Expert: Melvin Mills - 11/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: I've read conflicting explanations online about this - but if a watch is water resistant to 165 ft or 50 meters, can I go swimming in a pool (maybe even take a jump off the diving board?) or shower with it?  Is there a difference in what "water resistant to 50m" means between watch companies or or between types of watches?

Thanks in advance for your help.

- Rick in Woodstock

ANSWER: Rick,

This is a terribly confusing issue. I wish the FTC would come up with a better system.

The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water IF THE WATCH AND THE WATER ARE PERFECTLY MOTIONLESS.  These conditions are never met in the real world. In real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated in labratory tests.

Watches with the lowest level of water resistance are labeled simply "water-resistant." They can withstand splashes of water but should not be submerged. The most common designations are

-50 meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet), which means the watch is suitable for swimming;

-100 meters; indicating it can be worn snorkeling;

-200 meters, suitable for recreational scuba diving and,

-1,000 meters (roughly three-fifths of a mile).

Watches in this last category can endure deep-sea diving. Their gaskets are made of materials that can withstand the helium used in decompression chambers. Some have valves that let the wearer release the helium that has seeped into the watch so the case won't explode as the watch and diver adjust to normal atmospheric conditions.

Those are the official guidelines.  I like to error toward safety.

I would tell you that 50m is good for showering, where the watch is not being submerged.

100m is good for swimming.

You can imagine the pressure that is exerted on the watch when entering the water via a diving board so I would recommend only using a watch rated 200m for that.

If you like water sports, there is no recreational water sports/activities you cannot do with a watch that is rated 200m.

Kind regards,

Melvin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ouch...I had FINALLY found a Tissot that i really liked and the price was right (Men's T-Sport PRS516 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch #T91.1.483.31)- I was hoping that "50m resistant" meant I could keep the damn thing on when I took my 4 & 6 yr olds to the pool!  I could probably deal with not diving into the pool, but no way I could stay motionless in the water!

Gosh you'd think if a watch could keep out water motionless at 165ft, that it could keep out water at 6-10ft with some splashin around.

Well I do appreciate your response, you guys (and gals) provide such a great service on this website - and hey if you're trying to get rid of any 100m+ resistant watches, send me a pic!

- Rick in Woodstock


ANSWER: Rick,

In which Woodstock do you live?

It is up to you.  The official designation states that 50m is suitable for swimming.  
I would say that you are PROBABLY ok with that.  I always like to error on the side of safety
and that is why I made the more strict suggestions.

What is it that you like about that Tissot?  I might be able to make some watch suggestions if
I know what it is you are looking for and what you definitely would not accept.

Kind regards,

Melvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Melvin, thank u for your timely response!  I'm in Woodstock, New York.  Thank you for your followup, I appreciate you clarifying that it is kind of a "grey zone" when it comes to 50m water resistance and that it may or may not be a problem with the somewhat "limited" activity I might be doing - On the one hand I wouldn't be motionless, but on the other, I'm not on a swim team or anything.  I understand that it's kind of a gamble.

I have been in the market for a metal band watch that I can wear at work every day.  I'm a physician assistant at a hospital and I tend to get my hands dirty - I need a watch I can wipe down with alcohol at the end of the day.  I was also looking for something I wouldn't necessarily have to take off at the pool or in the shower.  Or while exercising (I run, the family hikes, we're fairly active).

I liked that Tissot for
-it's uncluttered face,
-the fact that it has numbers and not dashes,
-and that I could get it for $200 - $250 (absolute top price for me would
be 500).  
-I need to have the date, AND it's a big plus (tho not a necessity) to have the day of the week on it (my schedule is always changing, sometimes I do overnite shifts - I NEVER know what day it is!)
- the automatic mvmt is a plus but not a necessity
- I initially wanted a chronometer and timer function but I suppose I could live without it

Initially I was thinking about this

http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-American-Collection-Chronograph-T17-1-686-42/dp/B00

but the other Tissot just looks nicer to me - more numbers, less cluttered.  Here's a couple of Hamiltons I am considering, of course the more expensive one is the one I'm really digging:

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-H64541153-Khaki-Scuba-Watch/dp/B000UV70SY/ref=pd_

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Watches-Khaki-Scuba-Automatic/dp/B00193CVWW/ref=s

How's that for a long winded followup-followup question?  I appreciate your patience :-)

As I am still somewhat new to the whole watch thing, any watch suggestions or "pearls of wisdom" would be helpful.

Peace Love and Music to you, brother.

- Rick in Woodstock  

Answer
Rick,

Prepare to be amazed.

Since there is no hospital in Woodstock, you might work at Kingston or Benedictine Hospital.

You like to hike.  You have probably taken the famliy up overlook mountain to the fire tower.

Close?  Impressed?

Although I live in Woodstock, Georgia, I am originally from SAUGERTIES!

Now to the watch stuff.

50m is the industry standard for swimming.  50m will probably serve you fine.  It is at the lower limit for sure.   I hate to cut it close, especially  when you are paying several hundred dollars.  You probably won't create 50m worth of pressure just from swimming.

For me personally, I would not swim with less than 100m.  

My first thought was to recommend a Hamilton as a substitute.  There are many models that will likely meet your requirements.

Let me take a look over the next few days and I will send some ideas your way.

Kind regards,

Melvin