Watch Care & Maintenance
Should You Polish Your Luxury Watch? The Honest Truth About Scratches, Refinishing & Resale Value
Watch Water Resistance Explained: What 30m, 50m, 100m, 200m Really Mean
The Honest Water Resistance Table
| RATING | ATM | REAL-WORLD SAFE FOR | NEVER DO THIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30m | 3 ATM | Light rain, cold hand-washing, accidental spills | Shower, swim, sauna, hot tub |
| 50m | 5 ATM | Hand washing, car sprinklers, brief rain exposure | Swimming, diving, any hot water |
| 100m | 10 ATM | Surface swimming, light snorkeling, sailing | Scuba diving, high-speed water sports |
| 200m | 20 ATM | Free swimming, snorkeling, shallow recreational diving | Saturation diving, professional marine work |
| 300m+ | 30+ ATM | Scuba diving, saturation, open-ocean use | — (this rating is built for it) |
Real Experience: The Shower That Killed a $2,000 Watch
Which Watch Should You Buy, Based on Your Lifestyle?
Thin-cased dress watches under 8mm look sharp with a suit. They handle rain and hand-washing — take them off before you stand near a pool. See our dress vs. sports watch guide to match your outfit.
A 200m dive-style automatic handles free swimming, snorkeling and shallow recreational diving without worry — but keep it out of hot water anyway. Explore our dive-style automatics below.
Water Resistance Picks From Our Collection
Watch Water Resistance FAQ
Water Resistance FAQ
Surface swimming, light snorkeling and sailing are fine at 100m (10 ATM). Avoid high-speed water sports and any diving. And always rinse with fresh water and dry it after salt or chlorine exposure.
Hot water and steam are the killers. Heat degrades gaskets and the temperature swing creates a vacuum effect that pulls moisture inside. Even a 300m professional diver should come off before the shower or sauna.
Yes — 50m (5 ATM) handles hand-washing, rain and accidental splashes for office and casual wear. It is not rated for swimming or submersion, and never for hot water.
ATM is atmospheres — units of static pressure. 1 ATM equals roughly 10 meters of depth. So a 3 ATM watch is tested to about 30 meters of static pressure, but that’s not the same as being swim-proof in real life.
Have the gaskets pressure-tested during regular service — every 2–3 years for frequent swimmers, every 5–7 years otherwise. If you see condensation inside, stop wearing it and get it serviced immediately.
A 200m+ dive watch with a screw-down crown is fine for ocean swimming and recreational diving. Rinse it in fresh water afterward and keep the crown screwed down tight.