Catalyst's Apple Watch case touts waterproof design, full access to screen and heart rate sensor
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.
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.
Comments
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.
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!
Isn't it waterproof already?
No, it’s not waterproof. Next question.
Wouldn't mind having a waterproof case for my iPod shuffle...
Ever see anybody walking around with a case around their Rolex, TAG Heuer, or other high end watch? I thought not. In my personal opinion it’s completely nuts to cover up the ?Watch with some ugly, basically useless rubber case with colored buttons. I didn’t buy the ?Watch Standard with Milanese band just to turn around and make it look like some cheap plastic crap watch you can buy at Walmart. By the way I saw a $10,500.00 Chanel watch in the display case at a Costco the other day. And people say the ?Watch is pricey. Go figure. Anybody make a rubber case for that beauty?
Wouldn't mind having a waterproof case for my iPod shuffle...
There's a company which will waterproof the Shuffle its;f so no need for a case. They've been very successful with it.
Dammit man, pull yourself together!
I think the Rolex would argue against this statement since they had one of their watches go to a depth of 35,756 ft. But I know what you mean. Nothing is "bullet-proof" or "water-proof", just bullet resistant and water resistant.
No, it’s not waterproof. Next question.
Well, who knows really, what degree of resistance to water it has. Seems Apple were very conservative in rating the watch.
Nothing with exposed speakers off course could be waterproof!
A LOT of people swim with it... Ahem... Though I'm sure they're not telling Apple about it.
The official rating is IPX7 I believe, but from actual use it seems to be way better than that.
Garmin watches from the early 2000s which were rated IPX7 could not endure as much water abuse (though they could endure more than their rating implied).
IPX7 just means it was tested to meet this (and the warantee covers this use), doesn't say if they are conservative, or not rating/testing it higher to not invite deep sea divers to use the watch at 100M and then whining it broke...
Ever see anybody walking around with a case around their Rolex, TAG Heuer, or other high end watch?
I noticed a few days ago under light that I had rubbed the corner of the screen on an abrasive surface. One millimeter over and it would be visible under light. I work around tables that are made of very heavy steel. One tap of an edge on the Apple Watch screen and it's done for.
No comparison with luxury watches: The crystal on a Rolex and TAG is normally replaced if it's scratched and you send it in for normal service. The screen on a Rolex isn't high resolution, nor does it emit tiny pixels of colored light that diffracts under scratches.
A stainless or gold body is buffed at the same time to restore the finish. You can't restore the anodized aluminum on the cheap Apple Watches. You have to etch the whole finish away and reanodize it. There's already two corners on mine where the dark finish has chipped.
I won't be buying this. Just so you know.
Not quite as silly as the dual watch watch thingy, which is hands down one the stupidest fucking products I have ever seen in my life...
my ipod touch (can't remember which version) went thru a full cycle of laundry and came out unscathed and working fine.. too bad it got lost during one of the family holidays..
I saw that watch yesterday at the Museum of Transport in Lucerne. It looks like a tank with a strap.
Isn't it waterproof already?
Yeah, but it's a classic troll meme. They're not supposed to make sense or be factual, just be catchy and viral by Apple haters.
Another defensive post by the "but but but Rolex" crowd in a thread about Apple Watch.