The water resistance of your watch

The term water resistance stands for the property of not allowing water to penetrate the watch. Watches can be protected against water and moisture in different ways. However, due to the complexity of the individual components and their design, they can never be completely leak-proof, but only made more or less resistant to water penetration.

Water resistance is usually expressed in bar (bar), meters (m) or atmospheres (ATM). However, meters cannot be equated with the depth of a dive. The duration and durability of the water resistance of a watch is limited and is influenced by the daily use of the watch. Seals age at different rates depending on use and wear. Strong temperature fluctuations, violent impacts or chemical reactions caused by sweat, solvents and cosmetics accelerate the ageing of the sealing elements. Furthermore, the watch should be rinsed with fresh water after the stay in the sea, because the salt water can attack the seals of the watch. We recommend an annual check of the watch for water resistance.

For information on the water resistance of your watch, refer to the information on the case back (indicated in ATM) or on the dial of the watch (indicated in meters). The following information shows which activities are possible during normal use without damaging your watch.

3 bar ≈ 3 ATM (≈ 30 m)

The watch is protected against sweat and water splashes. The watch is not suitable for showering or swimming.

5 bar ≈ 5 ATM (≈ 50 m)

The watch is suitable for daily use and can be worn for example when washing hands, in the rain, taking a shower or washing the car.

10 bar ≈ 10 ATM (≈ 100 m)

The watch is suitable for daily use and can be worn for example when washing hands, in the rain, taking a shower or washing the car. The watch can also be used for light water sports such as swimming or snorkeling.

20 / 30 bar ≈ 20 / 30 ATM (≈ 200 / 300m)

The watch is suitable for daily use and can be used in addition to diving with equipment.

50 bar ≈ 50 ATM (≈ 500m)

The watch is suitable for daily use and can be used in addition to diving with equipment.

100 bar ≈ 100 ATM (≈ 1000 m)

This watch is suitable for daily use and professional diving.