Water Resistance Performance of Smartwatches and Connected Watches: Can They be Worn in the Pool?

Defining Water Resistance in Terms of Smartwatches and Connected Watches

Various terms are used for expressing water resistance performance. If you want to be able to easily compare watches, you need to understand these terms first.

Commonly used units of measurement include "m (meters)," "bar/atm (atmospheres)," "WATER RESISTANT/W.R.," and "Daily Water Resistance". We're going to explain in detail the level of water resistance required in the performance of daily activities.

Take a look at the following table of regular wristwatches to easily understand how water resistance is defined.

Four Types of Water-Resistant Wristwatches

Many people want a water-resistant wristwatch, but the level of water resistance required varies from person to person. This includes those who simply worry about sudden rain showers, those who need to wear a wristwatch while doing work involving water such as washing cars or dishes, and those who wish to wear a wristwatch while swimming, skin diving, scuba diving, or other forms of water and marine sports. Here we introduce water resistance functions in various scenarios.

1. 1Water resistance for daily use against rain, perspiration, etc.

   While situations in which we get soaked with water are rare, people will find a wristwatch with a water resistance of 3bar sufficient if they are simply worried about the effects of rainwater or perspiration. Watches with this setting are not suitable for work involving water or swimming, but their level of water resistance is just enough for performing daily activities. They will be fine if you happen to splash a little water on them while washing your hands whenever you get home, or if you get them a little wet in light rain showers.

   A water resistance of 3bar is the minimal level required to proceed with daily activities. On the other hand, it is best to remove your watch if you wish to enjoy water sports or expect to get wet in water rides and attractions at amusement parks and the like.

2. 2Water resistance against splashes

   A water resistance of 5bar or more will ensure that the watch remains safe even if you participate in water sports or other activities where you can get splashed with water. Wristwatches with this setting can be used not only for sports and recreation, but also for work that requires frequent contact with water. Although they have a higher level of water resistance than those designed for everyday use, 5bar is still not enough for skin diving.

3. 3Water resistance for water sports and fishing

   Wristwatches with a water resistance of 10bar to 20bar or more can be safely used in the fishing, agriculture, and car washing industries, and when doing water sports such as swimming, fishing, yachting, surfing, and motorboating. They can also be used for skin diving.

   However, button operations are often not possible when water drops have adhered to the watch. People who wish to fully use their smartwatch or connected watch while doing water sports must take particular care. If you wish to listen to music while swimming, then you need to check whether the watch you want has that function before buying it.

   Although watches with a water resistance of 10bar are basically considered as suitable for swimming, this usually only applies to careful entry into swimming pools and swimming. Many people enjoy diving when swimming, but water may seep inside the watch if they do so because more water pressure is applied to the wristwatch when diving. Seeping may occur not only when diving, but also when doing other intense activities, so care must be taken.

4. 4Complete water resistance

   Watches with water resistance for skin diving and saturation diving are completely safe to use in all situations involving water.

   Water-resistant models for diving (water resistance of 200m to 300m) are recommended when scuba diving. Except for the digital models, these wristwatches are equipped with a mechanism for measuring dive time and decompression stops.

   Water-resistant models for saturation diving (water resistance of 300m to 1,000m) can withstand pressure to a water depth of 300m to 1,000m and comes with a helium release valve.