Posted on abril 08 2025
The number on the back of a watch is one of the most misread specs there is. A watch rated to 50 metres is not meant to go 50 metres underwater. The rating comes from a pressure test in a lab, and real life adds movement, temperature changes and soap.
Citizen publishes a plain chart of what each rating allows. It’s the one we follow.
The ratings, in practice
- 30m (3 bar): splashes and rain. Wash your hands with it on, but take it off to swim.
- 50m (5 bar): fine for swimming, not for snorkelling or skin diving.
- 100m and 200m (10 and 20 bar): fine for swimming and snorkelling, not for scuba diving.
- Diver’s 200m: made for scuba diving with an air tank. These watches are built and tested to a diving standard, and the dial says so.
Every watch at Ducci lists its water resistance with the specs.
Keeping it water resistant
Water resistance isn’t permanent. It depends on small rubber gaskets that age, so a few habits go a long way:
- Never pull the crown or press the buttons while the watch is wet or underwater.
- If the crown screws down, screw it all the way in before the watch gets wet.
- Rinse the watch in fresh water after the sea or a chlorinated pool, then let it dry.
- Keep it away from hot water, saunas and steam rooms. Heat is hard on the gaskets.
- Have the seals checked whenever the case is opened, for a battery change or a service.
A watch that fogs up inside has let moisture in. Take it off and have it looked at before it does any damage.