Men's Gen 6 44mm Stainless Steel and Cork Touchscreen Smart Watch, Stainless steel, Camo (Model, FT vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?
TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is the clear pick. Fossil Men's Gen 6 44mm Stainless Steel and Cork Touchscreen Smart Watch, Stainless steel, Camo (Model, FT carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Fossil
Men's Gen 6 44mm Stainless Steel and Cork Touchscreen Smart Watch, Stainless steel, Camo (Model, FT
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleWaterproofing and water-resistant coating composition
PossibleTouchscreen coating (identity unknown)
PossibleCork material degradation and microbial growth
Our pick
TomTom
Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolymer case and band degradation
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Waterproofing and water-resistant coating composition, Touchscreen coating (identity unknown) and Cork material degradation and microbial growth on the Fossil 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 Fossil.
- The Fossil is Stainless steel case, cork accents, unspecified touchscreen coating and water-resistant 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 →
More waterproof fitness trackers & cases: see the full ranking