Ever done a cannonball into a pool and realized you still had your phone in your pocket or worse your watch on your wrist? Unfortunately, the words “water resistant” don’t mean that your timepiece is “waterproof”.
While there aren’t any watches that are completely waterproof, many are to a depth and pressure. You may have noticed the letters ATM on the backside of your case next to a number. Short for atmospheres, this little combination specifies how many meters or feet your timepiece can be submerged without being damaged. Here’s a quick rundown:
- 3 ATM: 30 meters/100 feet = Everyday activities like washing your hands or rainy weather
- 5 ATM: 50 meters/165 feet = Short showers and swims
- 10 ATM: 100 meters/330 feet = Swimming and snorkeling
- 20 ATM: 200 meters/660 feet = High-impact water sports and recreational diving
- Diver: 250-300 meters/660-980 feet = Scuba diving
These ratings do diminish with age if you don’t have your watch serviced regularly, so keep that in mind. To keep you from resorting to yet another bowl of rice, we’ve compiled a few our customers’ favorite submersibles to keep your good times flowing through the beginning of Fall.
The Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic
Stylish and compact, the Navitimer 1 Automatic is the ultimate statement of elegance and sophistication for all your summer adventures. It boasts a self-winding mechanical movement, black and brown dial, 38mm stainless steel case and is water resistant up to 30 meters. It also features hours, minutes, seconds and date complications.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Watch
Beachside, poolside or in the deep, Hamilton's Khaki Navy Scuba is guaranteed to stay intact up to 100 meters. It features a black dial and a striking black and blue lapse bezel. The timepiece also boasts an automatic movement, date window and a rubber black strap.
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Watch
The Victorinox Swiss Army's I.N.O.X. timepiece is made to withstand lengths of the pool, long runs on the beach and extra volleyball points. It features a gray dial and stainless-steel case and is water resistant up to 200 meters. The timepiece protects a quartz movement and is secured with a stainless-steel bracelet.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial
Omega is well known for its performance under the seas as and in space - the brand has been a pioneer in both realms for a lifetime. This timepiece, with its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, features a black dial with a date window at the 3 o’clock position, certified chronometer, and is water resistant up to 600 meters. It is also characterized by a black ceramic unidirectional rotating divers’ bezel that is mounted on a 42 mm stainless steel case on a stainless-steel bracelet.