Water Resistant Vs. Waterproof Watches
There are virtually no differences between a water-resistant watch and a waterproof watch. No watch is 100 percent waterproof. A watch wearer performing routine daily tasks will find little significance in the distinction.
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Origins
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"Waterproof" watches began to appear in the mid-1920s with the development of the Rolex Oyster watch, which was manufactured with seals to keep water out of the case, according to Watches.co.uk.
ISO Changes
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Watches made up to about 1970 were identified as "waterproof," but the introduction of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 2281 changed the identification to "water resistant" as a more accurate term.
Not 100 Percent
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A water-resistant watch repels water but is not waterproof. No timepiece is completely impervious to water.
Virtually the Same
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The term water resistant is viewed by watchmakers and sellers as being waterproof only up to a certain amount of water exposure.
Ratings
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A watch rated at 30 meters, for example, simply means the watch has seals that allow the watch to be worn while washing a car, taking a short shower or withstanding skin perspiration. Complete submersion in water will likely ruin it .
Seals
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Some watches, such as scuba watches, have stronger seals to better withstand water depths of up to 35 feet, but resistance lessens as the seals get older.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit watch image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
