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Second Time Round Guide to Water Resistance and Watches |
My new watch says it is water resistant, but what exactly does that mean? And how do I care for a water resistant watch? |
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| The Definition of Water Resistance |
| A watch marked as water resistant without a depth indication is designed to withstand accidental splashes of water only. You should not submerge such a watch in water at any time. Increasingly higher acceptable depths, normally indicated in meters, usually indicate higher levels of water resistance. There are a variety of different ways to make a watch water resistant. All such watches use "O" rings or rubber gaskets to seal the back of the case. A watch with a back that screws onto the case provides a higher degree of water tightness. Some crowns (the "winding stem") actually screw into the case, which increases water resistance even more. |
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| Usage Recommendations |
| These are recommendations for the usage of water resistant/water proof watches. |
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| Water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet). Will withstand splashes of water or rain but should not be worn while swimming or in any water sport activities. |
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| Water-resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling. |
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| Water-resistant to 150 meters (500 feet). Suitable for snorkeling. |
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| Water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet). Suitable for skin diving. |
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| Diver’s 150 meters (500 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving. |
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| Diver's 200 meters (660 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving. Please note that we do not recommend swimming or diving with your watch unless it has a screw-down crown (also known as "screw-lock" or "screw-in" crown) and is water-resistant to at least 100 meters. |
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