Men’s Luxury Watch Buyer’s Guide: Water Resistance

If you’re like most people, you want your men’s luxury watch to be waterproof. However, no watch is 100% impervious to water because it is comprised of so many working parts. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), manufacturers that sell watches in the US are not allowed to label watches as “waterproof”. The FTC requires manufacturers to refer to watches as “water resistant”.

Water resistance measures a watch’s ability to withstand water to varying degrees. In other words, water resistance is the level of protection a watch has from water damage. Water resistant watches can come into contact with water to a predetermined extent and be worn while showering, swimming, or even scuba diving.

How Water Resistance Is Measured

The water resistance of most men’s luxury watches is classified based on the depth of immersion that is considered safe. Watches that are labeled “water resistant” but do not specify a depth rating, like 50 meters, 100 meters, etc. are not designed to be submerged in water. If a watch can be submerged in water, it will state up to what depth it can maintain water resistance.

Water resistance is typically measured in static conditions in a laboratory, under the pressure of a certain depth in the water. If you swim or splash around underwater, you put a lot more pressure on the seals of your watch than you would if you remained still. Therefore, it’s always recommended that you stay well within the parameters of a watch manufacturer’s water resistance recommendations.

A watch that is water resistant to 30 meters can only handle light moisture, such as a rainstorm or splashes from the sink, and shouldn’t be worn when swimming or diving. Most sports watches have water resistance of 50 meters or more. A watch with this level of water resistance might be safe for taking a shower or going for a swim in a pool. With a watch that is water resistant to 100 meters, it is probably safe to swim in the ocean as long as you don’t go more than a few feet underwater. A watch that is water resistant to 200 or 300 meters is suitable for scuba diving.

Caring for Your Water Resistant Watch

Water resistance isn’t a permanent condition. As a watch ages, its water resistance diminishes because the gaskets that seal the watch get dry and brittle. Factors that may accelerate the drying of gaskets include exposure to soap, salt water, and chlorinated water from swimming pools. Sudden changes in temperature, such as going from a hot tub to a cold pool of water, can also cause the seals protecting your watch to lose their sealing capacity.

Have your watch inspected periodically. Get the gaskets on your watch changed at least every 18 months to maintain its water resistance. The gaskets on your watch should be changed annually if the watch is exposed to chlorinated water, salt water, and soap on occasion. The gaskets should be changed every six months if your watch is exposed to the aforementioned conditions on a regular basis.

Find Water Resistant Men’s Luxury Watches at JZ&F

JZ&F is a specialized international luxury group that offers high-end luxury men’s watches and jewelry. Several of the timepieces we offer are water resistant, such as the Franc Vila FVa15 Column Regulator with water resistance to 100 meters and the De Grisogono Novantatre N10 with water resistance to 30 meters. If you require assistance or have questions about any of the items we offer, please call 206.455.6557 (Seattle) or fill out our online contact form.

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