What is it

Water-resistance means a watch is sealed against dust and water. It refers to the pressure the watch can withstand, measured in atmospheres or bars.
Pressure is a force applied to a surface where 1 bar = 1 kg / sq. cm.

There are two types of pressure:

  • Relative or hydrostatic pressure which is the pressure exerted by water.
  • Absolute pressure which is water pressure + atmospheric pressure.

The water-resistance indicated on a watch usually corresponds to relative pressure. During diving, the pressure on the watch is absolute pressure. At sea level (zero altitude), atmospheric pressure equals 1 bar and increases by 1 bar for every 10 metres below sea level.

  • 10 metres = 2 bars
  • 20 metres = 3 bars
  • 100 metres = 11 bars

Freshwater has a density of 1, meaning one litre of fresh water weighs 1 kg.

Saltwater has a density of 1.026 because of the salt it contains.

In reality, relative pressure increases by 0.98 bar in freshwater and by 1.007 bars in saltwater.

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