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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |  | 6 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 26 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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Jun. 28, 2014 | Jun. 29, 2013 | Jun. 28, 2014 | Jun. 29, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Jun. 28, 2014 Programs authorized by Board of Directors [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 Related To Vesting Of Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Jun. 29, 2013 Related To Vesting Of Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 May 2014 Program [Member] | May 31, 2014 May 2012 Program [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 May 2012 Program [Member] | Jun. 29, 2013 May 2012 Program [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 May 2012 Program [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 Unsecured debt [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Unsecured debt [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member] | Jun. 28, 2014 US Treasury Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 US Treasury Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Foreign Government Debt Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Foreign Government Debt Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Corporate Debt Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Corporate Debt Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Time Deposits | Dec. 31, 2013 Time Deposits | Jun. 28, 2014 Equity Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Equity Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) US Treasury Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) US Treasury Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Foreign Government Debt Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Foreign Government Debt Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Corporate Debt Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Corporate Debt Securities | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Time Deposits | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Time Deposits | Jun. 28, 2014 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Equity Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Equity Securities
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of foreign exchange contracts | $ 107,000,000 |  | $ 107,000,000 |  | $ 104,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative net pre-tax gains (losses) on foreign exchange contracts | 138,000 | 3,207,000 | (1,057,000) | 3,331,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains (losses) on foreign exchange contracts | 214,000 | 3,335,000 | (100,000) | 4,029,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized (losses) gains on foreign exchange contracts | (76,000) | (128,000) | (957,000) | (698,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value | 1,537,839,000 |  | 1,537,839,000 |  | 1,399,840,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 547,668,000 | 556,539,000 | 49,991,000 | 139,670,000 | 872,666,000 | 629,434,000 | 67,367,000 | 74,050,000 | 147,000 | 147,000 |  |  | 547,668,000 | 556,539,000 | 49,991,000 | 139,670,000 | 872,666,000 | 629,434,000 | 67,367,000 | 74,050,000 | 147,000 | 147,000
Other cash equivalents | 55,000,000 |  | 55,000,000 |  | 62,851,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 55,000,000 | 62,851,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets | 32,830,000 |  | 32,830,000 |  | 31,203,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 32,830,000 | 31,203,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Forward foreign exchange contract assets | 64,000 |  | 64,000 |  | 929,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64,000 | 929,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis | 1,625,733,000 |  | 1,625,733,000 |  | 1,494,823,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,625,733,000 | 1,494,823,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities | 180,000 |  | 180,000 |  | 88,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 180,000 | 88,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis | 180,000 |  | 180,000 |  | 88,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 180,000 | 88,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Impairment | 4,000,000 |  | 4,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of building held-for-sale | 5,000,000 |  | 5,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents description |  |  | Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash, cash equivalents and investments | 1,918,000,000 |  | 1,918,000,000 |  | 1,804,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,876,000,000 | 1,738,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt | 1,160,000,000 |  | 1,160,000,000 |  | 1,190,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 400,000,000 | 400,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 406,000,000 | 398,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock repurchase program authorization amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 750,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Treasury stock shares acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.7 | 1.8 | 6.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Treasury stock |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,000,000 | 6,000,000 |  |  | 178,000,000 | 165,000,000 | 580,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock repurchase program remaining amount authorized for future purchases |  |  |  |  |  | 920,000,000 |  |  |  | 221,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock repurchase program period, in years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued warranty liability, balance at beginning of period |  |  | 12,962,000 | 12,353,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accruals for warranties |  |  | 3,230,000 | 3,710,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Settlements made |  |  | (3,717,000) | (3,955,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued warranty liability, balance at end of period | $ 12,475,000 | $ 12,108,000 | $ 12,475,000 | $ 12,108,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition An element designated to encapsulate any additional information related to cash and cash equivalents not otherwise addressed by the existing taxonomy. Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of assets classified as held for sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19190-110258 + Details
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- Definition Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid Investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Short-term investments, exclusive of cash equivalents, generally consist of marketable securities intended to be sold within one year (or the normal operating cycle if longer) and may include trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities (if maturing within one year), as applicable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13476-108611 + Details
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- Definition Fair value as of the balance sheet date of foreign currency derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets on the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
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- Definition Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative liabilities, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as liabilities on the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate impact of foreign currency derivatives on earnings for the period. Includes impact of foreign currency cash flow hedge ineffectiveness and the ineffectiveness of fair value hedging derivatives and full change in fair value of the foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959 + Details
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- Definition Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Other (not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy) short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 + Details
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- Definition Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate standard product warranty liability. Does not include the balance for the extended product warranty liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (c)(1),(c)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249 + Details
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- Definition Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) to satisfy claims under the terms of the standard product warranty. Does not include any Increase or Decrease in the liability for payments related to extended product warranties. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph ((c)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249 + Details
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- Definition Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 + Details
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