The Complete Guide to Watch Water Resistance
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Watch Enthusiast
Water resistance is one of the most misunderstood specifications in watchmaking. This guide clarifies what the ratings actually mean.
Understanding the Ratings
30m (3 ATM): Splash resistant only. Avoid swimming or showering.
50m (5 ATM): Light swimming and showering. No diving.
100m (10 ATM): Swimming and snorkeling. Recreational water activities.
200m (20 ATM): Recreational scuba diving. Professional-grade water sports.
300m+ (30 ATM+): Professional diving. Saturation diving.
Important Considerations
Water resistance is tested under static conditions. Dynamic pressure from swimming, diving, or water sports can exceed these ratings. Additionally, gaskets degrade over time and require periodic replacement during servicing.
Maintenance Tips
- Have water resistance tested annually
- Replace gaskets during regular servicing
- Avoid hot water (saunas, hot tubs) even with high water resistance
- Always ensure crown is fully screwed down before water exposure
- Rinse with fresh water after saltwater exposure
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LoginGreat article! This helped me a lot when I was deciding on my first Omega. The size guide was especially useful.
I wish I had read this before buying my first watch. Would have saved me from a few mistakes!
Very comprehensive guide. Can you do a similar article for women's watches?