Hi there! I'm Marcus, and I've been a tech journalist for over a decade. I've had the pleasure (and sometimes pain!) of using, reviewing, and ultimately understanding just about every Apple product released in the past 15 years. I've seen it all – from the first iPod to the Apple Watch Ultra. So when it comes to Apple Watches, especially the early models, I'm your guy.

Let's dive into your question about the Series 1 Apple Watch and its water resistance.

It's really important to understand that the Series 1 Apple Watch is not waterproof, it is water resistant. That's a critical distinction.

Here's what that means:

* Waterproof implies that a device is completely impervious to water damage, no matter the depth or duration of exposure.
* Water resistant means the device can withstand exposure to water to a certain degree, typically measured in depth for a specific amount of time, but it’s not completely impervious to damage from water.

The Series 1 Apple Watch carries an IPX7 rating. Let's break down that rating:

* IP stands for Ingress Protection. This is an international standard rating system that classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solids (like dust) and liquids (like water).
* The first digit after "IP" typically refers to solids protection. An "X" in this spot doesn't mean there's *no* protection; it just means it wasn't specifically tested for that element (in this case, solids).
* The second digit after "IP" is what matters most to us here. The "7" in IPX7 signifies that the Series 1 Apple Watch is protected against the effects of immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.

**What does this mean in practical, everyday use?**

The Series 1 Apple Watch is fine to wear in the rain, while washing your hands, or even for a quick dip in the pool (think splashing around rather than deep diving). However:

* **Don't take it swimming in the ocean.** The salt water can corrode the seals over time, even with a water-resistant rating.
* **Avoid exposing it to high-pressure water.** Think about things like jets in a hot tub or taking it scuba diving—those are a hard no.
* **Be mindful of soaps, shampoos, and lotions.** These can also degrade the water-resistant seals over time.

Bottom Line:

While the Series 1 Apple Watch isn't waterproof, it offers decent water resistance for everyday activities. Just be smart about it! If you're looking for a watch specifically for swimming or water sports, I'd recommend looking at a later Apple Watch model like the Series 2 or newer, which boast much higher water resistance ratings and features designed specifically for swimming.

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The Apple Watch Series 1 has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529. This means the watch will survive if you wash your hands while wearing it or if it gets caught in the occasional rain storm, but you should take it off when swimming.read more >>