subject: Last Time In The Pool This Summer - Look After Your Watch [print this page] Is my watch waterproof?
This is something which I get asked many times.
Firstly no watch is waterproof, watches are water resistant but only if it states it on the back of the watch or on the dial.
A watch which is water resistant should have printed on the dial or stamped on the watch case back a unit of measure known as an atmosphere (ATM) which is equivalent to 1 bar and the measurement in metres. 1 ATM is equivalent to 10 metres water resistant.
Different watches have different water resistances, in general these are as follows:
No resistance markings: Not suitable for any contact with water.
3ATM (30M): Resistant to accidental splashing or rain but not suitable for swimming.
5ATM (50M): Will resist water during swimming and immersion in water.
10ATM (100M): Will resist water during snorkelling, windsurfing and water skiing.
20ATM (200M): Will resist water for all the above and diving with air tanks.
It should be borne in mind with the above that the water resistance of a watch is carried out under laboratory conditions where the watch is held completely still with pressure being applied to the watch. In real life conditions pressure on a watch will increase by moving the watch quickly through water. Even jumping or diving into shallow water can increase the pressure on watch enough to damage the seal inside the watch case. People wearing a water resistant watch should enter the water slowly.
Any watch marked water resistant should be handled with care. When wearing a watch that will come in contact with water it is essential the wearer does not push any of the watch buttons or touch the crown (winder). To do so whilst near or in water will compromise the seal and allow water to enter the watch.
Also to be avoided is entering a hot tub, sauna or steam room wearing a watch. The warm moisture and air will compromise the watch seal much more quickly than in cooler conditions.
Watches should be checked periodically (for quartz watches when the battery is renewed) to ensure that the seals are in good condition and that the watches water resistance is maintained.
by: Mark Luton
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