If you are considering buying a 'waterproof' watch, here are a few points to bare in mind:
- there is no such thing as a waterPROOF watch, watches can only be water RESISTANT to certain depths/pressures
- the ATM rating relates to the STATIC pressure underwater a watch can tolerate. e.g. 3ATM = 30 metres. BUT this does not take account of rapid, repeated contact with water e.g. swimming.
- The minimum recommended ATM for swimming is 5ATM = 50 metres
- 3ATM = occasional contact with water (shower, washing up)
- *5 ATM = pool swimming to a maximum of water depth 2 metres
- 10 ATM = open water swimming, snorkelling
- 20+ ATM = diving
- Choose a larger faced watch, water will slightly distort the hands and numbers.
