2021/11/03
Is that $10 – $15, or even that $40 – $70 watch actually water PROOF? It says that it is, so it must be right? Listings for cheap Chinese watches get pretty loosey goosey with their claims sometimes …
The example above is a pretty sweet timepiece (the “S-Shock” is a little further down the alphabet from Casio’s more expensive, “G-Shock” I guess), and WOW! It’s waterproof!! Or so it says. Take the time to look past the titles, which appear to be nothing more than keywords spammed into the title to get into your search results. The specifications for this particular watch however, reveal it to be rated at only 3Bar … that’s mild water resistance at best! This means you can wash your hands and not worry about a little overspray and it will make the run from the car to the front door under a rain cloud, but water PROOF. Don’t bet on it.
So, what do you need to look for in order to get a watch that will withstand the tidal forces you intend on subjecting it to? Casio provides a chart on their site which I have dutiful replicated here below.
| METERS (M) | BAR (ATM) |  |  |  |  |  |  100M | 200M |  |
| 30 | 3 |  | | ||||||
| 50 | 5 | | | | | | |||
| 100 | 10 | | | | | | | ||
| 200 | 20 | | | | | | | | |
| Diver’s | Watch 200M | | | | | | | | |
30M Water Resistance: Wearable while water is being splashed but not under any pressure.
50M Water Resistance: Wearable around sinks, during swimming, athletic sports, in shallow waters, but not while snorkeling or scuba diving.
200M Water Resistance: Wearable around sinks, during swimming, poolside diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, but not while scuba diving.
DIVER’S WATCH 200M: Wearable while scuba diving at depths not requiring helium gas.
ATM=Atmosphere
Only watches marked with the words “DIVER‘S WATCH 200M” can be worn while scuba diving (with air tanks).
Even if a watch is water-resistant, do not operate its buttons or crown while it is submersed in water or wet.
However, “DIVER’S WATCH 200M” casing models permit underwater button operation.
After submersion in seawater, use plain water to rinse all salt and dirt from the watch.
Even if a watch is water-resistant, avoid wearing it in the bath or in area where detergents (soap, shampoo, etc.) are being used.
Such conditions can reduce water resistance.
So I guess my adventure-filled “S-Shock” digital chronograph may only be good for washing hands, but for $12 how much adventure are you expecting?!
Bourghetto Gentry 