[watch lover]

Hi members,

The point of water resistent is one very dear to my heart at present.

I cant understand for the life of me why so many of you here seem to throw your consumer rights away at the drop of a hat? I have been purchasing watches for around 40 years and untill a few weeks ago, and due to watch web sites, I had NO idea at all that there was some mystic secret watch industry regulations regarding the water resistence of watches. I wrongly ASSUMED that when a watch was rated in writing on the back with "water resistent 30M, 50M, 100M, or 200M etc I expected that watch to be WATER RESISTENT to the specified depth?

Please explain to me how so many posters here spend small fortunes on a product that is CLEARLY labeld with a specification in English yet it will apparently not perform to the standard. This is a scam and needs to be addressed. I am trying to do this. I am beginning with Oris as I have this years spent thousands of pounds purchasing their watches and am furious to now learn I cant take a 50M watch even in the swimming pool as it is 'technically' only able to withstand splashes or 'moisture'. Hello? Why do the manufacturers place this highly misleading data on the back and more important how on earth do they get away with it in the EC where we thankfully have consumer protection laws. A product purchased must be of merchantable quality, perform the task is is sold to do AND respect any claims made on the product. IE a can of baked beans when opened MUST contain eadible baked beans and not peas etc.

Why do so many of you pay so much and expect so little AND allow this scam to take advantage of people like me who believe what they read and TRUST manufacturers will not mislead me in my purchase.

To date I have been unable to find ONE industry code. I see many posters here giving data, where does this data come from?. I have been in thousands of watch shops all around the globe and NEVER seen such industry data published?

I am so sorry for the long and passionate post I just feel well and truly had!!! and I dont like it, and I am trying to do something about it.

Thank you for your kind attention and best wishes to you all.

To be honest Watch Lover, I don't think consumer rights / goods descriptions come into it as it's not sold as a hard and fast rule and hardly ever going to be put to the test. Take for example, a basic £25 plastic Swatch watch. These are designated 30m water resistant yet who in their right mind would want to test such a watch to that depth? It just isn't going to happen. The only people who would be at that depth are divers who'd be wearing a robust professionally designed watch for the job and even then, I'm told most use dive computers these days instead.

You mentioned that you had a 50m rated Oris - unless it's a diver / sports model, why would you want to intentionally get it wet, especially if it's a dress watch? I'm currently yearning for Roy's new RLT30 which on the back says 5ATM. Yet if or when I get it, there's no way that's going anywhere near water! But at least I'll be confident of it being OK if I get pushed into the river whilst I'm wearing it!

Despite Oris labelling their watch as 50m, I reckon you'd probably lose a consumer claim if you damaged it whilst swimming as they have clearly printed in their manual that they don't recommend anything wetter that splashes or moisture. I dare say it'd be Ok if you swam in it a few times but I get the impression that manufacturers are just covering their own arses with their ratings and recommendations.

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

I thank you for your kind reply. I have to say you are a retailers dream. Sell you what they like and just let you get on with it? Cant you even see the point I am trying to make? I am sounding like a parrot when I write that a product sold HAS to conform within consumer law. IF a watch is sold as water resistent to 30M it MUST be water resistent to 30M. Why would you consider a consumer stupid if they went swiimming with a 30M water resistent watch? Most pools are only 1 or 2 metres deep not even close to 30M?

I have scoured the hand books that come with my watches and non of them mention that the watch cannot do what it says on the case.

Please please dont tell me next that when the back case reads "sapphire glass" its only window glass BUT this I should also know due to some 'other' watch trade code?

Look, you buy a can of baked beans, you take it home and open it. What do you get.......Baked beans not peas? This is my point. I realy cant write more here as I find it such plain English. I would appreciate any other angle on this? How could I be so wrong. I do understand English.

Best wishes to you Andrew.

 

[JoT]

Hi members,

The point of water resistent is one very dear to my heart at present.

I cant understand for the life of me why so many of you here seem to throw your consumer rights away at the drop of a hat? I have been purchasing watches for around 40 years and untill a few weeks ago, and due to watch web sites, I had NO idea at all that there was some mystic secret watch industry regulations regarding the water resistence of watches. I wrongly ASSUMED that when a watch was rated in writing on the back with "water resistent 30M, 50M, 100M, or 200M etc I expected that watch to be WATER RESISTENT to the specified depth?

Please explain to me how so many posters here spend small fortunes on a product that is CLEARLY labeld with a specification in English yet it will apparently not perform to the standard. This is a scam and needs to be addressed. I am trying to do this. I am beginning with Oris as I have this years spent thousands of pounds purchasing their watches and am furious to now learn I cant take a 50M watch even in the swimming pool as it is 'technically' only able to withstand splashes or 'moisture'. Hello? Why do the manufacturers place this highly misleading data on the back and more important how on earth do they get away with it in the EC where we thankfully have consumer protection laws. A product purchased must be of merchantable quality, perform the task is is sold to do AND respect any claims made on the product. IE a can of baked beans when opened MUST contain eadible baked beans and not peas etc.

Why do so many of you pay so much and expect so little AND allow this scam to take advantage of people like me who believe what they read and TRUST manufacturers will not mislead me in my purchase.

To date I have been unable to find ONE industry code. I see many posters here giving data, where does this data come from?. I have been in thousands of watch shops all around the globe and NEVER seen such industry data published?

I am so sorry for the long and passionate post I just feel well and truly had!!! and I dont like it, and I am trying to do something about it.

Thank you for your kind attention and best wishes to you all.

To be honest Watch Lover, I don't think consumer rights / goods descriptions come into it as it's not sold as a hard and fast rule and hardly ever going to be put to the test. Take for example, a basic £25 plastic Swatch watch. These are designated 30m water resistant yet who in their right mind would want to test such a watch to that depth? It just isn't going to happen. The only people who would be at that depth are divers who'd be wearing a robust professionally designed watch for the job and even then, I'm told most use dive computers these days instead.

You mentioned that you had a 50m rated Oris - unless it's a diver / sports model, why would you want to intentionally get it wet, especially if it's a dress watch? I'm currently yearning for Roy's new RLT30 which on the back says 5ATM. Yet if or when I get it, there's no way that's going anywhere near water! But at least I'll be confident of it being OK if I get pushed into the river whilst I'm wearing it!

Despite Oris labelling their watch as 50m, I reckon you'd probably lose a consumer claim if you damaged it whilst swimming as they have clearly printed in their manual that they don't recommend anything wetter that splashes or moisture. I dare say it'd be Ok if you swam in it a few times but I get the impression that manufacturers are just covering their own arses with their ratings and recommendations.

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

I thank you for your kind reply. I have to say you are a retailers dream. Sell you what they like and just let you get on with it? Cant you even see the point I am trying to make? I am sounding like a parrot when I write that a product sold HAS to conform with consumer law. IF a watch is sold as water resistent to 30M it MUST be water resistent to 30M. Why would you consider a consumer stupid if they went swiimming with a 30M water resistent watch? Most pools are only 1 or 2 metres deep not even close to 30M?

I have scoured the hand books that come with my watches and non of them mention that the watch cannot do what it says on the case.

Please please dont tell me next that when the back case reads "sapphire glass" its only window glass BUT this I should also know due to some 'other' watch trade code?

Look, you buy a can of baked beans, you take it home and open it. What do you get.......Baked beans not peas? This is my point. I realy cant write more here as I find it such plain English. I would appreciate any other angle on this? How could I be so wrong. I do understand English.

Best wishes to you Andrew.

You are completely missing the point, the watches are resistant to the depth stated on the case ... the fact that they may not be if used diving or swimming is a different matter altogether! The watches also conform to consumer law, but I haven't got the time to explain why ...

I thought only Anglo-Saxons ate baked beans?

 

[Roy]

30m on a watch means that it has been tested to a pressure equal to 30m in static lab conditions.

It does not mean that the watch is suitable for using at a depth of 30m.

This has been well documented and has even been on Watchdog in the past.

 

[TikTok]

So does this mean it's ok to take a can of beans to the pool.or not?

I looked on the label and can't find any info on this matter.

where's the consumer protection when you really need it?

 

[artistmike]

An interesting news article from the 'Swiss Watch News 2006 ' 'Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH' states

' Participants firstly exchanged information concerning economic growth in the sector, observing that developments generally were positive in the different markets and prospects for 2006 also seemed quite favourable. Attention was drawn however to a general decline in volumes. A detailed discussion then took place on revisions of the standard ISO 2281 "water-resistant watches" on which subject important differences still exist between different member countries of the ISO. It will not therefore be easy to find a compromise in all areas of the discussions (whether or not to take into account swimming poses a particular problem). Competence in this matter lies with the committee ISO TC 114. '

So it would seem that this is something still causing controvery within the trade.

 

[pugster]

this debate still running?

,yes its ok to take a can of bake beans into a pool tho there is no insurance that it will remain waterproof, however, the can does not say its waterproof to 'x' metres so it doesnt bull**** you either

 

[knuteols]

Hmm... interesting thread

If I found myself at 200M depth ( or even 5M ) I would have other things to worry about than if my watch was waterproof or not... That's just me though... I can barely swim

Knut

 

[Boxbrownie]

Wow, you are passionate mate. Good luck in your quest. Please do let us know how you get on.

FWIW my car speedo reads up to 180mph... my car doesnt go 180mph tho.....

Just as well Jon.......or your noddle would blow off!

 

[marius]

Is there anyone here who has taken a fairly new watch, marked "Water resistant" or "5 atm", swam with it, and found that it had gotten water inside?

Actually, how many have had any watch get wet inside from rain, shower, swimming in a pool, or skin diving? I am obviously not talking about a "dress watch" with a pop-off back and a rattling crown. Just regular "sport watch" not a diver's watch.

I am not a deep water scuba diver. I dont own a single "diver's" watch. I do a lot of stuff that get my watches submerged. I have not yet gotten water into a single one. To my mind, that is good enough.

If you are buying a watch, (like any other tool) for a very specific purpose, you buy one that is rated for what you want to do with it. Untill it fails in that specific purpose, you cannot tell me that it will. In Fact, unless you have drowned a 5 atm watch at 50 meters, you have no way to tell me that my 5 atm watch will not survive at 50 meters.

I have just bought another $10 real sissy looking watch, marked 5atm water resistant, and I am going to strap this thing to a mixer impeller and try to drown it. Has anyone done anything about quantifying the so-called "much higher pressures" that a watch experiences during quick arm movement in water? What is really the effect of fast movement? What is percentage increase in perceived depth pressure? Unless you are being chased by something, how fast does a scuba diver really move his arms?

This kettle of fish seems to have turned into a can of beans.

 

[Running_man]

Hi members,

The point of water resistent is one very dear to my heart at present.

I cant understand for the life of me why so many of you here seem to throw your consumer rights away at the drop of a hat? I have been purchasing watches for around 40 years and untill a few weeks ago, and due to watch web sites, I had NO idea at all that there was some mystic secret watch industry regulations regarding the water resistence of watches. I wrongly ASSUMED that when a watch was rated in writing on the back with "water resistent 30M, 50M, 100M, or 200M etc I expected that watch to be WATER RESISTENT to the specified depth?

Please explain to me how so many posters here spend small fortunes on a product that is CLEARLY labeld with a specification in English yet it will apparently not perform to the standard. This is a scam and needs to be addressed. I am trying to do this. I am beginning with Oris as I have this years spent thousands of pounds purchasing their watches and am furious to now learn I cant take a 50M watch even in the swimming pool as it is 'technically' only able to withstand splashes or 'moisture'. Hello? Why do the manufacturers place this highly misleading data on the back and more important how on earth do they get away with it in the EC where we thankfully have consumer protection laws. A product purchased must be of merchantable quality, perform the task is is sold to do AND respect any claims made on the product. IE a can of baked beans when opened MUST contain eadible baked beans and not peas etc.

Why do so many of you pay so much and expect so little AND allow this scam to take advantage of people like me who believe what they read and TRUST manufacturers will not mislead me in my purchase.

To date I have been unable to find ONE industry code. I see many posters here giving data, where does this data come from?. I have been in thousands of watch shops all around the globe and NEVER seen such industry data published?

I am so sorry for the long and passionate post I just feel well and truly had!!! and I dont like it, and I am trying to do something about it.

Thank you for your kind attention and best wishes to you all.

To be honest Watch Lover, I don't think consumer rights / goods descriptions come into it as it's not sold as a hard and fast rule and hardly ever going to be put to the test. Take for example, a basic £25 plastic Swatch watch. These are designated 30m water resistant yet who in their right mind would want to test such a watch to that depth? It just isn't going to happen. The only people who would be at that depth are divers who'd be wearing a robust professionally designed watch for the job and even then, I'm told most use dive computers these days instead.

You mentioned that you had a 50m rated Oris - unless it's a diver / sports model, why would you want to intentionally get it wet, especially if it's a dress watch? I'm currently yearning for Roy's new RLT30 which on the back says 5ATM. Yet if or when I get it, there's no way that's going anywhere near water! But at least I'll be confident of it being OK if I get pushed into the river whilst I'm wearing it!

Despite Oris labelling their watch as 50m, I reckon you'd probably lose a consumer claim if you damaged it whilst swimming as they have clearly printed in their manual that they don't recommend anything wetter that splashes or moisture. I dare say it'd be Ok if you swam in it a few times but I get the impression that manufacturers are just covering their own arses with their ratings and recommendations.

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

I thank you for your kind reply. I have to say you are a retailers dream. Sell you what they like and just let you get on with it? Cant you even see the point I am trying to make? I am sounding like a parrot when I write that a product sold HAS to conform within consumer law. IF a watch is sold as water resistent to 30M it MUST be water resistent to 30M. Why would you consider a consumer stupid if they went swiimming with a 30M water resistent watch? Most pools are only 1 or 2 metres deep not even close to 30M?

I have scoured the hand books that come with my watches and non of them mention that the watch cannot do what it says on the case.

Please please dont tell me next that when the back case reads "sapphire glass" its only window glass BUT this I should also know due to some 'other' watch trade code?

Look, you buy a can of baked beans, you take it home and open it. What do you get.......Baked beans not peas? This is my point. I realy cant write more here as I find it such plain English. I would appreciate any other angle on this? How could I be so wrong. I do understand English.

Best wishes to you Andrew.

I think John and Roy have answered the question perfectly. It's not as simple as doing exactly what it says on the tin. You have an Oris which is marked 50m yet in the manual they advise not to swim with it on as it isn't suitable to do so. The fact that it's covered in the manual saves Oris from any comeback on the offchance that somebody decides to swim down to a depth of 50 metres and it fails.

I wouldn't go swimming wearing a watch on that is marked 30 or even 50 meters and I don't think anyone with any common sense would either but to reiterate a statement I made earlier in this thread:

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Many other purveyors of goods and services follow a similar policy of explaining the terms and conditions of the features of their product. I believe it's commonly known as small print. I'm well aware of this which is why I'm not exactly a retailer's dream. Especially with what little wealth I have!

I'm lucky if I can afford a tin of beans at the end of each month!

Kind Regards,

Andrew.

 

[Boxbrownie]

Ooooo really very interesting this thread.....I have several Omega SMP's and would happily swim, dive, splash, bomb or snorkel (to look at bikinis underwater ) with them......I also have a Omega Multi Function 120 Seamaster which has no srew down crown and would be very wary to swim with it, although I am sure Omega reckon I could quite safely.

Actually I don't quite know what my point is

so I'm going to have my tea now

Best regards David

 

[watch lover]

Hi members,

The point of water resistent is one very dear to my heart at present.

I cant understand for the life of me why so many of you here seem to throw your consumer rights away at the drop of a hat? I have been purchasing watches for around 40 years and untill a few weeks ago, and due to watch web sites, I had NO idea at all that there was some mystic secret watch industry regulations regarding the water resistence of watches. I wrongly ASSUMED that when a watch was rated in writing on the back with "water resistent 30M, 50M, 100M, or 200M etc I expected that watch to be WATER RESISTENT to the specified depth?

Please explain to me how so many posters here spend small fortunes on a product that is CLEARLY labeld with a specification in English yet it will apparently not perform to the standard. This is a scam and needs to be addressed. I am trying to do this. I am beginning with Oris as I have this years spent thousands of pounds purchasing their watches and am furious to now learn I cant take a 50M watch even in the swimming pool as it is 'technically' only able to withstand splashes or 'moisture'. Hello? Why do the manufacturers place this highly misleading data on the back and more important how on earth do they get away with it in the EC where we thankfully have consumer protection laws. A product purchased must be of merchantable quality, perform the task is is sold to do AND respect any claims made on the product. IE a can of baked beans when opened MUST contain eadible baked beans and not peas etc.

Why do so many of you pay so much and expect so little AND allow this scam to take advantage of people like me who believe what they read and TRUST manufacturers will not mislead me in my purchase.

To date I have been unable to find ONE industry code. I see many posters here giving data, where does this data come from?. I have been in thousands of watch shops all around the globe and NEVER seen such industry data published?

I am so sorry for the long and passionate post I just feel well and truly had!!! and I dont like it, and I am trying to do something about it.

Thank you for your kind attention and best wishes to you all.

To be honest Watch Lover, I don't think consumer rights / goods descriptions come into it as it's not sold as a hard and fast rule and hardly ever going to be put to the test. Take for example, a basic £25 plastic Swatch watch. These are designated 30m water resistant yet who in their right mind would want to test such a watch to that depth? It just isn't going to happen. The only people who would be at that depth are divers who'd be wearing a robust professionally designed watch for the job and even then, I'm told most use dive computers these days instead.

You mentioned that you had a 50m rated Oris - unless it's a diver / sports model, why would you want to intentionally get it wet, especially if it's a dress watch? I'm currently yearning for Roy's new RLT30 which on the back says 5ATM. Yet if or when I get it, there's no way that's going anywhere near water! But at least I'll be confident of it being OK if I get pushed into the river whilst I'm wearing it!

Despite Oris labelling their watch as 50m, I reckon you'd probably lose a consumer claim if you damaged it whilst swimming as they have clearly printed in their manual that they don't recommend anything wetter that splashes or moisture. I dare say it'd be Ok if you swam in it a few times but I get the impression that manufacturers are just covering their own arses with their ratings and recommendations.

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

I thank you for your kind reply. I have to say you are a retailers dream. Sell you what they like and just let you get on with it? Cant you even see the point I am trying to make? I am sounding like a parrot when I write that a product sold HAS to conform with consumer law. IF a watch is sold as water resistent to 30M it MUST be water resistent to 30M. Why would you consider a consumer stupid if they went swiimming with a 30M water resistent watch? Most pools are only 1 or 2 metres deep not even close to 30M?

I have scoured the hand books that come with my watches and non of them mention that the watch cannot do what it says on the case.

Please please dont tell me next that when the back case reads "sapphire glass" its only window glass BUT this I should also know due to some 'other' watch trade code?

Look, you buy a can of baked beans, you take it home and open it. What do you get.......Baked beans not peas? This is my point. I realy cant write more here as I find it such plain English. I would appreciate any other angle on this? How could I be so wrong. I do understand English.

Best wishes to you Andrew.

You are completely missing the point, the watches are resistant to the depth stated on the case ... the fact that they may not be if used diving or swimming is a different matter altogether! The watches also conform to consumer law, but I haven't got the time to explain why ...

I thought only Anglo-Saxons ate baked beans?

Hi Jot,

I am MORE than willing to accept I am missing the point. Perhaps you could explain how a water resistent watch to 50M IS water resistent but NOT to swim in? I am thick please accept this and explain to me in ABC how this works? Please do.

Thank you for your kind attaention.

 

[andy100]

Well I performed a very unscientif test yesterday and took an old 'Storm' watch (some people might remember the brand, they still produce distinct fashion watches. Some nice, some ming

) that I didn't like into the shower with me with the crown out. Having kicked it around the deeper pools of water in the shower bottom for a good 10 mins and let all of the soapy water cover it, it wasn't touched at all inside by water. After this, I levered the push-in caseback off, and discovered the only seal there was the caseback itself and the molded plastic that held the quartz movement in place inside the case! And this is in a fashion watch rated to 50m!

Now I'm not trying to use this example for either side of the argument

but I for one was given more confidence in wearing any of my 100m WR watches in the shower or swimming pool!

Andy

 

[Running_man]

Actually I don't quite know what my point is

so I'm going to have my tea now

Best regards David

Baked beans by any chance?!

 

[watch lover]

30m on a watch means that it has been tested to a pressure equal to 30m in static lab conditions.

It does not mean that the watch is suitable for using at a depth of 30m.

This has been well documented and has even been on Watchdog in the past.

Hi,

You write "well documented". Please give me the address where I can find this 'code'.

My watch does not say "in static lab conditions' only water resistent to 50M?

In English water resistent 50M means just that no matter how you choose to play with the words? I didnt invent the English language but I can read it and understand it. Splash prrof or moisture prrof mean just that. Why not use those terms?

Thanks for the reply.

So does this mean it's ok to take a can of beans to the pool.or not?

I looked on the label and can't find any info on this matter.

where's the consumer protection when you really need it?

Getting realy silly here BUT. If the can of beans has written on the can 'water resistent to 50M' then of course you can expect the bean can to be just that. Your point being?

A watch is not resistent to flame throwers so it doesnt say it is on the back? Please lets write some common sense here? Respects to you but your point is very immature?

Best wishes

 

[raketakat]

Actually I don't quite know what my point is

so I'm going to have my tea now

Best regards David

Baked beans by any chance?!

Have you accounted for the fart gas variable?

 

[JoT]

Hi Jot,

I am MORE than willing to accept I am missing the point. Perhaps you could explain how a water resistent watch to 50M IS water resistent but NOT to swim in? I am thick please accept this and explain to me in ABC how this works? Please do.

Thank you for your kind attaention.

You have either not read of have not understood my earlier posts ... but here it is again:

The test as performed by the manufacturers is in a laboratory under conditions as specified in the ISO or equivalent national standard. In real life there are many other variables to be taken into account, for example: the condition of the watch, age of the seals, rapid changes of temerature, activity being undertaken, accidentaly knocking the crown etc etc etc. The test does not, and is not, intended to replicate real life.

Manufacturers quite sensibly allow a considerable saftey factor when considering their recommendations for use, it's all quite simple really.

 

[watch lover]

Hi members,

The point of water resistent is one very dear to my heart at present.

I cant understand for the life of me why so many of you here seem to throw your consumer rights away at the drop of a hat? I have been purchasing watches for around 40 years and untill a few weeks ago, and due to watch web sites, I had NO idea at all that there was some mystic secret watch industry regulations regarding the water resistence of watches. I wrongly ASSUMED that when a watch was rated in writing on the back with "water resistent 30M, 50M, 100M, or 200M etc I expected that watch to be WATER RESISTENT to the specified depth?

Please explain to me how so many posters here spend small fortunes on a product that is CLEARLY labeld with a specification in English yet it will apparently not perform to the standard. This is a scam and needs to be addressed. I am trying to do this. I am beginning with Oris as I have this years spent thousands of pounds purchasing their watches and am furious to now learn I cant take a 50M watch even in the swimming pool as it is 'technically' only able to withstand splashes or 'moisture'. Hello? Why do the manufacturers place this highly misleading data on the back and more important how on earth do they get away with it in the EC where we thankfully have consumer protection laws. A product purchased must be of merchantable quality, perform the task is is sold to do AND respect any claims made on the product. IE a can of baked beans when opened MUST contain eadible baked beans and not peas etc.

Why do so many of you pay so much and expect so little AND allow this scam to take advantage of people like me who believe what they read and TRUST manufacturers will not mislead me in my purchase.

To date I have been unable to find ONE industry code. I see many posters here giving data, where does this data come from?. I have been in thousands of watch shops all around the globe and NEVER seen such industry data published?

I am so sorry for the long and passionate post I just feel well and truly had!!! and I dont like it, and I am trying to do something about it.

Thank you for your kind attention and best wishes to you all.

To be honest Watch Lover, I don't think consumer rights / goods descriptions come into it as it's not sold as a hard and fast rule and hardly ever going to be put to the test. Take for example, a basic £25 plastic Swatch watch. These are designated 30m water resistant yet who in their right mind would want to test such a watch to that depth? It just isn't going to happen. The only people who would be at that depth are divers who'd be wearing a robust professionally designed watch for the job and even then, I'm told most use dive computers these days instead.

You mentioned that you had a 50m rated Oris - unless it's a diver / sports model, why would you want to intentionally get it wet, especially if it's a dress watch? I'm currently yearning for Roy's new RLT30 which on the back says 5ATM. Yet if or when I get it, there's no way that's going anywhere near water! But at least I'll be confident of it being OK if I get pushed into the river whilst I'm wearing it!

Despite Oris labelling their watch as 50m, I reckon you'd probably lose a consumer claim if you damaged it whilst swimming as they have clearly printed in their manual that they don't recommend anything wetter that splashes or moisture. I dare say it'd be Ok if you swam in it a few times but I get the impression that manufacturers are just covering their own arses with their ratings and recommendations.

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

I thank you for your kind reply. I have to say you are a retailers dream. Sell you what they like and just let you get on with it? Cant you even see the point I am trying to make? I am sounding like a parrot when I write that a product sold HAS to conform within consumer law. IF a watch is sold as water resistent to 30M it MUST be water resistent to 30M. Why would you consider a consumer stupid if they went swiimming with a 30M water resistent watch? Most pools are only 1 or 2 metres deep not even close to 30M?

I have scoured the hand books that come with my watches and non of them mention that the watch cannot do what it says on the case.

Please please dont tell me next that when the back case reads "sapphire glass" its only window glass BUT this I should also know due to some 'other' watch trade code?

Look, you buy a can of baked beans, you take it home and open it. What do you get.......Baked beans not peas? This is my point. I realy cant write more here as I find it such plain English. I would appreciate any other angle on this? How could I be so wrong. I do understand English.

Best wishes to you Andrew.

I think John and Roy have answered the question perfectly. It's not as simple as doing exactly what it says on the tin. You have an Oris which is marked 50m yet in the manual they advise not to swim with it on as it isn't suitable to do so. The fact that it's covered in the manual saves Oris from any comeback on the offchance that somebody decides to swim down to a depth of 50 metres and it fails.

I wouldn't go swimming wearing a watch on that is marked 30 or even 50 meters and I don't think anyone with any common sense would either but to reiterate a statement I made earlier in this thread:

The question which inspired my original post was would a 30m designated watch survive non habitual accidental saturation such as catting caught in a torrential rainstorm or falling off the side of the bath into the water. Going off all of the replies and information given, I believe it would.

Many other purveyors of goods and services follow a similar policy of explaining the terms and conditions of the features of their product. I believe it's commonly known as small print. I'm well aware of this which is why I'm not exactly a retailer's dream. Especially with what little wealth I have!

I'm lucky if I can afford a tin of beans at the end of each month!

Kind Regards,

Andrew.

Hi,

Thank you for your mail. I am sitting here now with two new Oris watches and their manuals. In neither manual does it mention any such thing as you quote?

I have written to Oris regarding this point but of course have not even had the manners of a reply?

I am also aware that this position is not particular to Oris. I like the Oris watchs' and will continue to purchase them.

In view that so many here know about this 'industry code', that writes one thing but means another, where can I obtain an official copy? I have now asked this numerous times but no one has posted it yet?

I have said in previous forums I find this all very odd as I have NEVER had a watch leak water in 40 years of pool use. I used to dive and bought a watch specific for that purpose.

What set me on my 'high horse' was when I read a trade watch maker calling the public uneducated and stupid as they took watches marked 50M or 100M swimming (not diving) and when they got water in them the customer complained???? This remark infuriated me. As a simple consumer I buy a product and READ what is says on the product. I just expect it to do what it says as in most other purchases I make.

Best wishes to you.

 

[JoT]

What set me on my 'high horse' was when I read a trade watch maker calling the public uneducated and stupid as they took watches marked 50M or 100M swimming (not diving) and when they got water in them the customer complained???? This remark infuriated me. As a simple consumer I buy a product and READ what is says on the product. I just expect it to do what it says as in most other purchases I make.

Who said this?

 

[watch lover]

What set me on my 'high horse' was when I read a trade watch maker calling the public uneducated and stupid as they took watches marked 50M or 100M swimming (not diving) and when they got water in them the customer complained???? This remark infuriated me. As a simple consumer I buy a product and READ what is says on the product. I just expect it to do what it says as in most other purchases I make.

Who said this?

Hi,

The article is publised in the 'Oris unofficial watch club forum' known as czar. It was a full lengh report from a watch maker who had two very expensive watches to dry out etc and he was so derogitory about his customers. I have been purchasing watches for 40 years and have NEVER known about this bloomin code you all seem to quote but cannot produce? In all honesty it must be seen as very misleading to a consumer to purchase a watch that is marked as water resistent but is not. Or converely is it?

I shall continue to use my watches in the pool and while showering.

As for the chap who wrote here it is "common sense NOT to use a watch marked 30 or 50M in a pool"....I am just bereft of speach.

However, I am now being used as amusement so will stop posting here and let all get back to business.

Thank you for your civil and helpful posts. I am sorry I am not an expert in watches only a poor fool who may have been dupped regarding this topic? I guess I shall never know as its just impossible to find any authentic information.

Best wishes to you and yours