What was the "world's first waterproof watch?

i dont know about the waltham, but i remember from one of the time teller youtube channel he mention this omega marine is the first waterproof watch

@ChronoGuy  explored this question here. I think that the research that he links to dispels the Rolex story. The Waltham seems to be the best bet. Like everything regarding historical watches, we seem to forget immediately what just happened thereby allowing many possible "firsts".

There is still no such thing as a "Waterproof" watch -- which is the reason that they're not allowed to be marketed as such.

First waterproof Wrist(!)watch should be this one.

Made by Tavannes, Sold by Brook & Son
Here's the AD from 1916.

Rolex invented water, so they could invent the first waterproof watch. 

The term waterproof back then just meant a watch with some water resistance rather than none

I've gone round & round with Stan on this. It was never accepted by a military, but I don't think that matters. I happen to have the only example made in 1915 so I feel strongly about it.

Indeed, 

At the time, British officers were expected to purchase much of their equipment themselves. From the available evidence, two submarine commanders approached Brook & Son with a list of criteria that would make the watches suitable for use while at sea, there was a testimonial printed in an Edinburgh newspaper from 1916 presumable from one of these officers  ‘The Submarine’ wristwatch purchased six months ago has been a great success”) So it was certainly waterproof to the standards of the day (and unlike the Waltham and Oyster) you could wind and set the watch without massively compromising its water resistance.

Never even seen a 1915 example before, thank you for posting 👍

My (ever so slightly radioactive) one says hello 😉

As a side note the there was a "waterproof" pocket watch shown at the 1851 Great Exhibition suspended in a fish bowl (something else Rolex have done) by the company of W. Pettit & Co. Unfortunately I've never seen an example, so we have no way of knowing if it was practical. 

Nice 2nd pattern dial! If yours is previously unknown, I think that makes the total out there 8. I wish I could find an auction sale because I have no idea what these are worth. My father bought my example about 20 years ago in England. He had no idea of it significance when he bought, he just thought it was cool looking. He gave me most of his collection, since he only wears his Bretling.

I had previously handled 2 of them (got pictures somewhere), but this was the first one I was able to buy.

Despite their historical significance (also being antimagnetic decades before Tissot claimed to be the first) they are not well known in the wider watch community which is a shame.

However that means when the do come up they can be a bargain for those of us who are looking for one. (mine cost less than my Borgel at auction last year) Certainly think they are under valued 😉

The second was the Aquatic in 1916.

As can be seen the watches were tested for months, then each watch was immersed for 2 weeks prior to sale, and not just for 1 day like the Depollier. 

It's actually the first commercial dive watch, not the first waterproof watch.

I can't believe 4 people voted for the '1922 Rolex submarine'! 😆

I forgot to add that Rolex bought the patent for their watch from Gruen, who had released the same hermetic watch in 1918.