Overview
ISO 22810:2010 - Horology - Water-resistant watches defines internationally accepted requirements and test methods to verify the water resistance of wristwatches (the watch or watch head). It clarifies key terms, prescribes specific immersion and overpressure tests, specifies a condensation test to detect ingress, and sets the marking a manufacturer is authorized to apply. Divers' watches are excluded and covered by ISO 6425.
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Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope & definitions
- Defines water resistance, water-resistant watch, overpressure and depth of immersion.
- Condensation test (4.2) - mandatory check before and after other tests:
- Heat the watch glass to 40–45 °C, apply a 18–25 °C water drop or wet cloth, wait ~1 minute and wipe dry.
- Any condensation on the internal glass surface indicates failure (condensation disappearing within 1 minute is not considered a defect).
- Immersion tests (4.3)
- Overpressure test (4.3.2): immerse and raise pressure to a minimum of 2 bar within 1 minute, hold 10 minutes, then return to ambient in 1 minute. Manufacturers may specify higher overpressure and mark the watch accordingly.
- Shallow-depth test (4.3.3): immerse to 10 cm ± 2 cm for ≥1 hour.
- Operational strain test (4.3.4): immerse to 10 cm ± 2 cm for 5 minutes while applying 5 N force to crown/pushers.
- Thermal shock test (4.3.5): successive immersions at 40 °C → 20 °C → 40 °C, 5 minutes each, transfer ≤1 minute.
- Air overpressure preliminary test (4.4)
- Optional non-destructive test at 2 bar and 0.5 bar measuring leakage flow. Watches with air flow > 50 µg/min are advised not to proceed to immersion testing.
- Marking (Clause 5)
- Allowed markings include localized terms (e.g., water-resistant, 防水, étanche, wasserdicht) and may include “x bar” or equivalent metres when a higher overpressure is certified.
Applications and Who Uses It
- Watch manufacturers - design validation, production quality assurance, product labelling and claims.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - conduct standardized immersion, condensation and air overpressure tests.
- After‑sales/repair centres - assess water resistance after servicing, shocks or battery changes.
- Retailers and compliance teams - verify advertised water resistance and correct marking.
- Consumers and watch enthusiasts - understand marking, limitations and recommended precautions (Annex A: avoid operating crowns underwater, rinse after seawater, check after shocks).
Related Standards
- ISO 6425 - specific requirements for divers' watches (used in conjunction when applicable).
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