What Is waterproof?

[Agrispeed]

I'm Looking at watches for a friend, who wants to go swimming, and would like a small gents watch, with a budget of £50...

however, in my searches (mainly of Seiko autos, because as a first and only watch, Autos just seem a bit more special...) Ive only seen ones which are 30m water resistant or so.

I remember a while back about different depths meaning different things, with 30m or so meaning only splash proof, but I cant seem to find it...

I've heard that Seiko say 200m on theirs, because otherwise individual watches would have to be checked for any deeper.

So, Discuss! What does the ratings mean, and what would you have as a minimum?

[Disco You]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Resistant_mark

[Blakeatron]

Dont know if it bothers me as I would only ever go swimming in one and never diving - even then I woukd not wear a 'posh' watch.

Saying all that the G shock I am wearing says its water resistant to 20bar - which is quite deep I think.

[Agrispeed]

so, as I see it, normally, you want the highest water resistance, as its only based on one test sample and when new, in perfect conditions.

Divers watches take account into much more, which is also why they are branded as 200m+, and more expensive.

Hmmm... Time to tell my friend to stop being so tight...

what's the cheapest swimming-proof watch? (small though, for a girl) that could be used swimming? as a first and only watch, so auto preferable..

[rhinochopig]

Agrispeed said:

so, as I see it, normally, you want the highest water resistance, as its only based on one test sample and when new, im perfect conditions.

Divers watches take account into much more, which is also why they are branded as 200m+, and more expensive.

Hmmm... Time to tell my friend to stop being so tight...

what's the cheapest swimming-proof watch? (small though, for a girl) that could be used swimming? as a first and only watch, so auto preferable..

A cheap Casio will be fine for swimming in. I've dived in a cheap 20 year old timex iron-man that I had as a kid and it was fine. For swimming a 20 quid casio will be more than adequate. If he wants to spend a bit more look at the cheaper G Shocks.

Point him at creation watches for some good prices.

[LukeBird]

I've used my 50m Seiko Chrono for swimming all over the place (it's getting on for 7 years old and has never had new seals/gaskets) and it's been fine.

[sneijder]

It's the pressure you need to think about too.

If you fall out of a boat, you'll be 1 meter under water, but if you fall off whilst water skiing the initial pressure as the watch slams into the water will be huge. This is when water finds its way in.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

So is my '300m Omega Seamaster' everything it's cracked up to be? Would it really be safe down to that level?

No, I won't be trying anytime soon

[Agrispeed]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

So is my '300m Omega Seamaster' everything it's cracked up to be? Would it really be safe down to that level?

No, I won't be trying anytime soon

I think over 200mish they have to test more watches per batch produced, and if it says 'diver' on it, (or just because its an Omega) it has more rigorous tests, such as internal pressure, saline, and 120odd% of the pressure its rated for, they also test the seals over time, and movement of the crown etc...

So, high end and divers watches are good, others are a bit bksy really, as they only work upto that depth in perfect circumstances, when new.

[RicksAlfas]

Agrispeed said:

I'm Looking at watches for a friend, who wants to go swimming, and would like a small gents watch, with a budget of £50...

however, in my searches (mainly of Seiko autos, because as a first and only watch, Autos just seem a bit more special...) Ive only seen ones which are 30m water resistant or so.

I'm not sure if it counts as small but Vostok Amphibias are automatic, 200m rated and £50'ish.

[LukeBird]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

So is my '300m Omega Seamaster' everything it's cracked up to be? Would it really be safe down to that level?

No, I won't be trying anytime soon

Yeah it'll be fine.
They're a hardy watch, I froze mine and it was fine.

Good shout on the Vostok as well.

[trickywoo]

I've been diving to more than 20 meters with a 20 year old Seiko kinteic rated at 50m waterproof and its been fine.

I know someone who did the same with a cheap Lorus that IIRC wasn't even rated as waterproof and it was fine.

The same person went down to about 15 metres with a 10atm rated Fossil and it leaked like a bastid and the crown fell out.

In short I'd say you'll be fine swimming / snorkiling with a 50m rated Seiko.