Which is better waterproof or water resistant watches?
Simply put, a water-resistant luxury watches can withstand contact with for a certain amount of time or under certain conditions, while a “waterproof” watch should, in theory, be impenetrable by water. But the truth is, no watch can guarantee perpetual waterproofness.
A watch stamped with "Water Resistant" means that it is humidity-protected. It can endure a bit of water splashes from washing your hands or being caught in the rain. However, water resistance does not mean you should swim or shower with your watch on. Water is the biggest enemy of a watch.
So what do these markings actually mean? 50m - Water resistant up to 50 meters means it can withstand swimming and cold showers. Hot showers are different as hot water would allow the watch to expand and potentially allow water to get in.
In short, “water resistant” describes an item's ability to resist water penetration to a certain degree but perhaps not entirely. On the other hand, “waterproof” technically means that it's impermeable no matter how much time it spends in the water.
Is water resistant good enough for rain? The short answer; yes. Water resistant jackets are designed for wet-weather conditions but only drizzle to light showers. They are designed to be completely impervious but over time, the water resistant qualities start to wear and let water in causing water damage.
It is not recommended to shower with your watch on, even if it is highly water-resistant. This is because the abrasive chemicals in the soap or shampoo you use can slowly erode the rubber gaskets and compromise the watch's ability to keep water out.
Waterproof watches are made to resist water. Regular watches cannot stand different environments. For instance, the extreme humid condition can damage a traditional watch. The materials the watches are made of enables them to withstand various environmental conditions such as excessive dampness.
This is because the watch water resistance seal may degrade over time, especially if it takes a knock. 5 BAR / 5 ATM / 50m / 165ft: Your watch can withstand splashes, shower and is suitable for swimming. It is not suitable for water sports, pool-side diving or sea diving.
A waterproof designation indicates that the item is completely impervious to water. Waterproof clothing is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or has an acrylic backing to keep water out. Waterproof clothing features a repellent coating that makes garments impervious to water.
- Apple Watch Series 8.
- Garmin Forerunner 945 Smartwatch.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2.
- Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch.
- Garmin Swim 2 Watch.
- Timex Ironman Classic Watch.
- ⭐ Waterproof rating.
- ⭐ Tracking.
How waterproof should a watch be for swimming?
| WATER RESISTANCE GUIDE | |
|---|---|
| 50m/165ft - 100m/330ft | Light poolside swimming |
| 100m/330ft - 200m/660ft | Swimming, snorkeling, showering (no hot water) |
| 200m/660ft - 500m/1650ft | Impact water sports such as board diving and scuba diving |
| 500m/1650ft+ | Appropriate for serious deep water diving. |
Water-resistant to 100 meters (330 feet): Watches with this rating are suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Water-resistant to 150 meters (500 feet): Watches with this rating are suitable for snorkeling. Water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet): Watches with this rating are suitable for skin diving.
Since 8 is the highest number on the IP water rating scale, any IP enclosure with a rating ending in 8 offers the best possible waterproof protection. However, IP68 is usually acknowledged as the most protective IP waterproof rating in common use.
If a product is labeled as “water-resistant,” it was designed specifically to resist contact by light water (rain showers/light rain and snow flurries) but are not designed to withstand any heavy water exposure to the elements.
Water-resistance is an issue for all watches, however, and while your average perpetual calendar or monopusher chronograph was never intended for seafaring use, improvements in materials, tolerance levels and watchmaking processes across the board mean that even the daintiest of watches can boast some level of ...
Windproof vs.
Just as “water-resistant” relates to “waterproof,” “wind-resistant” becomes “windproof” when test results exceed an established threshold: 60+ mph, for example, is the spec for all REI-brand jackets. Windproof: Any waterproof jacket is also windproof.
Water damage is one of the most common reasons why a timepiece stops working and needs repair or maintenance. Exposing your watch to water can cause corrosion, ruin internal mechanisms and render it completely useless.
You can play sports with a Rolex on your wrist as the Rolex Oyster case provides the watch movement with optimal protection against shocks. All Rolex wristwatches are waterproof to depths of at least 100 metres for Oyster Perpetual models, and 50 metres for the Perpetual 1908 watch.
If your watch is rated to 50 meters/5bar or less, it should only be subject to accidental splash; hand washing, dishes, etc. Never submerge it intentionally. If your watch is rated to 100 meters/10bar, it is suitable for surface swimming. If your watch is rated 200 meters/20bar, it is suitable for skin diving.
Ultimately, every timepiece has its limits. That's why today, modern luxury watches aren't described as waterproof, but rather as possessing varying degrees of water resistance. It's a subtle but important difference. Before 1960, waterproof was a far more widely used descriptor than it is today.
Why is Rolex waterproof?
The “Oyster” refers to their hermetic case. Introduced by Rolex in 1926, it is the first ever waterproof case made for a wristwatch. It keeps water out through its patented system where the bezel, case back and winding crown are screwed against the middle of the case, wherein all parts of the watch are securely fitted.
That being said, it is all right to wear your Rolex into the water with you, weather it's a chlorinated pool, hot tub or salty ocean. Your Swiss masterpiece is built like a tank, and the general rule of thumb is; whatever you can handle your Rolex can handle as well.
At The North Face®, when we say a fabric is waterproof we mean it's impervious to water. We test our waterproof fabrics in lab conditions to ensure the fabric can withstand a given amount of water. Once the fabric passes that test, it can be called 100% waterproof.
Waterproof jackets will never allow pouring rain to penetrate the jacket's material, while water-resistant jackets allow some moisture in after prolonged exposure to precipitation. As a general rule, you can expect the most water-resistant jackets to keep you dry for about 35 to 45 minutes.
If you wear the jacket frequently and are out in all conditions we recommend reproofing every three to four months. However, if you wear your jacket less frequently or are out in less extreme weather, then reproofing your jacket every six months should be sufficient.
To wit: It's vitally important to buy something that's submersible to at least 100 meters (300-ish feet). Added to that, a leather or satin strap is verboten, unless you like having a soggy wrist. For littoral excursions, think metal, rubber, and nylon.
Some smartwatches are water-resistant to a certain degree, which means that they can withstand splashes of water or brief exposure to water, but they are not suitable for swimming or diving. Other smartwatches are designed to be fully waterproof, and they can be worn while swimming or diving.
For example, the stainless steel and leather bands aren't water resistant and shouldn't be exposed to liquids.
The 5 atm water rating on a wristwatch depicts that the timepiece can withstand water pressure up to a depth of 50 meters before it suffers water damage. The 5 bar/ atm watch can be taken swimming for brief periods of time, worn in the shower or the rain but should never be used for water sports of any kind.
Even with water-resistant designs, stainless steel watches can be vulnerable to rust due to frequent swimming, saltwater exposure or even just frequent sweating.
When did watches stop saying waterproof?
“Waterproof” is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but the Federal Trade Commission banned its use in advertising in the watch industry in the late 1960s. This was because no watch — or most other items, for that matter — can truly claim to be unharmed by water in all cases.
Almost Always, Yes! Rolex watches are waterproof, or water resistant to use the proper term, and will withstand any form of submersion up to a specified depth – so long as they are not damaged. Rolex models are made with an ethos of luxury and robust craftsmanship, which forms the basis for their prestige.
For many watch collectors, the water resistance is one of the most important elements to consider when selecting a new timepiece. The water resistance rating of a watch will affect how and when it can be worn and how much care it will require.
All you have to do after diving or a day at the beach is simply to rinse your watch with fresh water to remove any salt and sand deposits: wearing your watch while showering at the end of the day should do the trick. The Oyster case of your Rolex protects it from water and makes it completely dustproof and waterproof.
All Rolex wristwatches are waterproof to depths of at least 100 metres for Oyster Perpetual models, and 50 metres for the Perpetual 1908 watch.
As is so often the case in Germany, there is also a DIN standard for this. 30 minutes in 1 metre water depth and 90 seconds in 20 metres water depth, a watch should remain functional in order to be classified as water resistant according to DIN 8310.
| WATER RESISTANCE GUIDE | |
|---|---|
| 50m/165ft - 100m/330ft | Light poolside swimming |
| 100m/330ft - 200m/660ft | Swimming, snorkeling, showering (no hot water) |
| 200m/660ft - 500m/1650ft | Impact water sports such as board diving and scuba diving |
| 500m/1650ft+ | Appropriate for serious deep water diving. |