Water Resistance Ratings, Decoded

Water resistance ratings are measured in laboratory conditions, at rest, not underwater with your arm moving through waves or under a shower jet with the temperature swinging. As a rule of thumb: 30m means splash-resistant only — rain, handwashing, nothing more. 50-100m covers swimming and showering. 200m and above, like our TAG Heuer Aquaracer line, is genuinely built for snorkelling and recreational diving.

A few habits protect any water-resistant watch: never operate the crown or pushers underwater or when wet, rinse salt water off promptly, and have the gaskets checked every couple of years — they are rubber, and rubber ages whether the watch gets wet or not. If in doubt, treat it as splash-resistant and you will never be caught out.