Horological Meandering

why is my $12k GO "water resistant" (to 30 meters for example) instead of "waterproof" to 30 meters?

When I was a kid, my $7 Timex was waterproof. Today, my $12k GO is just water resistant?

Specifically, what is "water resistant?"

Will it leak, or not?

Thank you, Bart

In theory, no watch is waterproof because with enough pressure it would let in water. Although it could be argued that any watch that is water resistant to 11,000 meters (eg. B&R Hydomax) is 'water proof' as its resistance surpasses the deepest natural point of the planet (about 10,700m I think).

I think it's just a question of terminology as far as your timex in concerned, there's a company called Rotary that does 'waterproof' watches, but that only covers 'all non-professional water sports', so clearly not waterPROOF.

As for your 30m water resistant watch, the 30m refers to a lab test of STATIC pressure, not 'real life' usage, basically I'd keep it as far from water as possible!

Dan

what is static pressure?

what relativity does a static pressure test have with a watch being water proof in the real world?

if my watch states that it is water resistant to 30M, am I safe swimming with is or taking it down to 50 or 60 feet?

Thank you, Bart

Hi,

static pressure means that the watch isn't moving and the pressure not changing. That is what the watch rating refers to. The problem with that concept is that to get to 10m down, say, you will have had to move the watch and subjected it to some rapid pressure differentials, e.g. when jumping into the water. According to the rule of thumb I adhere to,

30m= shower, handwashing 
50m=pool, surface swimming
100m=lap swimming, boating , shallow scuba diving

I would not go swimming with that GO, much less diving.

Best

Andreas

this is good advice
30m (100 feet or 3ATM) is only protection for accidental splashing, in a shower water pressure may be stronger than 3 atm and thus create problems in your watch and it would be a shame for your GO
You can only use a watch while swimming that is marked at least 10 ATM (300 feet- 100m) and you should test it annually for water tightness. you could use a 5 ATM (50 m 160 feet) for a short swim but I would not recommend it.
cheers

My 60m-rated IWC UTC is my resort travel watch, which means that it is submerged repeatedly and vigorously. I have not yet had a problem. I think that when IWC say 60m, they mean 60m.

that IWC measures in bars, not meters
cheers

why the manufacturers advertise  with a reference to an impressive number of meters or bars if they are really just saying that you better leave the watch on the beach. When one sees 30M or 50M, I automatically assumed that I could use the watch without regard if I went shallow diving (30 or 40 feet). That's a bummer... I thought that I was getting a waterproof watch -I am glad that I asked.

thank you to all...

Bart,

My understanding is that watches used to be marked "Waterproof" until some US ruling in the 70's forced them to change to "Water Resistant".

 

I have a rolex submariner that is only water resistant to 300m and my Girard Peregaux Sea Hawk II is waterproof to 300m as etched on the back
I have gone swimming with my Panerai 98 which is labeled 30m no problem but I wont take my GO gold perpetual in the water being that it is rated at 50m, because is that much more valuable and would be a real pain to fix if i had to ship it to germany and it also has a ton of pushers on the side and more importantly its not the watch one wears at the pool. I have gone swimming with my JLC reverso Grande Date GMT rated at 30m and it even has a fish next to depth label. I suspect that with most modern watches the depth label is factual and should not be a problem to go in the pool or the beach.
There is too much handwringing about it and static testing at a given depth is likely to be appropriate and adequate for most real life situations...IMHO

My GO (also a perpetual) has those pushers...  I wonder how they are made watertight? O-ring or rubber gasket? 

I really like the idea of my watch being impervious to external conditions but it feels too risky to take chances.  I remember when watches were rated "shock proof" also. 

The world was a little more comforting back then.  Thank you, Bart

I have been in pool and ocean with numerous Rolexes, my IWC Aquatimer, Casio Pathfinder, Seiko Samurai. For a decade or so, a Rolex Datejust (almost) never left my wrist, including (almost) daily showers.

If my Panerai were on a rubber strap, I would not hesitate to submerge it as well. I've never had a problem.

I have no idea what the difference is between water resistant and waterproof, and I doubt there is one.

Best,

Jed