Watch Series 2 Waterproof Case with Band vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?

TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is the clear pick. Apple Watch Series 2 Waterproof Case with Band carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Apple Watch Series 2 Waterproof Case with Band

Apple

Watch Series 2 Waterproof Case with Band

PFAS grade

Poor 40/100

Overall grade

Bad 22/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Aluminum, stainless steel, fluoroelastomer seals with unspecified waterproof treatment

Confidence

35%

PossibleUndisclosed waterproof treatment chemistry

PossibleFluoroelastomer seal degradation

ReportedWater contamination if seals fail

Our pick

TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men

TomTom

Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Excellent 77/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

On watch case and band

Confidence

35%

PossiblePolymer case and band degradation

PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Undisclosed waterproof treatment chemistry, Fluoroelastomer seal degradation and Water contamination if seals fail on the Apple and not on the TomTom.
  • We flag Polymer case and band degradation and Bacterial or mold growth in seals and band on the TomTom and not on the Apple.
  • The Apple is Aluminum, stainless steel, fluoroelastomer seals with unspecified waterproof treatment where the TomTom is On watch case and band, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the TomTom is the one to buy.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

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