Water Resistance and Watches

There are several features that help make a watch water-resistant. The most important is the gaskets, or 0 rings-made of rubber, nylon or Teflon which form watertight seals at the joints where the crystal, case back and crown meet the watch case. if the watch is a chronograph, the chronograph pushers will also have gaskets.

In addition, water-resistant watch cases are lined with a sealant, applied in the form of a quick-hardening liquid, which helps keep water out.

Projects watches are water resistant to 30 meters, as indicated on the case back.
The water resistance rating of a watch does not take into account the ability of the watch to STAY water resistant as it ages. Please be aware that temperature fluctuations and external influences such as solvents, cosmetics, dust or shock, caused by impacts or sudden movements, can fundamentally affect water-resistance. Often a watch gets hit by a shock onto the crown or crystal without leaving visible marks, but the internal parts could become damaged affecting its water-resistance. You should also consider that seals and sealing systems in particular are subject to wear and tear as well as natural aging of the gaskets at the crystal, crown and case back.

Definition of Water Resistance

The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer’s or diver’s world. In real life, the movement of the wearer’s arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can’t be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines.

Usage Recommendations

The following usage recommendations are suggested by most watch manufacturers.

  • Water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet). Will withstand splashes of water or rain but should not be worn while swimming or diving.
  • Water-tested to 50 meters (165 feet). Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water.
  • Water-tested to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Water-tested to 150 meters (500 feet). Suitable for snorkeling.
  • Water-tested to 200 meters (660 feet). Suitable for skin diving.
  • Diver’s 150 meters (500 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
  • Diver’s 200 meters (660 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

Please note that we do not recommend swimming or diving with your watch unless it has a screw-down crown (also known as screw-lock or screw-in crown) and is water-resistant to at least 100 meters.

Care for a Water Resistant Watch

It is not recommended to wear your water resistant watch in a hot shower, sauna or hot tub. The extreme heat causes the metal parts to expand at a different rate than the rubber gaskets. This creates small openings that can allow water droplets to penetrate the watch. Sudden temperature changes are especially harsh.

Some chemicals can corrode the gaskets and make it vulnerable. Heavily chlorinated water can cause problems, as can spray-on perfumes and hairsprays that work their way into the watch’s seams and damage the gaskets. (They can also damage your watch’s finish.)

Leather straps are not water-resistant and can become damaged by frequent exposure to water. Depending on use and wear and tear, lifetime is typically from 6 to 18 months. Please take hygienic issue into consideration, as your leather strap is exposed daily to your natural sweat, as well as bacteria and dirt. Also from this point of view, a change of strap is recommended every 18 months at least.