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Appledreamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 16, 2011
90
0
Belfast
I guys, i was wondering does anyone know if the Apple Watch is going to be water proof or Resistant as i think this will be a buy or not buy issue for some, i would certainly expect it to be waterproof to a certain standard, if it wasn't it would stop me from buying it until the second gen came out that maybe was, i would like to wear this at the gym, in the shower, outside in rain, etc etc
 

jabingla2810

macrumors 68020
Oct 15, 2008
2,271
938
I guys, i was wondering does anyone know if the Apple Watch is going to be water proof or Resistant as i think this will be a buy or not buy issue for some, i would certainly expect it to be waterproof to a certain standard, if it wasn't it would stop me from buying it until the second gen came out that maybe was, i would like to wear this at the gym, in the shower, outside in rain, etc etc

It's splash proof.

OK for rain, washing hands and face, brushing teeth etc.

Not a lot more i'm afraid.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
How will Apple know?

Answer me that?

How will Apple know if you have been in the shower, or running / cycling and got caught in a thunder storm / downpour.

Answer = They won't.

Either it's water resistant or it's not.
There is no such thing as fine in a thunderstorm when running, but not fine when taking a shower.
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
How will Apple know?

Answer me that?

How will Apple know if you have been in the shower, or running / cycling and got caught in a thunder storm / downpour.

Answer = They won't.

Either it's water resistant or it's not.
There is no such thing as fine in a thunderstorm when running, but not fine when taking a shower.

No one seems to be suggesting that it would be fine in a storm but not in a shower.

What's likely is that it will, as another user suggested, be OK during rain, showers, washing hands, but would not be OK for swimming.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
No one seems to be suggesting that it would be fine in a storm but not in a shower.

What's likely is that it will, as another user suggested, be OK during rain, showers, washing hands, but would not be OK for swimming.

Even for swimming, how will Apple know?

How do they test for the difference between swimming pool water, vs, shower water, vs rain water, vs washbasin water?
 

JoEw

macrumors 68000
Nov 29, 2009
1,585
1,291
Even for swimming, how will Apple know?

How do they test for the difference between swimming pool water, vs, shower water, vs rain water, vs washbasin water?

There are classes of water resistance.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
There are classes of water resistance.

Indeed yes.

Do you think, knowing Apple, they will show and explain their IP standard water resistance level.

Or, knowing Apple, they won't wish to agree to anything anyone else has done, any standard, and just come up with their own rules?
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
Even for swimming, how will Apple know?

How do they test for the difference between swimming pool water, vs, shower water, vs rain water, vs washbasin water?

hold on, we're comparing two separate things. There is "how water is the Apple watch" and "Will Apple cover replacement for water damage? and if so, under what circumstances"

I'm guessing that if Apple can deduce that damage was due to water, they won't replace it. Even if you could somehow PROVE that the damage wasn't from swimming but just from washing your hands.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Well, that's my point.

At what point does Apple admit, the watch let water in, whilst you stand there are swear you were running and a thunderstorm started.

Or does Apple say no, water got in, you are not covered as water got in and call you a liar.

Or are you lying, and you did go swimming, but are telling them you got stuck in a thunderstorm

What about sports?

Cannoning? Water Ski?
How much water can a sports water resistant watch be exposed to before Apple won't replace it?

The only way I can see this working is if the watch "is" 100% waterproof down to a certain pressure.

Once past that pressure point, let's say 1m underwater, THEN, and only THEN can water get in.
So if there is water damage Apple knows 100% it was in water under more pressure than that.

Apple, though will not disclose this, as they don't want to say it's water proof as then people will swim, and shower with it on. so they are deliberately under playing how water proof it is.
 

JayLenochiniMac

macrumors G5
Nov 7, 2007
12,819
2,390
New Sanfrakota
Well, that's my point.

At what point does Apple admit, the watch let water in, whilst you stand there are swear you were running and a thunderstorm started.

Or does Apple say no, water got in, you are not covered as water got in and call you a liar.

Or are you lying, and you did go swimming, but are telling them you got stuck in a thunderstorm

What about sports?

Cannoning? Water Ski?
How much water can a sports water resistant watch be exposed to before Apple won't replace it?

Not really any different from inducing a scratch on "scratch resistant" glass and refusing to replace because of the said scratch.
 

bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2010
3,553
3,007
Buffalo, NY
Well, that's my point.

At what point does Apple admit, the watch let water in, whilst you stand there are swear you were running and a thunderstorm started.

Or does Apple say no, water got in, you are not covered as water got in and call you a liar.

Or are you lying, and you did go swimming, but are telling them you got stuck in a thunderstorm

What about sports?

Cannoning? Water Ski?
How much water can a sports water resistant watch be exposed to before Apple won't replace it?

The only way I can see this working is if the watch "is" 100% waterproof down to a certain pressure.

Once past that pressure point, let's say 1m underwater, THEN, and only THEN can water get in.
So if there is water damage Apple knows 100% it was in water under more pressure than that.

Apple, though will not disclose this, as they don't want to say it's water proof as then people will swim, and shower with it on. so they are deliberately under playing how water proof it is.

And where does it begin where a consumer takes responsibility over care of his/her stuff? If it says 'water resistant' - well, TRY not to get it wet. If you're in a monsoon, try to cover the watch up or use your other hand. TRY not to get your stuff ruined. Know that Apple added SOME protection, but not full protection.

It's AMAZING that people don't think about their own responsibilities in this day and age. Instead of being careful and taking the watch off before, say, running down a slip-n-slide, like most people would.... others would use it, the watch would break, they would spend hours and hours belly-aching, going to the Apple store, complaining about it to message boards, etc. and even complain if Apple fixed it for free because 'it shouldn't have broke'. Geez, people. Try to baby your stuff once in a while and make your life easier.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
And where does it begin where a consumer takes responsibility over care of his/her stuff? If it says 'water resistant' - well, TRY not to get it wet. If you're in a monsoon, try to cover the watch up or use your other hand. TRY not to get your stuff ruined. Know that Apple added SOME protection, but not full protection.

It's AMAZING that people don't think about their own responsibilities in this day and age. Instead of being careful and taking the watch off before, say, running down a slip-n-slide, like most people would.... others would use it, the watch would break, they would spend hours and hours belly-aching, going to the Apple store, complaining about it to message boards, etc. and even complain if Apple fixed it for free because 'it shouldn't have broke'. Geez, people. Try to baby your stuff once in a while and make your life easier.

Let me tell you a little story and ask your opinion.

Apple is going to sell a sports watch that they say is suitable for outdoor sports and activates and fitness tracking.

So, I buy their sports watch based upon this advertising.

True Story: A few months ago, after I finished work for the day, dressed only in a white T-Shirt, Jeans and training shoes, I set out for a 6 mile cycle, part of keeping fit.
About 1/2 way out it started spitting with rain, but the sky did not look too bad, and I thought i'd be fine, so I carried on, by the time I got to my half way mark to turn around and come home, the sky had opened up and I was soaked thru to my skin, like standing in a strong cold shower. I could not even look forward the rain was coming down so hard.
The was in open countryside roads, no cover, no shelter, I just had to look down, focus, and carry on.
Every part of me, even inside my shoes was soaked thru, any watch I would of been wearing would of been constantly soaked in water for a long time whilst I struggled all the way to get home.

So, if the "sports watch" suitable for outside sports, then stopped working.
Should it be replaced, or is that $349 down the trash as I got caught in the rain?
 

JoEw

macrumors 68000
Nov 29, 2009
1,585
1,291
Well, that's my point.

At what point does Apple admit, the watch let water in, whilst you stand there are swear you were running and a thunderstorm started.

Or does Apple say no, water got in, you are not covered as water got in and call you a liar.

Or are you lying, and you did go swimming, but are telling them you got stuck in a thunderstorm

What about sports?

Cannoning? Water Ski?
How much water can a sports water resistant watch be exposed to before Apple won't replace it?

The only way I can see this working is if the watch "is" 100% waterproof down to a certain pressure.

Once past that pressure point, let's say 1m underwater, THEN, and only THEN can water get in.
So if there is water damage Apple knows 100% it was in water under more pressure than that.

Apple, though will not disclose this, as they don't want to say it's water proof as then people will swim, and shower with it on. so they are deliberately under playing how water proof it is.

I am sure the lawyers will have all this spelled out in a 1 year warrenty fine print.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple has a water sensor near the surface of the S1 that will trigger when flushed in certain concentration of water.

I wouldn't play water sports with it, swim or shower.

Other than that, probably fine.

I guess a better answer to your question, there is to much uncertainty at this point.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
I am sure the lawyers will have all this spelled out in a 1 year warrenty fine print.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple has a water sensor near the surface of the S1 that will trigger when flushed in certain concentration of water.

I wouldn't play water sports with it, swim or shower.

Other than that, probably fine.

I guess a better answer to your question, there is to much uncertainty at this point.

You may be correct, but I'd think it would have to be pressure not concentration as you could have a drop that hangs on the watch for some time with no real pressure.
 

cmChimera

macrumors 601
Feb 12, 2010
4,308
3,844
And where does it begin where a consumer takes responsibility over care of his/her stuff? If it says 'water resistant' - well, TRY not to get it wet. If you're in a monsoon, try to cover the watch up or use your other hand. TRY not to get your stuff ruined. Know that Apple added SOME protection, but not full protection.

It's AMAZING that people don't think about their own responsibilities in this day and age. Instead of being careful and taking the watch off before, say, running down a slip-n-slide, like most people would.... others would use it, the watch would break, they would spend hours and hours belly-aching, going to the Apple store, complaining about it to message boards, etc. and even complain if Apple fixed it for free because 'it shouldn't have broke'. Geez, people. Try to baby your stuff once in a while and make your life easier.

Well if it says water resistant, but then dies when I wash my hands with it, I don't believe I'm the one at fault. I don't think it's that unusual to want to know what kind of activities require someone to take the watch off.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Well if it says water resistant, but then dies when I wash my hands with it, I don't believe I'm the one at fault. I don't think it's that unusual to want to know what kind of activities require someone to take the watch off.

The problem is, Out Door Sports and Rain is vastly too vague.

It could mean playing tennis, and it starts to drizzle, so you play on for a few moments before coming indoors, or you are out for a 20 mile run/cycle and half of that ends up being in heavy rain you have to just carry on thru.

Sports and Rain is way way too vague a term.
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
The problem is, Out Door Sports and Rain is vastly too vague.

It could mean playing tennis, and it starts to drizzle, so you play on for a few moments before coming indoors, or you are out for a 20 mile run/cycle and half of that ends up being in heavy rain you have to just carry on thru.

Sports and Rain is way way too vague a term.

They will specify just as other watchmakers do what level of 'water-resistance' the device has.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
They will specify just as other watchmakers do what level of 'water-resistance' the device has.

I hope you are right.

I have a sneaky feeling, and I hope I'm wrong that Apple will say nothing, be difficult, not fall into line with any standard, and just make up their own rules which will always remain vague and totally dependent on what type of day the guy working in the Apple store is having.
 

bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2010
3,553
3,007
Buffalo, NY
I hope you are right.

I have a sneaky feeling, and I hope I'm wrong that Apple will say nothing, be difficult, not fall into line with any standard, and just make up their own rules which will always remain vague and totally dependent on what type of day the guy working in the Apple store is having.

Apple will not be difficult - they never are. This is why they sell more than other brands, because people trust them.

The term 'Water Resistant' has been used for decades. It means that if you get caught in a pouring rain, and you're soaked, the watch will probably not work, and that IS your fault, and Apple should NOT replace it.

I've lost a few watches before because of jumping into a pool and forgetting, or being in a pouring rain. It's something you need to remember. And in neither case did I think the manufacturer was wrong.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Apple will not be difficult - they never are. This is why they sell more than other brands, because people trust them.

The term 'Water Resistant' has been used for decades. It means that if you get caught in a pouring rain, and you're soaked, the watch will probably not work, and that IS your fault, and Apple should NOT replace it.

I've lost a few watches before because of jumping into a pool and forgetting, or being in a pouring rain. It's something you need to remember. And in neither case did I think the manufacturer was wrong.

So, Apple cannot class the sports watch as a sports watch then if your rules are valid.
If you are wearing their sports watch, say running, cycling and get caught out in the pouring rain you are saying it's your fault and Apple should not replace the sports watch?

Have I got that right?

If so, I hope Apple makes this crystal clear that you need to take a waterproof container/bag with you to place the watch in, should it start to rain whilst out wearing the watch.
 

troop231

macrumors 603
Jan 20, 2010
5,826
560
I think it'll be ridiculous if you can't swim with it in a normal sized pool (12 - 14 ft. deep), and if you can't shower with it.

It's trivial to have decent o-rings in the watch to swim to this depth, but maybe it's due solely to the digital crown and mic/speaker that would prevent it from having useful water resistivity.
 

Mascots

macrumors 68000
Sep 5, 2009
1,667
1,418
So, Apple cannot class the sports watch as a sports watch then if your rules are valid.
If you are wearing their sports watch, say running, cycling and get caught out in the pouring rain you are saying it's your fault and Apple should not replace the sports watch?

Have I got that right?

If so, I hope Apple makes this crystal clear that you need to take a waterproof container/bag with you to place the watch in, should it start to rain whilst out wearing the watch.

I think because you're focusing so intensely on this issue, you're blowing it out of proportion. It is a finely crafted, well R&Ded, and high quality device. It will resist a good amount of wear and tear.

If it fails, take it in, tell your story, get options from one of the best customer service supports in tech. If you're worried that you are someone who will be putting it through more than average hustle and bustle, you'll know you will need to get AppleCare.
 
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