Water resistance is an important feature of a watch that provides a protection against water. So understanding the water resistant rating is especially important for buyers. In this blog post, we will explain watch water resistant meaning, study water resistant chart, distinguish water resistant vs waterproof, and help you choose the right watch for your needs. Let’s go into the world of water resistant watch.

What does water resistant mean

Water resistance is the ability of a watch to withstand water to a certain extent. It is important to note that water resistance does not guarantee that the watch is completely waterproof. Water resistance can only mean that it guaranteed the watch to be waterproof for a certain period or under certain conditions. If you want to know the water resistance rating of your watch, you can check the case back or dial for the words WATER RESISTANT. Watch manufacturers will produce different water resistance ratings for their watches to meet the needs of different customers.

Watch water resistance chart

Watch water resistance chart outlines the different water resistance ratings in atmospheric pressure (ATM). Each ATM rating indicates the pressure a watch can withstand without water penetrating the case. Let’s inspect the different water resistant rating.

0ATM/0 BAR/O M/0ft

0ATM water resistant watch are not suitable for wearing in any water and should be kept away from wet environments. Some unscrupulous watch makers will glamorize a 0ATM water resistant as a water resistant construction watch.

1ATM/1 BAR/10 M/33ft

1 ATM water resistant watch can withstand a depth of 10 meters and are suitable for rain or accidental splashes, but cannot be submerged in water. The water resistant of cheap plastic and alloy watches are 0 ATM or 1 ATM. but watches manufacturers will not test 0ATM water resistant watches, but will test 1ATM watch by water testing instrument.

3ATM/3BAR/30 M/100ft

3ATM water resistant watch can withstand minor flooding, such as hand washing or light rain. They are not suitable for swimming or diving. 3ATM watch is suitable for everyday use. They can withstand splashes and raindrops. However, they are not suitable for prolonged immersion in water.

5ATM/5BAR/50 M/165ft

You can swim or snorkel with 5ATM water resistant watch but is not suitable for intense water activities such as scuba diving. If your watch says it’s 5 ATM water resistant, it’s almost identical to a 3 ATM watch, so 5 ATM watches are only good for everyday life as well. They are resistant to splashes and raindrops. Some people may tell you that 5 ATM watches can take a shower, but it’s really not recommended because hot water can cause the water resistant ring to expand causing water to enter the watch case and damage the movement, watch hand and other parts of a watch.

Also, the maximum water resistance of alloy watches is 5 Bar. If you want to make a watch with higher water resistant requirement, the case material is usually stainless steel, tungsten steel and other hard materials, and the watch glass cannot be acrylic crystal.

10ATM/10BAR/100 M/330ft

The 10 ATM watch is appropriate for recreational diving and water sports, but not for deep diving.

The case material of 10bar watches is at least 316L stainless steel. In addition, the crown of 10 ATM water resistant watches is screw down and the watch crystal is sapphire crystal or sapphire coating thickened mineral glass.

20ATM/20BAR/200 M/660ft

20 ATM watch can withstand greater water pressure and are suitable for swimming, surfing and diving.

Similarly a 20 ATM water resistant watch requires a screw down crown and case back, and the watch glass must be sapphire crystal and thicker than a 10 ATM watch to withstand heavier underwater pressure. 20 ATM water resistance is a feature of dive watches. To make it easier to read the time in the deep sea, a 20 ATM diver’s watch is usually equipped with a full lume dial watch or watch hand lume. The strap material is usually water resistant, such as rubber, silicone or stainless steel.

30ATM/30BAR/300 M/990ft

30 ATM watch are highly water resistant and can withstand extremely deep water pressures, making them ideal for professional divers. A 30ATM watch requires a helium escape valve for deep-sea diving, besides the features mentioned for a 20ATM watch.

Waterproof vs water resistant

Although the terms “water resistant” and “waterproof” are sometimes used interchangeably, it is necessary to clarify the difference. Water resistant watches are resistant to water, as showed by the ATM rating. On the other hand, while a “waterproof” watch should theoretically be water resistant. But no watch is guaranteed to be permanently waterproof. Not only are watches not permanently waterproof, but other products such as waterproof cell phones also fall under the same category. They can only be waterproof for a specific period or under certain conditions.

Trusted Water Resistant Watch Supplier- Watchessy

When buying a waterproof watch, it is vital to choose a trustworthy watch supplier. Watchessy is a reputable watch manufacturer that offers watches with different water resistant rating to ensure that customers can find the best watch for them. In addition, if entrepreneurs want to start a watch company, then they should choose watchessy, watchessy can help customers to choose the right watch accessories to achieve the desired waterproof rating watch while minimizing the cost.