Summer Watch Care - Can My Watch Get Wet?
Consider this, a hot summer day spent at a pool or beach - you dive in to cool off…only to remember you’re wearing your favorite timepiece. After quickly removing and drying it off you breathe a sign of relief after seeing the words “water resistant” stamped across the back. But what does that actually mean?
Firstly, water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Unless specified by depth, water resistant only really means “accidental wetting.” Your watch says water resistant up to 30 meters - so you can dive with it down to 30 meters right? Not quite. You see water resistance is measured in a static condition, under the pressure of a certain depth in water, and velocity is a function of that pressure. The faster the watch travels against or through water, the greater the pressure against the watch, easily making it exceed the degree of water resistancy engineered for that timepiece.
That said, for many watches a splash will be OK - but anything further could be detrimental to your timepiece’s inner workings. As a general rule of thumb, follow the below guide of water resistant classifications:
Firstly, water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Unless specified by depth, water resistant only really means “accidental wetting.” Your watch says water resistant up to 30 meters - so you can dive with it down to 30 meters right? Not quite. You see water resistance is measured in a static condition, under the pressure of a certain depth in water, and velocity is a function of that pressure. The faster the watch travels against or through water, the greater the pressure against the watch, easily making it exceed the degree of water resistancy engineered for that timepiece.
That said, for many watches a splash will be OK - but anything further could be detrimental to your timepiece’s inner workings. As a general rule of thumb, follow the below guide of water resistant classifications:
Water Resistant 30 Meters / 3 ATM (100 Feet)
These timepieces can withstand splashes of water and are rain resistant. They are suitable for everyday use but NOT for bathing or swimming.
Water Resistant 50 Meters / 5 ATM (165 Feet)
A watch with this level of resistance is suitable for light swimming but not prolonged submersion. It should still be removed while bathing or during more intense water activity.
Water Resistant 100 Meters / 10 ATM (330 Feet)
Wear this timepiece during recreational water activities like surfing, swimming, or snorkeling. Diving however, should still be out of the question.
Water Resistant 200 Meters / 20 ATM (660 Feet)
While 200 meters seems like you have more leeway - this still shouldn't be used for professional deep water diving. Recreational scuba diving is ok and is a good choice for professional marine activity or serious surface water sports.
Diver’s 200 Meters - 300+ Meters
You’ve entered the dive watch territory. Go ahead and get wet!
Have a vintage watch with water resistant ratings? Be sure to check its seals before slapping it on for a water excursion. The water-resistant seals of a watch are far from permanent and with age can dry out and lose their effectiveness. Bring your timepiece in to us here at Central Watch to check to ensure the seals are still doing their job.
These timepieces can withstand splashes of water and are rain resistant. They are suitable for everyday use but NOT for bathing or swimming.
Water Resistant 50 Meters / 5 ATM (165 Feet)
A watch with this level of resistance is suitable for light swimming but not prolonged submersion. It should still be removed while bathing or during more intense water activity.
Water Resistant 100 Meters / 10 ATM (330 Feet)
Wear this timepiece during recreational water activities like surfing, swimming, or snorkeling. Diving however, should still be out of the question.
Water Resistant 200 Meters / 20 ATM (660 Feet)
While 200 meters seems like you have more leeway - this still shouldn't be used for professional deep water diving. Recreational scuba diving is ok and is a good choice for professional marine activity or serious surface water sports.
Diver’s 200 Meters - 300+ Meters
You’ve entered the dive watch territory. Go ahead and get wet!
Have a vintage watch with water resistant ratings? Be sure to check its seals before slapping it on for a water excursion. The water-resistant seals of a watch are far from permanent and with age can dry out and lose their effectiveness. Bring your timepiece in to us here at Central Watch to check to ensure the seals are still doing their job.
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