Understanding Water Resistance Ratings: A Guide for Watch Buyers

Congratulations! You have finally come across a watch that is stylish, made of quality material, and fits your personality. Before you dive in (pun intended), there's one crucial detail to consider: Is your watch water resistant? 

Despite the Swiss-made symbol of luxury, a great timepiece can turn into a soggy mess in no time if you do not know what you are dealing with. This guide will teach you about various tests so that you get a water resistant watch that will withstand any situation that you may encounter. 

Demystifying Water Resistance: Not a Diving Licence

To clarify, water resistance is not the same as being waterproof. The key difference is that a watch with a WR rating is able to withstand a certain amount of pressure exerted by water. A watch with 100m WR means that it is waterproof, and you can take it diving up to a depth of 100 metres, though in a laboratory environment. Real-world conditions like the temperature of water, any abrupt twist or turn, and even the type of chemical, all influence the water resistance capabilities of a watch.

Here's what water resistance ratings truly represent:

Pressure Resistance: It shows the depth of pressure they can handle, which could be in metres (m), atmospheres (ATM), or bars (BAR). It measures that one atmospheric pressure is equal to approximately 10 m of water depth or that of sea level.

Decoding the Numbers: Choosing the Right Watch for Your Lifestyle

Now, let's delve into what the different water resistance ratings mean for your everyday activities:

• No Rating/3 ATM (30 metres): These watches are good for those who do not mind getting their watches wet once in a while or for occasions such as light showers. Do not wash, swim, or fully immerse them in water, as the material gets easily damaged by water.

• 5 ATM (50 metres): Good for hand washing and light rainfall, best for casual wear or non-routine outdoor wear in clean environments. But there are certain activities for which it is advised not to go, such as swimming and diving.

• 10 ATM (100 metres): Perfect when swimming and snorkelling. It can be used in moderate water pressure situations, but is not suitable for deep diving or activities that have a high impact force from the water.

• 20 ATM (200 metres) & Above: These watches can stand the harshest water activities, and that is why they are tagged as such. It is good for swimming, snorkelling, and you can do a form of recreational diving as well, depth-wise.

Important Considerations:

• Water Resistance Over Time: The gaskets and seals that make the device watertight can wear out or get damaged by chloride and salts. It is recommended that the watch be taken at least once a year to a professional watchmaker for servicing to ensure the water resistance is always maintained.

• Hot and Cold: Proof of the stress that it places on the seals, so do not change your water-resistant watch from a hot sauna to a cold water pool.

• Crown and Pushers: These are some of the points through which water can enter a building. Always make sure that the crown is screwed down, and do not use pushers underwater on models that have a chronological feature.

Understanding Activity Levels: Matching Your Watch to Your Needs

Now is the time your understanding of your own lifestyle becomes vital. Have you been a casual swimming person who goes swimming occasionally, maybe during the weekends? Not a leisure diver or a one-time tourist? Are you a scuba diver who goes diving often? However, people should align their watch’s water resistance with their activity level to ensure it can handle all the activities.

• Everyday Wear: If your water-related activities include splashes, rain, and washing hands only, a 3 ATM or 5 ATM is enough.

• Fitness Enthusiasts & Swimmers: Therefore, a 10 ATM rating is considered a starting point for those who swim more often and sunbathe at the pool.

• Snorkelling & Recreational Diving: If anything underwater, such as scuba diving, is the intended use, then the 100-metre or 200-metre water resistance rating is advised.

• Serious Diving: For professional divers, it's recommended to use watches that are water resistant more than 200m. Such watches also come with bonus features like the unidirectional rotating bezel and the helium release valve.

Thus, by realising your level of activity and selecting a watch with a corresponding waterproof degree, you can turn your timekeeper into a faithful companion.

Beyond the Numbers: Additional Features to Consider

While the water resistance rating is a key factor, some additional features can enhance your watch's aquatic prowess:

• Screw-down Crown: This crown provides a substantially better seal of the internal workings of the watch and therefore gives it better water resistance.

• Screw-down Caseback: Acts as another defence line for the movement of the watch.

• Unidirectional Bezel: An inner ring on a dive watch that rotates and also assists the divers to tell the time that has been spent under the water.

• Helium Escape Valve: A kind of valve that is seen only on some of the professional divers watches that enables the expulsion of helium gas during the decompression phase of a deep dive.

In any case, it is recommended to read official information from the manufacturer or ask a professional watchmaker about the freshwater resistance of your watches.

Ready to find the perfect watch for your aquatic lifestyle? 

Just In Time is India’s number one watch retailer with a store network of over 80 stores across the nation, including all the largest cities. It is home to an impressive range of timepieces from the world’s leading watch makers, for every level of activity and price. If you need more options, pay a visit to our website or one of Just In Time stores, and the staff will gladly help you choose the watch that fits your style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the core difference between a watch that is simply water resistant and one that is considered waterproof?
   The key difference is that a watch with a WR rating can withstand a certain amount of pressure exerted by water, whereas a watch is never truly "waterproof" in real-world conditions.

2. What does a rating of 3 ATM (30 metres) on water resistant watches signify in terms of everyday activity?
   A 3 ATM rating signifies that the watch is suitable for everyday wear and can withstand small splashes and brief contact with water, such as light showers.

3. What functional component strengthens the water resistance capability of a watch, and what is its purpose?
   A screw-down crown and caseback strengthens water resistance, providing a substantially better seal to protect the internal workings of the watch.

4. What is the recommended activity level for a watch with a 10 ATM (100 metres) rating?
   A 10 ATM rating is perfect for those who swim more often, making it suitable for swimming and snorkelling, but not suitable for deep diving.

5. What two physical conditions in the real world influence the actual water resistance capabilities of a watch?
   Real-world conditions that influence water resistance include the temperature of the water and any abrupt twist or turn or impact experienced by the watch.

6. What specific feature on a professional dive watch assists divers in timing the duration they have spent underwater?
   The unidirectional rotating bezel is the specific feature that assists divers by allowing them to easily track elapsed time when submerged.

7. What is the significance of a water resistance rating being displayed in both metres and ATMs?
   The rating in both metres (m) and atmospheres (ATM) signifies the watch's ability to withstand a certain level of pressure, with one ATM being equal to approximately 10 m of water depth.

8. What type of watch is the Helium Escape Valve seen only on, and what is its function?
   The Helium Escape Valve is seen only on some professional diver's watches and enables the expulsion of helium gas during the decompression phase of a deep dive.

9. What is the recommended activity level for a watch with a 5 ATM (50 metres) rating?
   A 5 ATM rating is good for hand washing and light rainfall but is not recommended for swimming or diving.

10. What two external elements can wear out the gaskets and seals in a watch over time?
    The seals and gaskets can wear out or get damaged by chloride and salts.

11. What is the recommended time frame for a professional service to ensure the water resistance of a watch is maintained?
    It is recommended that the watch is taken at least once a year to a professional watchmaker for servicing.

12. What rule must be followed regarding the crown and pushers on water resistant watches with chronograph features?
    The rule is to never use the pushers underwater on models that have a chronological feature and always ensure the crown is screwed down.