What You Should Know About Water Resistance in Watches

Have you ever wondered if your watch is waterproof? And what does the rating on the back of watches like a Rolex Submariner or OMEGA Seamaster actually mean? First and foremost, water-resistant and waterproof are not the same thing. The difference may seem trivial, but a watch should never be considered waterproof. We take a minute to look at some of the more common water resistance ratings and explain what they actually mean.

[CrownandCaliber]

They're plenty of differing opinions out there about water resistance, waterproof and what these terms actually mean. These are our watchmaker's thoughts, recommendations, and best practices to keep your watch safe and working for years to come.

[JakeAikens]

I have a Victorinox GS Chronograph. Over the past 8 years it has rarely left my wrist. Showering, swimming, hot tubs, car washing... never has there been a problem. It’s had three battery changes in that time and the AD has never remarked on water damage. It does not have a screw down crown, but I have had the seals replaced whenever it needed a battery. I think grey market companies like yourselves are scared to death of having to honor a warrantee claim so you tell people never get your $14k DIVERS Watch wet or it will break.

[NoizeTank]

2:42
I’m pretty sure 200 meters is the standard rating for a dive watch.

[unclelyubo]

I had a 5ATM watch and swam with it all the time, even went shallow diving, showered everyday with it and there was no problem ever...

[davidkaplan]

“In accordance with the standard for this type of watch, all Rolex divers’ watches are tested at their guaranteed waterproofness depth plus an additional 25 per cent. This effectively means that in the laboratory, within a hyperbaric tank developed jointly by Rolex and Comex, the Rolex Deepsea (which is guaranteed waterproof to 3, 900 metres) is subjected to the pressure exerted at 4, 875 metres deep.”

[dwightlooi]

If you are worried that your watch may be damaged by swimming or immersion in water, YOU CANNOT AFFORD THAT WATCH. Wear something else! I always swim with 30m watches and I never had a problem. I also service my watches and replace seals every 5~6 years. Most importantly, I am comfortable with the unlikely possibility of damaging my watch. If a watch costs more than I am comfortable with potentially losing, I won't buy it! It's that simple.

[PineapplePizza]

This video is completely inaccurate. It's extra frustrating it pretends to be an educational video. 100M watches are honestly suitable for even some forms of diving, let alone alone swimming. 200M is probably greater than anything most people need.

[davidcoleman]

Wait . My Seiko skxo13 is ISO certified 200 M. I think I can swim with it . Lol

[factorybear]

My first Timex that my dad got me in 1988, when I was 8 was a very plain black plastic model . Maybe 18 bucks at a chain drugstore in New Jersey. It had the little blue waves on the front and it said water resistant on the stainless steel back which was held in place by 4 little screw. I wore that watch nonstop for like 4 years. We had a pool that i spent my entire summer vacations in. We went to the beach a lot and i never ever took it off. Never fogged up or condensed on me. Ever! I recently found it, and bought a battery and a cheap new plastic strap for it and it still works. It was hard getting the 33 year old gasket to fit perfectly back between the case and the ss case back, but it did. And no, I won’t submerge it anymore,

[jean-marie]

have a casio. Water resist, not even 3ATM. I shower with it every day, swim and do nautic activities. It works just fine

[billcore]

Ok watch Rant from a certified diver!!!! First of all, I do not know one, not one scuba diver who actually wears a watch diving. We all wear dive computers for a reason and if you know anything about diving you’ll know why! Certified OW divers are not allowed to dive deeper than 40 Meters... 4 bars!!! And this is about 75% of the dive community. Free divers are unique but also rely on dive computers. Any scuba diver certified to dive deeper than 40 M is a technical diver. However at 500M or deeper you reaching saturation levels.... and the record 701 M... again no dive watches for a functional reason.

It is rather irritating hearing watch geeks talk as if they understand or know diving and water resistance. Luxury watches are simply toys for adults, these are not tools and no one that I am aware still uses a dive watch. And if I did it would be seiko cause you can get it beat up and not worry about it... plus 40M is only about 120 ft.... this is where the majority of divers dive or less.

I am just putting perspective on this video. He was thorough but he should put the “so what” meaning to the video...

[watchalot]

I have dived with 100m watches without a screw down crown. I did this before knowing anything about watches, and got away with it. Watches don't have to be ISO tested, so it kind of makes a mockery out of the whole thing anyway. A dive watch does not need a screw down crown if the gasket is placed on the stem, and is simply a precaution. I presently own two quality 200m watches without screw down crowns. You are absolutely right to point out that the rating is based on STATIC pressure, as movement can easily increase the pressure x5. I am a great believer that watches should be rated A, B, C, D, and not by depth rating.

[rousseau]

I always laugh when people make a comparison, such as the one you made about the Sea Dweller/Planet Ocean and the Porsche Turbo. No one needs the 500hp, but it's something that you can feel every single time you drive it. For the typical person who just takes their watches swimming, or recreational diving, the 300m variants would work just as well. For the typical person who wants a fast car, the ~300hp Cayman will feel worlds different from the ~500hp 911 Turbo.

[davidagudelo]

Informative video, thank you. May I suggest also reviewing the manufacturer's operating instructions for guidance regarding water resistance. For example, IWC states that "at 6 bar it will have no problem with water sports or snorkelling".

[M.BenyamiN-Azim]

Tankyou this video is so helpful tanks ❤

[brandonshriver]

I see it as a risk/security analysis.
I have swam in the ocean (surface, not diving) with a 30m rated Timex. I had no issues, that watch still ticks away several years later. I don't swim with my 30m rated Omega Speedmaster. Why? Well, I can buy a new Timex for <$50, but an unplanned service on the Omega is over $700. The Omega is presumedly made as well as the Timex and would also survive, but I'm not willing to risk $700+ when I have better options available.

Also recall that proper dive watches with 200m+ ratings are throwbacks to a time when the dive watch was a life or death instrument for the diver, so having a substantial margin of safety makes sense. I doubt the average Submariner, or Seamaster buyer of today is buying such a watch for use as a professional diver with their life on the line, so for most, water damage is at worst an inconvenience that can be rectified by a service.

[rabbi]

Will the watch get damaged if i push the chronograph pushers in a mug i do own a tagheuer aquaracer 300m quartz watch.

[InGratitudeIam]

Dive equipment, including watches, should be rated to at least twice the working pressure. That means if your dive is at 100 feet, approximately 33 meters (where sunlight disappears and there's not much to see) you should have a watch rated around 66 meters. Actually, 50 meters is adequate as most dives are in the 10 - 20 meter range. The problem is knowing the viability of the seals. In all actuality, a relative new, or recently serviced, watch rated for 50 meters will handle the rigors imposed by a shower or regular swimming (not diving), if the seals are in great shape. Hot tubs are to be avoided.

[Robin]

Omega speedmaster of 7k is no swimming. My Casio fw91, holiday watch for $15 Swims with me for at least 8 years. Holiday done? In a drawer without special care. Never ever a problem.

[NOSKIPPIN]

I’m yet to find a video that explains this well. I’ve been swimming in a few cheap Casio’s for years, and a lesser resistant Seiko, not one issue with any of them. To say you can only just watch your hands is ridiculous.