Watch water resistance

The movement of a watch is a complex and fragile system, and water ingress is destructive to the watch. It would be no problem to "pack" the movement in a sealed case. But then you would have to say goodbye to the crown and other control buttons, for example, for controlling the chronograph. After all, for each such button in the case is created an additional hole, where water can easily get in. For this purpose, a water-resistance rating has been developed. The first waterproof watch was created in Switzerland, by a company called West End Watch Co., and the watch itself had the original name "l'imperméable" - "waterproof raincoat" (French).
In this article, we'll explain what water protection designations are and what they mean. Be sure to save it so you can periodically come back to read it and refresh your memory about watch water protection.

A watch's water resistance (WR) rating helps determine how watertight the watch is against water.
It should be noted that the water resistance rating of a watch is not as simple as it seems and misleads many users.
The fact is that the numbers indicated on the watch can not be taken literally as written. For example, if the watch says 30m (30 meters), then at first glance, you can safely swim and dive in it. But this is not the case at all.

We will reveal the secrets of this question.

Most watches are tested according to the ISO 2281 standard. And not all watches pass these tests, but only a part of the batch, and the tests are biased to show the real immersion depth.
The fact is that the water protection of watches is tested in ideal laboratory conditions, and watches with 200 meters really withstand immersion to this depth. But in real life, things are a bit different. As a result, for example, a sudden movement of the hand in the bathtub can result in a pressure build-up on the watch equivalent to a 50-meter depth.
Even a shower can "break" the water resistance of a watch with a water resistance rating of 30-50 meters, let alone a dive from a tower into the water - the water shock in this case is of enormous force.
You should also take into account that the water protection of a watch is not a constant value. In the course of use, the gaskets gradually deteriorate, affected by time, temperature, salt water, detergents and other factors that everyone faces.

An exception to this is the special diver's watch, which is made to a special ISO 6425 standard. (ISO - International Organization for Standartization) Such watches are made with a safety margin, and each model is tested at a higher pressure. The models that pass the tests are labeled "DIVER'S" followed by a number, for example, "DIVER'S 300M". The manufacturer is not obliged to put this inscription on the dial or any other part of the watch. Many companies declare the compliance of their watches with ISO 6425 in the accompanying documentation supplied with the watch.

This is why you should consider the water protection rating of a regular watch not directly as stated, but according to the table below. You should also buy a diving or water sports watch with a "reserve" in terms of water resistance.

Catalog of watches with water resistance over 100 WR

General recommendations for watch care:

• Do not go to the bath/sauna with your watch, even if it has a high water protection rating. Hot steam and water are destructive to the mechanism.
• The same applies to hot water - do not rinse the watch with very hot water. The sealing layers may be deformed and the sealing may be compromised.
• Even if the water resistance rating allows showering, the power of the water jet must be taken into account; in addition, soaps and shampoos have a negative effect on the seals of the watch.
• If water does get into the watch, contact a service center immediately.
• Do not press the watch buttons underwater or operate the crown. Even pressing the crown sideways can cause water to enter the watch, so we recommend a watch with a threaded crown for water recreation - the thread provides additional protection against accidental exposure to the crown underwater.
• If you regularly use your watch underwater, you should periodically check the water resistance of your watch. It is also a good idea to do this after replacing the batteries - choose a service center that provides this service.