XML 26 R73.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 27, 2014 | Jun. 28, 2014 | Mar. 29, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 28, 2013 | Jun. 29, 2013 | Mar. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of operating segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments |  |
Number of reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments |  |
Product sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,346,729 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 1,312,503 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 1,280,507 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Service sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 642,615 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet | 591,715 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet | 563,134 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet
Total net sales | 583,870 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 493,165 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 481,801 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 430,508 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 565,448 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 457,317 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 451,115 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 430,338 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 1,989,344 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 1,904,218 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | 1,843,641 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Maximum percentage of net sales to an individual customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.00%wat_MaximumPercentageOfNetSalesToIndividualCustomer | 2.00%wat_MaximumPercentageOfNetSalesToIndividualCustomer | 2.00%wat_MaximumPercentageOfNetSalesToIndividualCustomer
Long-lived assets | 321,583 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet |  |  |  | 324,932 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet |  |  |  | 321,583 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet | 324,932 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet |
United States [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 596,549 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember | 557,734 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember | 531,912 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember
Long-lived assets | 181,851 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember |  |  |  | 174,143 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember |  |  |  | 181,851 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember | 174,143 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_UnitedStatesMember |
Europe [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 607,080 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember | 573,786 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember | 549,341 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember
Long-lived assets | 126,080 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember |  |  |  | 138,962 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember |  |  |  | 126,080 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember | 138,962 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember |
China [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 238,892 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_ChinaMember | 240,535 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_ChinaMember | 212,701 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_ChinaMember
Japan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 163,468 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_JapanMember | 170,115 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_JapanMember | 207,340 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_JapanMember
Asia Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 237,668 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_AsiaOtherMember | 216,229 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_AsiaOtherMember | 215,612 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_AsiaOtherMember
Total Asia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 640,028 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember | 626,879 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember | 635,653 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember
Long-lived assets | 12,416 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember |  |  |  | 10,412 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember |  |  |  | 12,416 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember | 10,412 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_TotalAsiaMember |
Other Geographic Area [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 145,687 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember | 145,819 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember | 126,735 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember
Long-lived assets | 1,236 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember |  |  |  | 1,415 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember |  |  |  | 1,236 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember | 1,415 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / wat_GeographicAreaAxis = wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember |
Waters instrument systems [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Product sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 871,048 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersInstrumentSystemsMember | 840,608 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersInstrumentSystemsMember | 828,458 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersInstrumentSystemsMember
Chemistry [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Product sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 312,890 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_ChemistryMember | 304,130 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_ChemistryMember | 294,787 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_ChemistryMember
TA instrument systems [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Product sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 162,791 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaInstrumentSystemsMember | 167,765 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaInstrumentSystemsMember | 157,262 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaInstrumentSystemsMember
Waters service [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 579,759 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersServiceMember | 532,323 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersServiceMember | 509,412 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_WatersServiceMember
TA service [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Entity-Wide Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 62,856 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaServiceMember | $ 59,392 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaServiceMember | $ 53,722 us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = wat_TaServiceMember

X
- Definition Number of operating segments. An operating segment is a component of an enterprise: (a) that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same enterprise), (b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and (c) for which discrete financial information is available. An operating segment may engage in business activities for which it has yet to earn revenues, for example, start-up operations may be operating segments before earning revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 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 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wat_MaximumPercentageOfNetSalesToIndividualCustomer
Namespace Prefix: | wat_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_ChemistryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_TaInstrumentSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_TaServiceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_WatersInstrumentSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_WatersServiceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=us-gaap_EuropeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_AsiaOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_ChinaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_JapanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_OtherGeographicAreaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_TotalAsiaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_GeographicAreaAxis=wat_UnitedStatesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |