The watch world has something to own up to fellow watch owners. The whole water-resistant vs waterproof watches debate isn’t entirely fair.
Why, you may ask? That's because there’s no such thing as a waterproof watch.
The watch industry has stopped using the word waterproof long ago, and we’re glad they finally chose the honest life. No matter how expensive, well-built or amazing a watch is, it simply can’t guarantee that it’s waterproof.
What you’re looking for, instead, is the right level of water resistance for your lifestyle. Allow us to explain.
What Does Water-Resistant Mean?
The entire water-resistant vs waterproof watches debate is all about the degree of protection from water.
A water-resistant watch is rather like a spectrum instead of an on-off switch. You can handle different moisture and water up to specific limits. Water-resistant watches typically come with depth ratings, which are usually in metres or ATM. These basically tell you how much static pressure they can theoretically withstand. Theoretically, being with the keyword here.
Now, all this sounds pretty simple until you realise that a water-resistant watch that is rated for 50 metres doesn’t actually mean you can dive 50 metres while wearing it. Water-resistant ratings actually refer to the static pressure tested in a laboratory, so it was never meant for real-world conditions at all.
Here's what those ratings actually translate to:
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30M/3 ATM: Splash-resistant.
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50M/5 ATM: Light swimming okay.
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100M/10 ATM: Swimming and snorkelling are safe.
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200M/20 ATM: Scuba diving is fine.
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300M+/30 ATM: Professional diving.
Waterproof Has Practically Disappaeared from Watch Marketing
Back in 1990, the International Organisation for Standardisation, or ISO, banned the term waterproof for watches. The reason behind this was because the term was misleading.
No watch can be impervious to water. Gaskets can always wear out, seals can degrade and temperature fluctuations can cause expansion and contraction to watch casing.
The takeaway from this? Even the finest luxury watch brands have their limits. Rolex, however, like in many things, is an exception here. They still occasionally throw around the term waterproof in their marketing. In 1926, Rolex came out with their Oyster case, and this was the very first wristwatch that was actually water-resistant. They even had it tested by Mercedes Gleitze, a swimmer, who wore it during her English Channel swim. 10 hours in water, and the watch still worked perfectly fine.
To this day, Rolex has been living in quite the grey area. They sometimes use the word waterproof, even though they technical mean really well water-resistant.
Water Resistance for Swimming. What’s the Verdict?
If you’re wondering about a water-resistant vs waterproof watch for swimming, here's what you need to know.
Casual swimming in pools, beaches or lakes need a watch that can handle at least 50 meters of water resistance. The more the better, of course. That extra buffer is really important. That’s because water resistance isn’t about depth as it is about pressure changes.
When you’re diving into a pool, you’re basically creating a sudden pressure change. This can overwhelm a watch rated for minimal water resistance. That sudden spike in pressure can was water past seals that would otherwise hold fine. Another important factor is temperature. Hot tubs and showers, for example, are terrible for watches. The heat expands components and soap and chemicals degrade gaskets faster than pure water ever could.
For snorkelling, swimming or water sports, the ideal watch should be able to withstand about 100 to 200 metres. For actual diving, look for 200 to 300 metres.
What Makes Luxury Watches Water-Resistant?
The engineering behind water-resistant vs waterproof watches comes down to a few critical components working together perfectly.
Gaskets and O-rings are small rubber or silicone rings that create seals around every opening in the watch case. The crown, the pushers, the case back, the crystal. They're what stand between your movement and disaster.
High-quality gaskets can last for years. But they will eventually dry out, crack, or lose elasticity. This is why even the best dive watches need regular pressure testing and gasket replacement.
Screw-down crowns create a tighter seal than push-pull crowns. When you screw the crown down tight against the case, it compresses gaskets and creates a water-resistant barrier.
Many dive watches also feature screw-down pushers for chronograph functions. This adds extra protection.
Case construction matters enormously as well. Luxury watches often use multiple case pieces that screw together with precision threading. This creates compression that keeps water out.
Cheaper watches might use snap-on case backs that don't seal as reliably.
Crystal quality plays a role, too. Sapphire crystals can be sealed more effectively than mineral or acrylic alternatives. Plus, they're scratch-resistant, so the seal integrity lasts longer.
Okay, But How Do You Maintain Water Resistance Over Time?
Even the best water-resistant watches need maintenance to keep their protection intact.
Gaskets don't last forever and seals degrade with age and use.
Most watch manufacturers recommend having water resistance tested annually if you regularly expose your watch to water. For occasional swimmers, every two to three years is usually a good estimate.
During regular servicing, gaskets should be replaced as standard practice. This is not expensive. It's basic maintenance that prevents catastrophic, expensive water-damage repairs.
If you notice condensation under the crystal, moisture indicators changing colour, or the watch fogging up with temperature changes, stop wearing it immediately.
Take it for servicing since water inside a watch can destroy the movement rapidly, especially with mechanical complications.
Our Take On the Water-Resistant vs Waterproof Watches Debate
Understanding water-resistant vs waterproof watches ultimately comes down to managing expectations realistically.
No watch is truly waterproof forever. Water resistance is a temporary state that requires maintenance, proper use, and a realistic understanding of limits.
The good news, however, is that most modern luxury watches are remarkably water-resistant when properly maintained. The key is choosing the right level of protection for your needs. Understanding what those ratings actually mean in practice, and maintaining your watch properly over time.
For anyone shopping for a watch with serious water resistance, focus on:
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Screw-down crowns
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Quality gaskets and seals
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Conservative depth ratings
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Brands with proven track records for water resistance
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Regular pressure testing and maintenance
So, the next time someone tries selling you a waterproof watch, you now know better. What they really mean is water-resistant.
If you’re interested in taking up a new hobby this year and think swimming might be the one, why not buy yourself a water-resistant watch? Love Luxury has several pre-loved and brand new luxury watches in stock waiting for you to claim them.
Happy swimming, lad and lasses!
