AppleInsider Staff
Accessories firm Catalyst on Wednesday announced preorder availability of a new waterproof case for Apple Watch, which boasts full access to touchscreen and physical controls, heart rate monitor and inductive charging dock.
Catalyst says its new waterproof Apple Watch case is a world's first and is designed to meet or exceed IP68 standards, meaning it is both dust tight and can withstand immersion in liquid beyond 3 meters.
The case also meets MIL SPEC standards for drop protection, adding another layer of security for users with active lifestyles. From the looks of it, Catalyst's case features a raised bezel area that helps prevent scratches on Watch's screen when dropped on a flat surface.
Importantly, the added water and drop protection does not come at the cost of device access. Users can operate the touchscreen display normally, while pushers and a special rotating crown offer access to Watch's physical controls. There are also ports for speaker output and microphone input, key features that enable voice calls, alerts, haptics and more.
It appears, however, that Catalyst's case must be used with the provided nylon NATO quick-release style wrist strap, as Watch's magnetic band slots are inaccessible.
Catalyst's waterproof Apple Watch case is limited to 42mm Watch versions and can be preordered for $59.99 in three color combinations: all-black, white housing with green controls or grey housing with red controls. The company expects to start shipping in November.
In addition to Apple Watch, Catalyst also announced a waterproof case for iPad Air, a MultiSport Mount for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and a belt clip add-on for its iPhone case lineup.
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29 Comments
Isn't it waterproof already?
IMO, probably. But only listed as water resistant.
I recently fell into a lake with it on while paddle boarding, and it's still ticking. If I needed it more waterproof then that, then I would take it off, but it was an accident when it happened.
[quote name="tkrunner1738" url="/t/187694/catalysts-apple-watch-case-touts-waterproof-design-full-access-to-screen-and-heart-rate-sensor#post_2760227"]I recently fell into a lake with it on while paddle boarding, and it's still ticking. If I needed it more waterproof then that, then I would take it off, but it was an accident when it happened. [/quote] That's funny, 'cause I recently fell into an industrial meat grinder at work. The watch is in pieces, and I'm pretty cut up about it too to be honest.
Isn't it waterproof already?
Nope. No reputable watch is "waterproof", only levels of water resistant.
While a number or experiments and anecdotal reports have shown the watch to be quite water resistant, including surfing ocean waves, no one actually knows the extent the watch is water resistant, since Apple chose to release with an IPX7 rating which is actually quite limited when it comes to water resistance.
And to the extent the ?Watch has more significant water resistance protection than it's rating, it's unclear how reliable that resistance will be over time. As with all watches, and devices, water resistance typically requires maintenance to maintain 100% effectiveness. Apple has not published anything that would indicate such maintenance will be offered.
So I'm thrilled to see this case, and will be getting one to go with my ?Watch so that I can wear it surfing. Now I just need a good compatible door lock for my house, and something for my car, and I'll be set!