Water Resistant Watches Facts
Many individuals would rather skip the hassle of removing and replacing a watch each time they’re taking a bath or washing their hands. In addition, sports athletes may find it essential to carry a water resistant watch because of add-on features like pedometers or calorie burning calculators.
Buying a water resistant watch means that there are no worries when you’re wearing this underwater – or maybe. This is because there are several water resistant levels that are discussed below.
Some of the key facts regarding waterproof watches include:
Watch straps are mainly made from rubber or nylon. Sealants are furthermore used to stop the penetration of water on other watch parts that may not be naturally waterproof like rubber. As an example, the crystals that frequently accompany luxury watches may be covered with invisible Teflon. For extra protection, the watch manufacturer will additionally build a screw-on crown on the exterior, with pressure lining to prevent water seeping into the inside of the watch.
How is Water Resistance Measured?
Water resistance is basically measured in ATM units – or atmospheric units. Buyers will need to select the ATM level based on the functionality they’re seeking. As an example, a diver’s watch must have a basic 20 ATM measurement, which allows the wearer to submerge into at least 220 meters or 660 feet of water without harm to the watch.
Here’s a basic chart for water-resistance based on uses and distances:
- For normal activities, a 3 ATM measurement is suitable, and this can be submerged in up to 100 feet of water.
- For regular swimming exercises, try a 5 ATM rating, which can be submerged in up to 50 m or 165 FT of water.
- For sports enthusiasts who like the great outdoors of swimming and snorkeling, try a water resistant watch with a measurement of 100 m or 330 FT.
- Lastly, for scuba divers who need to time their minutes, the watch should be approved by the ISO and be labelled a “diver” watch. These can be submerged in up to 200 m or 660 FT of water.
Other Key Facts
- You may have noticed that the term “water-resistant” was used instead of “waterproof”. This is because the Federal Trade Commission stipulates that no watch is fully waterproof. Instead, labels should be tagged as water-resistant.
- Another addition to sealants, crown gaskets and a screwed-on case backs include the installation of a helium release valve.
How to Maintain a Waterproof Watch
Investing in a luxury water resistant watch? Don’t skip maintenance. Experts suggest having a repairman perform testing on the watch routinely to determine if sealants are still strong enough. In addition, it’s recommended that the crown gasket and sealant is replaced when a battery replacement is done. This can be arranged with watch repairmen or online services for watch repair.
