Water proof vs. water resistant once and for all...

[clbriere]

Hello all, so here it is for my first post...

Looking at the following link (Recent Reviews), I found an unhappy Suunto Yachtsman user who explained he ended up catching water with his Yachtsman even though he did not go deeper than 72ft with a 30m water resistant Yachtsman. In response to the user's comments, an "expert" answered what follows:

"Hi Michael, the first thing I should let you know is that the Suunto watches are not water proof, they are water resistent to 100 ft..."

As far as I'm concerned, both expressions are equal although I tend to agree with one of this forum's 2002 users (Brad) who stated:

"water "resistant" means that. You can take it under water, but do NOT press any buttons. That's the real difference between water resistant and water proof. On a dive watch that is water proof, you can press buttons for function."

That seems to be the appropriate answer as opposed to that of the expert, is there something else I should know about water proof vs. water resistant? Shouldn't any Suunto 30m water resistant watch be good for AT LEAST 30m, hence justifying the user's concerns?

Thank you!

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Suunto Yachtsman - Click for more info For the demanding outdoor enthusiast comes the Suunto Yachtsman - a combination sailing timer, barometer, and compass, with all the features of an advanced timepiece. The Yachtsman comes equipped with a mineral crystal glass face, carbon fiber back, and a weatherproof polyurethane resin/fabric band to ensure maximum durability.

[Tyler]

In recent years (at least the past 10) I have never seen anything referred to as water proof. My guess is there is too much liability with a claim of water proof. Every watch I've owned has always been water resistant to a certain depth, even if it is a dive watch.

A Rolex is water resistant so long as you don't unscrew the crown to change the time. The same is true for non-dive Suunto instruments - they are not designed to be operated under heavy water pressure, even though they can take the pressure if you are not pushing the buttons. Suunto has a very successful dive line, which is specifically designed to operate under water.

I've never had a leak in any of my Suunto's, and have used them in the pool/shower etc - but when I go diving - I where a dive watch.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

[clbriere]

Well perhaps I will never see a watch identified as "water proof" but, if I see "water resistant to 100m", I will still expect it to be capable of going down to that depth. If the watch goes berzerk near this depth, I would still expect the warranty to be effective. That might be the most important thing to check out before buying: warranty fine prints vs. indications engraved onto the bezel...

So for me, the difference between the 2 types of watches remains the same along with a distinction pertaining to the depth range one can reach as opposed to the other.

[summit21]

I own a Suunto Vector, and had it serviced for condensation under the lens about 4 mos. back. Well just 2 days ago it had condensation under it again. I never wear it in the shower, nor swim in it, but still have condensation issues. I did wash my truck with it on the other day, the bucket was less than 1m deep. My watch is only 10 mos. old, so I am very dissappointed Suunto owner at this point. They serviced it very nicely the first time, even touching up scratches on the face and repainting the word suunto. A watch of this quality should not have these problems though. I will be contacting them on Monday morning, not sure if I will ever buy another Suunto though.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Suunto Vector - Click for more info Suunto's original Wristop Computer, the Vector changed the face of sport watches forever with its groundbreaking combination of features, including an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, digital log book, and watch. Introduced in 1998, the Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. In addition, the Vector won the prestigious European Outdoor Award - Product of the Year in 1999/2000.

[cdmackay]

Originally Posted by clbriere

Shouldn't any Suunto 30m water resistant watch be good for AT LEAST 30m, hence justifying the user's concerns?

Sadly. no. The "depth" quoted by all watch manufacturers in their water resistance claims has nothing to do with a physical water depth, but is instead indicative of the static pressure used during the successful pressure test.

Actually waving your arms around under water creates a dynamic water pressure far in excess of the static pressure extered by that depth of water.

For swimming (not diving) watches marked 100m are ok. But only as long as you don't press any of the buttons.

For button-pressing in a pool, or anything more demanding, including SCUBA, 200m marking should be the minimum considered, and even then I would get a watch that explicitly claims to be suitable for diving.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

[tzd]

...interestingly enough, a search in wikipedia for water proof brings up a water resistant result...

Check it out:

Water Resistant mark - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Note the Water_Proof at the end of the URL.