photo credit: devehf

Many times the first question that a customer asks me about the purchase of a new wristwatch is, “Can I wear it in the water?” Well, yes, no, maybe? It is a loaded question. Let me explain! Watches used to be advertised as waterproof for years, accidentally loaded in washing machines, they took their lumps and came out ticking. The waterproof label no longer exists so you must be very careful about what watch you’re wearing in the event of a spontaneous water encounter! We insiders rate a watch’s water “resistance” now! Here is the skinny on the system: 1 ATM(atmosphere) = 33 feet or 10 Meters or one BAR… all the same thing. Here is CTWG’s system to keep your watch dry, from years of watch repair experience, trust me, this is correct. 200 meters or greater is a dive watch, a strong water resistant watch, wear it in the ocean, wear it to dive etc. 100 meters is a swim watch, pool, minor water related activities. 30 meters is a repair watch, wear it in the water and get it repaired. Most watches fall into one of these three brackets, choose the type that best suits your activities. CTWG