I’ve been trying to do some research on this and so far have come up with nothing so I’m wondering if anyone on here knows. If we look at the watches that were issued to or worn in the military during let’s say World War One and World War Two. What was the WR rating on those watches? I’m going to go out on a limb and assume it was most likely 3ATM or something similar. They probably didn’t use the current rating system and I’m assuming labeling watches with sayings like “Water Proof”. Which I think we all agree doesn’t mean anything. But I’m curious about this because those watches would have been worn in all manner of adverse conditions and clearly survived. Yet today we consider 3ATM to barely be able to survive a splash. Just curious……
3 - 5 atm is probably the range. More water resistant than water proof. The reason people think 3 atm can’t handle a splash is largely marketting. Ya, maybe don’t swim or shower with it on, but I wouldn’t be worried about wearing it anywhere above the waterline.