Are all watch collectors really going that deep

From what I've read, one also has to account for the shock of water pressure as well. Like climbing into a pool might be okay for one watch, as opposed to doing a cannonball with the same watch.

But recently I realized I don't actually need 200m wr, this has opened my circle up for future potential watches, with the bonus of keeping more in line with my budget.

As someone who has been swimming only once in the last 20 years, 30m is usually plenty for me. 50m is more than enough. But, I am a fan of dive watches.

The internet has convinced people that they can't wear 30m WR watches in the rain... 

I think the root of the issue is people love comparing specs, so the more WR is "better" mentality has taken hold. 

As someone who complains about WR all the time....it's mostly that WR testing doesn't really reflect actual depths.  There are variances (sometimes it can go deeper, sometimes it can't) so you are generally better off with more rather than less.  As others have noted, the shock of entering a differential pressure environment also lowers effective water resistance.  

Having busted a 30M WR watch before by diving into a pool, it's one of those things you don't ever really stop getting annoyed by.

That said, a 100M WR with a screw down crown is probably all anyone really needs.  1000M WR is silly unless you're a pressure suit diver.  I agree, it's mostly bragging rights after a certain point

According to everything I have read on WR, the 30M really only means the watch should survive splashes and rain, but it is not a strong enough seal for even a shower on a regular basis, except for new(er) watches. The seals do degrade over time, lessening the actual water resistance. Further, when the testing is done for WR, it is done in a static environment. I am not a fanatic about WR, and do have watches with 30M WR that I wear in inclement weather. However, even the various brands seem to agree that 30M really only means splash-proof and not suitable for swimming. There is variation on the minimum recommendations for swimming among brands, but that is between 50M and 100M. I tend to follow whatever is in the user's manual for the most part. Casio is one brand that has always exceeded their recommended WR activities in my experience. On the other end, Timex is a brand I am cautious with, owing to personal experience with getting caught in the rain creating condensation/beads of water under the crystal.

The industry probably should change the WR standards to better reflect actual usage. The 30m rating is very misleading, as most people would interpret that as being able to go scuba diving down to 100 feet below the ocean. 

You aren't the only one. I think we have sort of condensed everything down so much that it's too confusing. 

Watch repair channels say all vintage watches WR shouldn't be trusted and to pretty much avoid water as much as possible. People say 30WR is good for splash resistance. I think it's all mostly CYA and protecting their 'investments'. 

Oh wow!  Timex?  But they take a licking and keep on ticking.  lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHq3Yze6s0&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSv6Z5BA6e8

I wish I could pull up that episode of "Get a Life" where Chris Elliot wants a dive watch because he thinks it would be cool to wear in the shower. I wrecked a "water resisitanct" watch swimming in my teens and learned the lesson. No problems since then (less that one cheapo Chinese automatic that got mystery condensation out of nowhere.

I could make the joke about people that get pushed into pools or are assaulted with buckets of water, but I'd rather talk about things being dishwasher safe. What rating is needed so that I can just throw a watch in the dishwasher or laundry and have it come out clean and intact?

That may have been true at one point, but I have had two Weekenders develop condensation under the crystals after being splashed. 😕

Good to know.  I will be much more careful with my Weekender (peanuts collection) now.  I do wear my Q's in the pool all the time and so far so good.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  My Marlins don't because they are all on leather straps.  

Water resistance is much more than gaskets and seals.  Higher ratings also require thicker case backs and crystals to withstand the pressure.  In a way, it’s an analog for durable construction and materials.  Extra cost and engineering had to go into the design and production to create a tougher watch.

Even expensive watches rated to 30m like a Panerai Due exhibit cheaper construction like snap on case backs.  Even an APRO rated at 50m tends to be a fragile thing.

That’s my take on this subject.