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Reference tool

Watch Water Resistance Guide

Pick an activity to see the water-resistance rating we would look for, and what common ratings do — and do not — guarantee.

“Water resistant” with no depthSplashes and rain. Treat it as unsuitable for swimming.
30 m / 3 barRain, splashes and hand-washing. Not for swimming.
50 m / 5 barLight, brief swimming for many brands; avoid diving in or high-impact water.
100 m / 10 barSwimming, snorkelling and most surface water sports.
200 m / 20 bar and ISO 6425 diversHeavy water use. Divers’ watches certified to ISO 6425 pass stricter tests and suit recreational scuba.

What a rating does not mean

  • The metre figure describes a test pressure, not a depth you can safely take the watch to. Movement, impacts and temperature changes all affect real-world pressure.
  • Water resistance is not permanent. Seals age, so have it pressure-tested periodically if you swim with the watch.
  • Never operate the crown or chronograph pushers underwater, and make sure a screw-down crown is fully closed before getting wet.
  • Heat (hot showers, saunas, hot tubs) and chemicals such as soap and chlorine can degrade seals over time, whatever the rating.
  • Leather straps are not made for water — switch to rubber, fabric or a metal bracelet.

Standards: ISO 22810 covers general water-resistant watches and ISO 6425 covers divers’ watches. Your watch’s own manual always takes priority.

Why ratings can mislead

A watch’s water-resistance rating comes from a static pressure test in controlled conditions. Real life is different: swimming strokes, diving into a pool, waves, hot water and ageing seals all affect whether water stays out. That’s why a 30 m watch isn’t suitable for swimming, even though you’ll never swim 30 metres down.

Read the full explainer, Watch Water Resistance Explained, or see our picks for affordable dive watches.