Having a water-resistant watch in your collection is definitely a worthwhile investment. You never know when you're going to be unwittingly splashed or come into contact with water, especially with summer coming up. And the last thing anyone wants to deal with is one of their favourite watches becoming water damaged and have to pay a costly fee to get it fixed, if not, replaced. Fortunately, water-resistant watches are a dime a dozen these days, with most of your favourite watch brands coming out with models that have varying degrees of water resistance.
But while some watches will only withstand a little splash, other models, namely diver's watches, can withstand some of the deepest that a swimmer can go. So, what does the term 'water resistant' actually mean? Understanding water resistance is important for anyone in the market for a new watch, particularly if you are someone that lives an active lifestyle and want the assurance that a little rain or a wave on your fishing trip isn't going to bring harm to your timepiece.
So, read on as we unpack all that there is to know about water resistant watches and their varying degrees of tolerance.
Table of Contents
- What Does Water Resistance Mean?
- What Type of Damage Can Water Do to a Non-Water Resistant Watch?
- What Are the Varying Degrees of Water Resistance?
- How Waterproof Is Your Water-Resistant Watch?
- 1. Water Resistant 30 Meters / 3 Atmospheres / 3 Bar
- 2. Water Resistant 50 Meters / 5 Atmospheres / 5 Bar
- 3. Water Resistant 100 Meters / 10 Atmospheres / 10 Bar
- 4. Water Resistant 200 Meters / 20 Atmospheres / 20 Bar + 500 Meters / 50 Atmospheres / 50 Bars
- 5. Water Resistant 1000 Meters / 100 Atmospheres / 100 Bar
- 6. Divers or ISO 6425
What Does Water Resistance Mean?
Water resistance refers to the ability of an object or material to withstand the penetration of water to varying degrees. When an item is labelled as water-resistant, it means that it can resist exposure to water to a certain extent, offering protection against light splashes, rain, or accidental spills. However, water resistance is not the same as water proof and therefore does not provide complete coverage against water. The level of water resistance is often specified, indicating the depth or pressure the item can endure without allowing water to penetrate. It is essential to note that water resistance can vary among different products, and users should adhere to the recommended guidelines to prevent damage to your watch.
What Type of Damage Can Water Do to a Non-Water Resistant Watch?
While it is easy to assume most watches on the market are water resistant, whether they be an analogue, digital or smart watch, this is simply not the case. So, it's important when you purchase your timepiece that you read its manual carefully rather than assuming. It doesn't matter how small the splash is or how careful you are, even the littlest amount of water can damage your watch and its functions. 
For one, the water can cause rusting and corrosion on your watch's movement, potentially causing it to malfunction. If moisture makes its way inside of your watch, it can also affect not only its appearance but also its functionality, resulting in discolouration and damage to the markers or indices. Then last but not least, there's the crown which protects your watch from becoming damage. If the crown is damaged, it can not only become corroded, but it can also cause internal damage. But this is just the tip of the iceberg; if you have a smart or digital watch, moisture can not only impact the electronics but also the watch's battery and ability to charge.
What Are the Varying Degrees of Water Resistance?
Women's watches and men's watches can have varying degrees of water resistance, such as 30, 50, 100, 200 meters and more. While it does sound like you can venture on a deep dive 50 meters below sea level with your watch, it unfortunately doesn’t have the ability to withstand that kind of water pressure. Much like your jewellery, watches are a valuable accessory, so you want to make sure you take care of it. This guide will help you understand much exposure to water can be safe for your water-resistant watch and how much is too much.
How Waterproof Is Your Water-Resistant Watch?
The water resistance of a watch is measured in atmospheres (ATM) or meters (M), indicating the depth to which it can resist water penetration. For example, a watch with a basic water resistance rating, such as 30 meters (3 ATM), is suitable for everyday activities like handwashing and light rain.
1. Water Resistant 30 Meters / 3 Atmospheres / 3 Bar
If your water-resistant watch says it is 30 meters, 3 atmospheres or 3 bars water resistant, this simply means it is resistant to small amounts of water like rain and splashing from hand washes. Anything more than that is a huge red flag!
Tommy Hilfiger James 1791651
$129.00
$229.00
Introducing the Tommy Hilfiger James 1791651 with a sleek black dial and a matching black leather band. This timepiece features a 40.5mm stainless steel case, striking a balance between presence and comfort on the wrist. With a slim profile of… read more
2. Water Resistant 50 Meters / 5 Atmospheres / 5 Bar
A watch that is 50 meters water resistant is an improvement in comparison to a watch that is 3 bars; however, you still can’t go deep diving. A watch that has 50 meters, 5 atmospheres and 5 bars water resistance can withstand the level of water exposed to in a shower. Wearing this water resistant watch in a pool of water may be okay, provided the water does not get inside, which means avoid underwater swims for long durations or probably all together just to be safe. Citizen Eco Drive watches are a great place to start if you're not sure.
Citizen Quartz BI5006-81L
$168.75
$225.00
Creating a lasting impression with gold and silver highlights against a stunning midnight blue dial featuring gold accents and a handy date display, this is a timepiece of distinction. As eye-catching for its performance as it is for looks, it… read more
3. Water Resistant 100 Meters / 10 Atmospheres / 10 Bar
This one should fit the bill, right? A waterproof watch with 100 metres, 10 atmospheres and 10 bars water resistance won’t work after diving. However, it is suitable for swimming and water sports like snorkeling, so we are getting somewhere now!
Jag Alain J2330A Multi-Function
$199.00
Introducing the Jag Alain J2330A Multi-Function, where sophistication meets functionality in a distinguished design. This impressive timepiece features a gold-tone stainless steel case and bracelet, offering durability and a luxurious aesthetic. The black dial is adorned with gold accent markers,… read more
4. Water Resistant 200 Meters / 20 Atmospheres / 20 Bar + 500 Meters / 50 Atmospheres / 50 Bars
As much as we’d want it to be, 200 meters, 20 atmospheres and 20 bars resistance are still not safe for deep-sea diving, but it is safe for standard scuba diving for short periods of time. This type of water-resistant watch can also be worn by water sports professionals who are in and out of the water frequently. The same goes for a waterproof watch with 500 meters, 50 atmospheres and 50 bars resistance; however, these can withstand water exposure for slightly longer.
Citizen Promaster Fugu NY0156-04E Automatic
$399.00
$699.00
A timeless classic always remains in vogue. The freshly reimagined Promaster Dive Automatic men’s watch by Citizen delves deeply into the historical roots of its original iteration from 1989, tailored for a new wave of dive watch enthusiasts. Crafted in… read more
5. Water Resistant 1000 Meters / 100 Atmospheres / 100 Bar
You’ll be happy to know that a water-resistant watch with 1000 meters, 100 atmospheres and 100 bars of resistance can be worn for deep sea diving.
Even though without certification to the ISO 6425 standard, this watch allows you the freedom to dive deep into the water.
6. Divers or ISO 6425
If your watch claims to be “ISO 6425” or has “Divers” written on it, congratulations! This watch is a certified diving watch. It is a completely safe to be worn under water, and is a literal water-resistant watch. Watches that measure up to this standard are also shock, magnet and salt water tolerant and can also be used in places of total darkness. So go ahead and hit the ocean!
Seiko Prospex SNE573P Solar Divers Watch
$750.00
Dive deep with this sporty Seiko Prospex divers watch. Powered by solar, this stylish black Seiko is a technological powerhouse. Built to survive 200m of water pressure and backed by the most precise Japanese quartz movement. Designed with a high… read more
