Difference Between A Waterproof Watch and Water-Resistant Watch
Waterproof watches are impenetrable to water and water-resistant watches can also stand a certain pressure of water. The two terms are always used together hence, it looks like they mean the same too.
Technically, the term waterproof might look similar to the term water-resistant but they are not the same. In this guide we will let you know the difference between a waterproof watch and a water-resistant watch.
What Is A Waterproof Watch?
A waterproof watch can withstand water and remains unaffected even after getting drowned into water. It means to have a timepiece that will not get penetrated by water in any way and will show no signs of damage even after years. So make sure you choose a waterproof watch that is reliable to be worn during your daily chores.
But, from a technical point of view all watches need a monthly or yearly fix. Moreover, they can only stand a particular capacity of water which describes them as a water-resistant watch.
What is a Water-Resistant Watch?
Water-resistant watches have a particular resistance capacity for handling water. Watches with upto 100M capacity are known as Divers watches and can resist most pressure of water.
A water-resistant watch cannot withstand moisture, heat or any damage to the gasket or case back. You cannot wear these watches in shower or in steam baths.
How To Test If My Watch is Water-Resistant?
Water-resistant watches are usually stamped with a label mentioning their capacity of water resistance. However, there are some criteria’s mentioned below that ensure a watch is water-repellent.
Condensation Test
A condensation test on a waterproof watch ensures no moisture can enter the watch. A Water-Resistant watch is heated to maximum 113 Fahrenheit during a condensation test and then a drop of water is placed on the glass to check if it gets moist from inside. No condensation means the watch has the capacity to resist water.
Pressure Resistance Test
Pressure resistance test on water-resistant watches is done to make sure if they have 100M capacity to resist water or not. A battery is placed on top of a waterproof watch during the pressure resistance test to check if there are any chances of leakage in maximum pressure of water.
Diver watches are more likely to get through such resistance tests to check their durability in maximum pressure of water.
Water Leakage Test
A water leakage test is similar to a condensation test but it can be done even without a scientific process. Today almost all smartwatches are go through this test make sure they are waterproof. Whenever you see any droplet of water inside your watch even after a slight contact with water this means that it is not water resistant.
Not just that but a water leakage test can also be performed if the needles of your water resistant watch starts to malfunction which means the water has entered its case. In this case you cannot consider the timepiece of yours as a waterproof watch.
What is the water-resistant capacity of a watch?
A water-resistance capacity determines the ability of a waterproof watch to withstand water pressure. It is measured in 3 ways namely ATM, M, BAR. Water resistance capacity above 10 ATM or 100M is considered best for swimming. Whereas a waterproof watch with capacity of 20 ATM or 200 M is considered best for diving.
Conclusion
Waterproof watches are always confused with water-resistant watches when technically they are different. There is a clear difference between the two and it is rare for a watch to be waterproof but a waterproof watch has many advantages over the regular watches. Because almost all watches available worldwide have the capacity to repel a specific pressure of water but they are not completely uninfluenced by it.
