Earlier today, I was at a jewelry store checking out settings for an engagement ring. This is a long-standing, well-known store in the Boston area. I overheard a conversation between a lady who works at the store and an older man who was interested in a Rolex:

Lady: "You can wear a Rolex anywhere. That's what is so special about them."

Old Man: "Really? Even in the water?"

Lady: "Oh yes. They are waterproof."

Old Man: "Waterproof, huh? Not just water resistant?"

Here I smirked, because I knew at that point that the old man knew his fair share about those terms and that no watch is actually waterproof.

Lady: "Yes. Rolexes are unlike any other brand because they are actually waterPROOF, not just water resistant!"

I thought back to all the threads and articles I've read about those two terms and how they have changed over the years in terms of what watch manufacturers say and don't say about their watches. I thought her info was slightly misleading, but I think the old dude knew what he was getting himself into.

Anyway, just thought I'd share. Not the most interesting story, but it's still fun to hear conversations like these out in the wild.

 

I’d report it to jeweler. But that’s me. False advertising.

 

I'd consider it more if I wasn't in the process of crafting a ring. You'd expect everyone to remain professional and ethical, but I don't want to risk anything until everything is said and done on my end.

 

The word waterproof regarding watches has been forbidden in North America since some time around the mid-1950s. Do you ever see the word in modern advertising or in P O S materials such as brochures, warranties, signage, and the like? I don’t wear any of my Rolex watches in water.

 

Right, so claiming that a watch is “waterproof” is certainly false advertising. On the other hand, you sure could wear your Rolex in the water if you wanted to. They’re good at not leaking. However, you and I (I presume) would rather wear a $200 dive watch into the ocean than an $8,000 one. It’s just best not to risk it and be paranoid when it comes to that - but it’s all personal preference.

 

but then there is this from the Rolex website...

 

And this...

 

Those statements of the watch being waterproof are all qualified by depth ratings. You'll never find a watch referred to as simply "waterproof."

 

Agreed....but the OP and subsequent posts were about the use of the term waterproof instead of water resistant, not the depth rating being specified. It is clear that Rolex uses this term (along with the depth rating).

 

Amongst the Rolex watches I have bought (and sold) over decades was a Rolex Submariner. It was during the 1980s, and I worked for a Rolex dealer. A guy brought his Submariner in for repair. He was a marine biologist who spent a lot of time diving off the west coast of Canada. I recommended the watch be sent to Rolex for servicing, owing to his wearing patterns. He declined the offer, and took the watch to another Rolex dealer who had watchmakers on staff. He left it for servicing. Several months later, who should walk into my store with his watch in a plastic bag, in a litre of water. The water in the watch was up past the 3:00 to 9:00 position. I dried it out for him, and assessed the damage the salt water had done. I ended up allowing him a trade in allowance for another Submariner. I bought the trade in for the amount of the allowance, bought what I needed, and serviced it. Rolex watches waterproof? Yes and no. Depends!

 

The terminology of water-resistant vs. waterproof is nuanced and legalistic, but the salesperson is correct that the customer could take a Rolex in the water. The bigger falsehood is that Rolex is unique in this regard.

 

Uh-ho! A thought just came to me regarding P O S which probably is an abbrevation of two things at the same time - Point of Sale and Pile of Sh+t. Can't seem to get that thought out of my head now!

 

Well that’s why I bought my 1963 Omega... It’s waterproof. Says so right on the case.

 

When the time comes to service my GMT Master, it will go back to the factory. To me that’s the only way to ensure that it remains water resistant. I’m a water rat so any watch that I wear for aquatic endeavors has to be up to snuff.

 

I don't know about that..........

 

I heard the exact same thing yesterday (AD in London, UK).

 

“Certified High Pressure Waterproof” .....ring any bells with anyone on an Omega Forum?

 

Hahaha. This is too great.

 

There may be some jurisdictions that still permit use of the word “waterproof”. But the word is no longer permitted on watches imported into Canada or the U S for re-sale, to the best of my knowledge. Of course, this would not apply to watches prior to about 1950-55 or so, at which time legislation came into effect. And I am surprised to hear of an Omega that is actually marked waterproof, anywhere on the watch.