In this video we talk about water resistance ratings and answer the question, are Rolex watches waterproof? Click here to shop our full selection of Rolex watches:
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex/Water resistance is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts within the world of watches. People often see depth ratings and assume that the watch is meant to be used in the water - however this isn’t quite the case.
100 meters of water resistance means that a watch is probably up to the task of handling whatever aquatic activities you have planned (assuming that its gaskets are in good shape), but a watch with a 30 meter depth rating should not really be taken underwater at all - let alone down to 30 meters.
Among Rolex’s current catalog, the smallest depth rating you will find is 50 meters, which applies only to the Cellini range. The crowns and case-backs screw down on modern Rolex Cellini watches, but they are not classified as Oyster cases and they do not offer the same water resistance as their Oyster-case siblings.
50m of water resistance means that you are probably fine against incidental content and brief immersion in water, but the watch was not really designed for the task. The Rolex Cellini collection is the brand’s line of dress watches. It was simply not designed for use in water, and the fact that it is now only fitted with leather straps confirms that.
100 meters is the most common depth rating for Rolex watches. Models such as the Datejust, Day-Date, Air-King, Sky-Dweller, and Milgauss all have 100m depth ratings. However, many of Rolex’s sports models like the Explorer, GMT-Master, Daytona, and Yacht-Master also have 100m ratings, despite the fact that many of them now use the same Triplock winding crown that is fitted to Rolex’s dive watches.
100 meters of water resistance means that unless you are scuba diving, you are probably fine wearing your Rolex. Although 100m is the minimum depth rating required for dive watches, Rolex models with 100m ratings were not actually designed for scuba diving.
300 meters is the depth rating where Rolex’s divers start, and it is the depth rating of the Rolex Submariner - arguably the most famous dive watch ever created. Additionally, you get that same water resistance regardless of the metal option you choose for your Submariner.
1,220 meters is the next step up for Rolex depth ratings, and this is the point where the brand also starts to introduce helium gas escape valves. It should be noted that helium escape values only come into play during saturation diving, and they are not actually related to the water resistance rating of a watch. The standard 300m offered by the Submariner is enough for any type of scuba diving, so the 1,220m offered by the Rolex Sea-Dweller is more than generous.
Lastly, 3,900 meters is the depth rating offered by Rolex’s ultimate dive watch: the Deepsea, and it can literally accompany you to the deepest parts of the ocean. Fitted with a helium escape valve, and featuring a special case construction (known as the Ring Lock System) that supports both the crystal and caseback against a hardened steel center ring, the 3,900m depth rating offered by the Rolex Deepsea is more water resistance than you will ever need.
Testing the water resistance of a watch requires special equipment, and there are several different types of machines. Some do not use any water - these ‘dry test’ machines use a sealed chamber and measure tiny metrics such as crystal deformation. Other types - known as ‘wet tests’ - submerge the watch and use changes in air-pressure to identify potential leaks.
Not all types of pressure testing machines can be used to properly measure the depth ratings of all watches; however getting your timepiece’s seals regularly checked and replaced is a crucial part of ownership if you plan on wearing your watch in the water.
Even a professional dive watch can let water in if maintenance is neglected for too long and the seals degrade past the point of functionality. Getting your watch’s gaskets checked on a regular basis is the easiest way to avoid potential moisture damage.
Lastly, water-resistance is just a measurement of a watch’s ability to resist external static pressure. Factors such as chemicals, extreme temperatures, or rapid temperature fluctuations can all put strain on a watch’s gaskets, which can ultimately lead to them prematurely failing.
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