ATG Logo

Blog


Location: BlogsATG Vintage Watches    
Posted by: ATG 25/08/2006 09:47


Watches don't say 'waterproof' anymore because of a legal battle which started in the 60's I believe regarding the failure of a watch and a claim against the manufacturer.

I get asked about this all of the time so here is a quick synopsis put together from a US site.

Waterproof: This is the supposed capability to completely exclude the possibility of water entering into any working portion of a watch. According to the Federal Trade Commission, no watch is 100 percent waterproof. Watches sold in the United States can only be referred to as "water resistant."

Water resistant: A watch that is described simply as "water resistant" can handle light moisture, such as a rainstorm or splashes from a sink, but it should not be completely submerged in water for any length of time.

Some watches are designed to be submerged, and these watches will state a specific depth such as "water resistant to 50 meters." Some watches measure water resistance in atmospheres (ATM); one atmosphere is equal to 10 meters of water pressure.

Watches can come in many different resistant depths:

Water Resistant (no depth indicated)Watch can handle light moisture but should not be submerged.

Water Resistant to 50/100/150 Meters (165 to 490 feet)Watch can be worn swimming, snorkelling, etc.

Water Resistant to 200 Meters (660 feet)Generally the accepted minimum standard for dive watches.

I will add more as I go!

AL


 
 
Permalink |  Trackback

Comments (1)   Add Comment
Re: Waterproof! or 'Wate Resistance' ?    By dalstott on 15/09/2006 16:47
I guess Schauer hasn't been aware of the USA rules (see forum title "waterproof".)


Your name:
Title:
Comment:
Add Comment   Cancel