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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 vsAVywSxMwUkBohd/F5hkA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001186871-03-000005.txt : 20030508
<SEC-HEADER>0001186871-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20030508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030508163346
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001186871-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030508

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALDWELL PHILIP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186871

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14010
		FILM NUMBER:		03688385

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE STREET
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WATERS CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001000697
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				133668640
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE ST
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5084782000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE STREET
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	WCD INVESTORS INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960605
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4100005030508_161249310.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-05-06</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
<issuer><issuerCik>0001000697</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WATERS CORP /DE/</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>WAT</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
<reportingOwnerId>
<rptOwnerCik>0001186871</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CALDWELL PHILIP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>0</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-06</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
<value>2003-05-06</value>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>292.57</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2003-05-06</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>1988-08-08</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>292.57</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>292.57</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Common Stock Units are convertible into common stock shares on a one to one ratio</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Upon resignation as director</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Philip Caldwell, Director</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-05-06</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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