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Apple Watch 2 in pool no exercise

H

hokiepokie07

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 20, 2009
601
11
My question on the Apple Watch 2 deals with using it in a pool for non-exercise. When I take my kids to the pool this summer, is it safe to keep my watch on in the pool, or should I take it off? I would imagine my watch/hand would be underwater most of the time.

Thanks!
 
How would the hardware know or react to water exercise. Software tells hardware: 'Batten down the hatches' we are about to exercise in the water.:D
 
50 meters is standard depth rating for all water resistant watches. Of course,as I said,it's no problem in a bath pool for kids,but if the aw2 is so good as you think under water,why is it not rated for 250 meters,like my old mechanical Rolex submariner and my doxa diving watch? The Apple Watch is ok for light swimming and bathing,but I would not trust it at 30 meters depth...
 
Stefan johansson said:
50 meters is standard depth rating for all water resistant watches. Of course,as I said,it's no problem in a bath pool for kids,but if the aw2 is so good as you think under water,why is it not rated for 250 meters,like my old mechanical Rolex submariner and my doxa diving watch? The Apple Watch is ok for light swimming and bathing,but I would not trust it at 30 meters depth...
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True, but most pools are only 9-10' max. I can't imagine a scenario where it would be a problem to wear an AW2 in the pool, kiddie pool or not.

Fenix 3, mentioned also isn't dive rated. Its water rating is 10ATM, which while twice as good as the AW2, is still only suitable for recreational surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and water sports. Not suitable for diving.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Resistant_mark

The other watches you mention are in a whole different genre and more suitable for driving obviously. But I don't think twice about the AW2 in the pool and so far it hasn't been an issue.
 
SDColorado said:
True, but most pools are only 9-10' max. I can't imagine a scenario where it would be a problem to wear an AW2 in the pool, kiddie pool or not.

Fenix 3, mentioned also isn't dive rated. Its water rating is 10ATM, which while twice as good as the AW2, is still only suitable for recreational surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and water sports. Not suitable for diving.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Resistant_mark

The other watches you mention are in a whole different genre and more suitable for driving obviously. But I don't think twice about the AW2 in the pool and so far it hasn't been an issue.
Click to expand...

Yes,exactly what I said,but of course,you need to be a bit more careful with the Apple Watch in water.
Guess I am a bit paranoid about water resistant watches,but that might be because my experiences as North Sea oil rig diver.
 
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Stefan johansson said:
Yes,exactly what I said,but of course,you need to be a bit more careful with the Apple Watch in water.
Guess I am a bit paranoid about water resistant watches,but that might be because my experiences as North Sea oil rig diver.
Click to expand...

I can see how that could make you a little less trusting of the rating, but if the damned thing can stand up to some recreational swimming in a 10' pool, why bother stamping it :)
 
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Stefan johansson said:
Yes,exactly what I said,but of course,you need to be a bit more careful with the Apple Watch in water.
Guess I am a bit paranoid about water resistant watches,but that might be because my experiences as North Sea oil rig diver.
Click to expand...
SDColorado said:
I can see how that could make you a little less trusting of the rating, but if the damned thing can stand up to some recreational swimming in a 10' pool, why bother stamping it :)
Click to expand...
good point,guess it's just my paranoid mind.
 
SDColorado said:
I can see how that could make you a little less trusting of the rating, but if the damned thing can stand up to some recreational swimming in a 10' pool, why bother stamping it :)
Click to expand...

Technically, Stefan Johansson is correct about when he said the Apple Watch Should Only be used in shallow water, as specified in Post #8. Apple specifies the Watch can "Be used in shallow water activities." But they tend to be conservative with ratings, especially being the Series 2 is rated 50 meters/160 Feet.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205000

" Apple Watch Series 2 may be used for shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. However, Apple Watch Series 2 shouldn't be used for scuba diving, water skiing, or other activities involving high velocity water."
 
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warburg said:
Isn't it a good idea to swipe up on any screen and turn on the blue teardrop feature before entering a pool or rinsing off your watch?
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No. Water lock is automatic when you start swimming to prevent any accidental display taps. When completed, you turn the crown to eject any water.

To manually clear water from Apple Watch, swipe up on the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center, tap Water Lock, then turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear water from the speaker.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205000
 
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OK, but the manual states that "When you start a swimming workout, your Apple Watch automatically locks the screen with Water Lock to avoid accidental taps." It doesn't say anything about simply entering a pool without doing a swimming workout.
 
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warburg said:
OK, but the manual states that "When you start a swimming workout, your Apple Watch automatically locks the screen with Water Lock to avoid accidental taps." It doesn't say anything about simply entering a pool without doing a swimming workout.
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Worked fine for me over the weekend in the pool! I just swiped up when I arrived at the pool and clicked the water icon. I wasn't working out in the pool with my kids, just swimming and playing, so I wasn't trying to document any swimming exercise.

When I got home, I locked it again with the water icon and just ran it through fresh water to get the chemicals and chlorine off.
 
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Well, that's what I meant. I click the teardrop water icon in the Control Panel before entering the pool or before washing the watch.
 
On a slightly off-topic but relevant note: does anybody shower with an S2? Does it cope well with soap and stuff?
 
SDColorado said:
That same tester swam laps for 1000 m with the Original/S0 watch as well. Even the original Apple watch, only rated "splash proof" seems to be more water resistant than advertised.
Click to expand...

The original Apple Watch was definitely underrated for water use. I did a lot of lane swimming (usually 1000m at a time) and open water swimming (upwards of 1500m in several triathlons) with mine for over a year before upgrading to the Series 2.

Lol I still remember the September Event when the video started for the Series 2 introduction and a swimming standing at a pool, I was so pumped just from seeing that.
 
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