Is your watch waterproof? Don't find out the hard way. Paying attention to the labeling can keep you from ruining your prize.
Several components contribute to a watch's water resistance:
* A rubber, nylon, or Teflon gasket forms a tight seal around the edges of the case and keeps water out.
* The case itself is thick to withstand pressure without caving in. The back screws in to eliminate gaps.
A watch labeled with a "water resistance rating" is not suitable for diving; look for a diver's watch for that, and if you're interested in saturation diving with helium, you'll want a watch that says "helium safe." "Waterproof" is by law no longer used on watches sold in the U.S.