water-resistance
What is the meaning of Water Resistant?
A watch labelled as water-resistant that does not have an engraved mark means that it is resistant to the spillage of water that is accidentally spilt on the watch, this type of watch is not suitable for high water contact.
There are many ways to wrist watch water-resistance:
These watches use an "O" -shaped ring or plastic washer to seal the back cover, crown, and watch pumps. In some watches the back case or the crown is screwed into the watch's body, which creates a lot of resistance.
Important points to note:
Rubber ring washers and the like materials are used in all water-resistant watches. It is better to avoid approaching your watch to unusual heat for the extra care!
Land of Watches advises you to use your waterproof watch in the sea and places with noticeable climate change and expose it to water with the crown pushed in.
Jacuzzi, dry and steam sauna, and exposing the watch to direct sunlight will destroy the resistance of your wristwatch.
- Every 10 meters is equal: to 1 bar or 1-atmosphere air pressure.
- Water Resistance : Water resistance up to 50 meters (for everyday water use)
- Waterproof : from 50 meters up (for more practical use)
- (Water Resistance ) : Resistant to accidental wetting of the watch, such as; Rain, sweating and other occasions.
- Water-resistant 30 meters: This watch is resistant to moisture but not suitable for swimming or bathing
- Water-resistant 50 meters: It is suitable for getting wet, bathing, and swimming in shallow water.
- Explanation: In some brands, the waterproof level of 50 meters makes the watch resistant to only moisture, but in some other brands, it is possible to use the watch while swimming in shallow waters.
- Water-resistant 100 meters: This watch is suitable for swimming in shallow waters.
- Water-resistant 200 meters: This watch can be used for deep diving and plunging.
- Water-resistant 200 meters and above: These watches can be used for deep-sea diving.
Brief history
Rolex introduced the first waterproof watches in 1950, but these were not the first watches used by divers until then.
During World War II, Italian Army divers used a device to keep the watch underwater, which was equipped with an extra helmet to reduce the ingress of water into the watch. Still, unfortunately, things did not always go well! Around 1930, Omega introduced a rectangular case watch that was theoretically up to 100 meters water-resistant and was used by William Beybeh up to 14 meters underwater.
In 1820, a few brave men wanted to walk on the seabed, and measuring time underwater was probably their priority. They came up with a straightforward solution, putting a pocket watch inside their diving helmet. They always had time in front of their eyes and next to the altimeter. One way to do this was to attach the watch case to the diving helmet, as portrayed in the picture, so that the watch could be detached from the helmet whenever needed.