Water Resistant Watch: What Does it Really Mean?

20 January 2020

Most wristwatches are believed to be water-resistant thanks to the written text on their watch faces. The resistance of watches to water is frequently effective when tested in waters. However, there are a lot of people who interchange the understanding between water resistance and waterproof. In some cases, some watch owners would blame the manufacturer for their damaged watches even if they are the ones who have inflicted damage to their respective watches.

The True Definition of Water Resistant

Knowing the true definition of being resistant to water is crucial to owners who want to truly take care of their watches. To give you an idea, there are actually three terms that are interchanged by people. First, the term ‘water-resistant’ refers to products that can resist the penetration of water to some extent depending on the given rating. Being ‘water-repellent,’ on the other hand, means that an object is not easily penetrated by water through surface coating. Lastly, a product that is ‘water-proof’ means that the water cannot penetrate an object at all.

Truthfully, a product with a ‘water-resistant’ rating must be protected carefully as water can penetrate it at a certain level or extent. This specific property is the lowest level of water protection that a product can get.

So, diving with a watch that has a water resistance of up to 30 meters doesn’t necessarily mean that your watch is safe underwater for a long time. In fact, if you expose your watch for too long underwater, the water can get in and cause damage to its small working parts. The water can also kick off the deterioration and rusting of your watch.

Water Resistant Ratings on Watches

Wristwatches may obtain various degrees of water resistance.

  • 30 Metres:Watches with 30 metres water resistance rating can only tolerate droplets of rains and splashes from washing hands.
  • 50 Metres:A slight improvement over the previous water resistance rating, watches with 50 metres water resistance rating can withstand the level of water in a shower. If you are thinking of swimming with this watch, just make sure that the water won’t get in. Long duration of swimming is not recommended for watches with this water resistance rating.
  • 100 Metres: A watch with 100 metres water resistance rating can be used under the pool. Snorkelling with this type of watch can also survive the water. Deep-sea diving, however, is not suitable for this level of water resistance.
  • 200 Metres:If you are into standard scuba diving, then a watch with 200 metres water resistance rating is certainly for you. Water sport professionals tend to use this type of watch since it can now withstand water in pools for a reasonable amount of time.
  • 1000 Metres:People who are into deep-sea diving must buy watches with 100 water resistance rating and above.
  • Divers or ISO 6425:Even if the 1000 metres water resistance rating can do the trick for those who are into deep-sea diving, a watch with ISO 6425 water resistance training can certainly withstand all types of water elements in a long time. Aside from water, this type of resistance rating can also tolerate shock, magnet, and even saltwater.

Knowing the essence of water resistance in watches can help you determine which one is the right watch for you. To know more all the available watches with these sets of water resistance ratings, you can contact us now at Ken Ross Jewellers.

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