for 30 minutes. It must then withstand the pressure corresponding to a water depth of 20 meters for 90 seconds, without affecting its functionality. We see, therefore, that this is more than a water resistance test: it's a pressure resistance test. Understanding this aspect is crucial because it explains why a watch declared to be water resistant to 30 meters is actually only resistant to splashes of water. The specification simply states that the watch can withstand the pressure prevailing at a water depth of 30 meters. In this case, that's 3 bar, a pressure that can easily be generated by a faucet or vigorous swimming. This means you don't have to dive 30 meters deep to push your watch to its limits!
Meters, feet, ATMs, bars: how do you read the various specifications?
Unfortunately, every manufacturer has its own way of indicating the water resistance of its watches on the dial. The commonly used units of measurement are “m” for meters, “ft” for feet, “bar” or even “ATM”. But what do these specifications mean in terms of actual water resistance? Meters and feet indicate the depth at which a given pressure is found. In this case, conversions may be necessary. To convert feet to meters, simply divide the value by a factor of 3.281. Using the value in meters, you can then obtain the pressure by multiplying by 0.1. Let's take the example of a watch whose dial indicates water resistance up to 1,000 feet. If we divide by 3.281, we get 304.79 meters, a value that, rounded to 300 and multiplied by 0.1, corresponds to a pressure of 30 bar. On some dials, the unit of measurement ATM (or, to be more precise, atm) is also found. This value indicates the physical atmosphere and therefore also pressure. However, it has not been officially used since 1977 and was replaced by the unit of measurement "bar" on January 1, 1978. While atm indicates the air pressure at mean sea level, the unit of measurement bar measures hydrostatic pressure. Converted, 1 ATM equals 1.01325 bar. This corresponds exactly to the pressure prevailing at a water depth of 10 meters. Therefore, for every 10 meters of depth, 1 atm, or approximately 1 bar of hydrostatic pressure, is added to the pressure prevailing in the Earth's atmosphere.
Washing your hands, taking a shower, diving deep: what can your watch withstand?
To find out whether you can dive with your watch on vacation or if it's better to keep it dry, let's see how much water your timepieces can resist based on the indicated water resistance specifications:
- Dustproof | Dustproof: A watch labeled as dustproof or dust-resistant should always be kept away from water! Although such a watch is protected from dust particles, water can still penetrate more or less unhindered.
- WR | Water Resistant | Waterproof: The watch can withstand some splashes of water and raindrops, but prefers dry environments and should therefore be kept away from large amounts of water.
- 30 m | 3 bar | 3 ATM: The watch is splash-proof. Washing your hands, getting a few drops of rain, or doing the dishes isn't a problem, but it's best to avoid wearing it in the shower.
- 50 m | 5 bar | 5 ATM: The watch can be worn in the bath or shower. However, it is not suitable for swimming. It is also best not to hold the watch directly under the shower head, as pressure spikes could damage it.
- 100 m | 10 bar | 10 ATM: From this value, the watch is more free to move in the water. Exploring just below the surface is no problem for watches that are water-resistant to 10 bar.
- 200 m | 20 bar | 20 atm and above: Models with water resistance of 200 m (20 bar) and above are true diving watches with which you can dive with complete peace of mind. For even greater safety, you can also opt for professional tool watches such as the Rolex Deepsea or the Omega Planet Ocean Ultra Deep , capable of resisting up to 3,900 metres (390 bar) and 6,000 metres (600 bar) respectively.
| Depth indication | Pressure resistance up to | Wash your hands | Shower, bath | Swimming, snorkeling | Diving |
| Protected from dust | – | – | – | – | – |
| WR | – | – | – | – | – |
| 30 m / 100 ft | 3 bars | x | – | – | – |
| 50 m / 165 ft | 5 bars | x | x | – | – |
| 100 m / 330 ft | 10 bars | x | x | x | – |
| 200 m / 660 ft | 20 bars | x | x | x | x |
Where can I find the water resistance specifications of a watch?
Water resistance is usually indicated directly on the watch, typically on the dial or case back, or in the instruction manual. If you can't find any information, it's possible the watch isn't waterproof at all, but at most dustproof. In this case, it's essential to avoid any contact with water. Typical weak points through which moisture can enter the watch are openings: the case back, the edge around the crystal, the crown holes, and any buttons are therefore typically sealed with rubber, plastic, or cork. Before entering the water, make sure the crown and any buttons are screwed down. Furthermore, to avoid damage, it's best to avoid operating the crown or buttons while in the water.
How to keep your watch waterproof for a long time
To maintain your watch's water resistance for a long time, it's a good idea to follow some proper care instructions. For example, it's advisable to avoid exposing your watch to extreme temperatures or temperature changes, as these can compromise the seals and make them porous. On hot days or if you wear your watch during sports, remember to wipe it with a soft cloth to remove sweat, as bacteria contained in sweat can also attack the seals. Contact with creams, detergents, or acidic substances can also potentially damage a watch's water resistance. In general, having your watch tested for water resistance at regular intervals is a good practice. An annual service ensures that your watch won't be damaged by your next dive.
Popular waterproof watches for men and women
To conclude we have collected some waterproof watches for men and women to make a great impression both on the beach and at aperitifs.
Reliable men's watches for all water activities
The first watch on our little list is, it goes without saying, Rolex . After all, it was the Geneva-based manufacturer that launched the Rolex Oyster, one of the first watches with a waterproof case, in 1926. The Oyster case is still ubiquitous in the Rolex catalogue today and can be found, among others, in the Rolex Datejust . The Oyster architecture gives this legendary dress watch a water resistance of 100 m (10 bar). The Datejust is therefore the perfect watch for every day and practically all occasions.
Omega also has a long tradition of producing waterproof watches. With the The Biel-based luxury watch manufacturer Seamaster Diver 300M offers a series of models that bridge the gap between dress watches and tool watches. The watch is water-resistant to 300 meters (30 bar) and features a helium escape valve, making it suitable for saturation diving. Omega adds a wave pattern to the dial to emphasize the watch's maritime character. The Diver 300M is available in numerous color and material combinations, ranging from the classic stainless steel model with a black dial to the Moonshine gold variants with an olive green dial and bezel. And since the Diver 300M is James Bond's favorite service watch, the collection offers a whole series of special editions dedicated to 007.
Watch lovers on a budget don't have to give up waterproof watches. One example is the Seiko 5 Sports. The stainless steel watch is water resistant to 100 meters (10 bar), has a unidirectional rotating diving bezel, and is powered by the in-house Seiko caliber 4R36, which, in addition to being highly accurate, also displays the date and day of the week. This is a timepiece that offers a lot at a fraction of the price of a Swiss-made watch.
Waterproof women's watches for all situations
Perfect embodiment of the social life in yacht clubs Yacht-Master 37 (Ref. 268621) is far more elegant than you might expect from a reliable regatta timer. This sporty all-rounder features a 37 mm two-tone red gold and stainless steel case, a chocolate brown sunray dial, a date window at 3 o'clock, and the trademark Rolex water resistance of 100 m (10 bar). So, if you're looking for a reliable women's watch for swimming, snorkeling, or sailing, this model won't disappoint.
If you are looking for a sparkling accessory, the Breitling Chronomat 28 with reference A72310531G1A1 is definitely worth a look. The 28 mm stainless steel case is water resistant to 100 meters (10 bar) and is paired with the series' signature Rouleaux bracelet. The mother-of-pearl dial shimmers in dark gray tones and is adorned with diamonds marking the hours. Gemstones are also found on the bezel.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 It's a pure women's diving watch. Made of stainless steel, it has a diameter of 30 mm and can withstand a water pressure of 20 bar (200 meters). TAG Heuer offers the watch in numerous variations. You can choose between models with automatic or quartz movements, different dial colors, and diamond-set versions to ensure you don't sacrifice style even in the water.
(Chrono24)