Timm Delfs and Andrea Martel (NZZ)
Published on October 16, 2024 at 12:45 p.m. / Modified on October 16, 2024 at 5:15 p.m.
Trends, portraits, analyses: “Le Temps” is joining forces with the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” as part of a series of articles devoted to watchmaking and fine jewelry. Our dedicated file
To be able to bear the “waterproof” label, a watch is subject to severe requirements: it must withstand a pressure of 2 bars for 10 minutes, or the pressure that prevails at a depth of 20 meters. In addition, it must be able to stay for an hour in 10 centimeters of water, without there being the slightest humidity inside. And there should be no problem when soaking it alternately in cold and hot water. This is what the ISO 22 810 standard, in force since 2010, and its Swiss counterpart NIHS 92-20, require.
One could imagine that such a watch could be worn for showering or swimming without any problem. But, strangely, many watchmakers recommend something else. They often say that a watch declared waterproof is “only protected against splashes” and should only be “cleaned carefully with a damp cloth”. If you intend to wear your watch for swimming, you must choose one that has been tested to at least 5 bars.
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