PFAS score
Apple · Waterproof Sports Watches
Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 40mm Aluminum Case Sport Band
Lower PFAS concern likely, but Apple's silence on water-resistance treatments leaves room for doubt.
Apple Watch SE 3 uses standard electronics and aluminum/stainless construction with minimal known PFAS hotspots. The fluoroelastomer sport band and water-resistance coating (likely water-repellent coating-treated) are the main uncertainty points, fluoroelastomers are typically fluorine-based but not necessarily PFAS-intensive.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Aluminum case, fluoroelastomer sport band, sapphire/ion-X glass, stainless steel back
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Sports Watches
Casio
Men's Black Watch
Stainless steel case, resin band
Lower concern; standard watch materials carry minimal known PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Seiko
Men's 5 Sports Automatic Stainless Steel Watch
Stainless steel case, acrylic crystal, leather/rubber strap
Lower PFAS concern, classic watch materials carry minimal risk, but Seiko makes no public PFAS commitments.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Seiko
Men's 5 Sports Automatic Watch
Stainless steel case, hardened crystal, synthetic rubber/elastomer strap
Lower PFAS concern; mechanical watch with standard materials, no known waterproofing coatings that typically contain PFAS.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More waterproof sports watches grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.