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Waterproof?

S

silentscreams22

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 8, 2008
43
2
Does anyone know if the Apple Watch Sport is waterproof? I take in aerobics swim class three days a week and would like to know if the watch could withstand water the class is 45 minutes long.

If it does not withstand water is there a waterproof case?
 
silentscreams22 said:
Does anyone know if the Apple Watch Sport is waterproof? I take in aerobics swim class three days a week and would like to know if the watch could withstand water the class is 45 minutes long.

If it does not withstand water is there a waterproof case?
Click to expand...

Directly from Apple
  1. Apple Watch is splash and water resistant but not waterproof. You can, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain, and while washing your hands, but submerging Apple Watch is not recommended. Apple Watch has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529. The leather bands are not water resistant."
 
The good news is that true swim-testing is showing the watch outperforms the recommendation by Apple. My watch was on me in the pool all summer. Works perfectly.
 
I swim with mine all the time. No issues other than audio is garbled until it dries out.
 
It shouldn't be damaged.

But it won't be operable. The touchscreen hates wet fingers.

When I try using mine in the shower (yes, really), I have to blow any water off the screen and also blow my finger dry. After that, it's still not 100% reliable with how it perceives my touches.
 
Apple states a water resistance rating of IPX7, meaning then device has been approved for water immersion up to 1meter for 30 minutes.
Anecdotally, some people have found that the Apple Watch is capable of even deeper immersion for even longer periods of time.
Bottom line - it'll be fine in the rain and in the shower. It's fine to rinse it off under warm water. But be careful wearing it in the pool.
 
I get mine wet a lot (including rinsing it off every day after my workout) but I still wouldn't wear it while swimming. If it did get damaged I would be pretty pissed at myself ;-)
 
I would not wear it swimming. Apple has enough back peddling in their statement to cause me to not get in the habit of getting it wet. I don't wear it in the shower either. My biggest fear with the watch is dropping it on the tile floor when I take it off to shave/shower. I'm just very careful to not rush it.
 
Newtons Apple said:
If you choose to wear your watch while swimming you will find out quickly if Apple glued the front and back on correctly. Many have gone swimming with the watch with no harm.
Click to expand...

Nothing says high quality like a glued together watch -- I wonder if Apple uses the same kind of glue as Rolex? ;-)
 
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I have worn my Apple Watch SS with sport band swimming at the Y about 30 times now without an issue including in the shower after. At home, I have worn in the shower about 5 times after yard work. Still works like a charm. I basically wear my watch to the rating level and not more.
 
BlueMoon63 said:
I have worn my Apple Watch SS with sport band swimming at the Y about 30 times now without an issue including in the shower after. At home, I have worn in the shower about 5 times after yard work. Still works like a charm. I basically wear my watch to the rating level and not more.
Click to expand...
While the :apple:Watch FAR exceeds the IPx7 rating and would probably rate an easy ATM5, you are actually well exceeding the IPx7 rating when swimming (I do the same and it is NO problem). IPx7 is a minimum of 1 meter in static water for 30 minutes. Acceleration forces when swimming can except several ATM of pressure in shallow water. Even the ATM3 rating (which is a higher [or is it lower?:D] rating than IPx7) is listed as "Not suitable for swimming".

Again the :apple:Watch FAR exceeds it's IPx7 waterproof rating.
 
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Julien said:
Even the ATM3 rating (which is a higher [or is it lower?:D] rating than IPx7) is listed as "Not suitable for swimming".
Click to expand...
My Rado, rated for 3 atm/30 m, is just fine for swimming, according to the manufacturer.

I'll disregard the myths about "dynamic pressure" that you're citing. I'm in the middle of grocery shopping with my wife.
 
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I wore my Sport in the ocean a few days in Maui and it held up great (minus the garbled audio until drying out). Just be sure to rinse with fresh water after going in the pool/ocean.
 
I've worn my watch in the shower 75+ times without issue. I do quickly blow out the water from the dial and speaker when I get out of water. As others have said, if you wear it in the ocean, rinse it in tap water, and you'll be good to go.
 
Does anyone know how these are built for prolonged use with swimming?

Example: More classic watches that claim some waterproofing to varying meter depths and used for water activities have maintenance options later on in life of rebuilds with new seals and gaskets. When a battery dies on my swiss armies (brand I grew to favor) I get asked if I would like this service. have not used as used cheaper say 150 ish options in the past but latest was around 500 so it may be the first years from now.


does apple have this option mechanically, seal/gasket replacement? I have found its not 1 season of swimming that kills gear. Its several. Especially mixed pool/sea water. I know divers on diver rated gear still turn stuff in. Sea water usage even with the best of post dive cleaning still needs some PM love beyond rinse with clean freshwater at some point.

this is me coming from a more traditional mindset possibly. My latest classic watch as it were not something I will letting go anytime soon (ie. flipped on ebay when gen 2 or even 3 comes out which we know will happen with apple watch). I am more in the traditional mindset of watches have a history to them, unless strapped for cash in a bad way you don't pawn them as it were.

10 years from now my boy will be 16. Like fathers past have done...my current watch could after a fresh battery and some service be passed on to him. It won't be pulp fiction level of watch turn over story quality lol....but words of I kept this hunk of metal in good order for 10 years and in summers I get a good swimming routine of 9+ hours total weekly for about 4-5 months and now its your turn could be used.
 
hiddenmarkov said:
Does anyone know how these are built for prolonged use with swimming?
Click to expand...
Built no. But, many on this forum have posted that they have taken the AW swimming so far without issues.

The watch is not built to be serviced. It is glued together. My hunch is that its design comes from more of a disposable mindset rather than a many-years-of-continued-service mindset.
 
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But no one here speaks of exposing the AW to water for the purpose of cleaning it.

How does one go about caring for the watch? Is warm water and soap the method of choice on an aluminum case and a sport band?
 
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