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Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 29, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | $ 1,700,666 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis | $ 1,399,712 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis |
Unrealized Gain |  | 441 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains | 371 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains |
Unrealized Loss |  | (845)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses | (243)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses |
Fair Value |  | 1,700,262 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue | 1,399,840 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue |
Debt securities due in one year or less |  | 872,872 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsFairValue | 1,011,459 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsFairValue |
Due after one year through three years |  | 763,003 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoAndBeyone | 314,184 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoAndBeyone |
Total debt securities |  | 1,635,875 wat_DebtSecurities | 1,325,643 wat_DebtSecurities |
Loss on investments | (1,575)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments |  | (1,575)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments |
Realized investment gains losses, description |  | Realized gains and losses on sales of investments were not material in 2014, 2013 and 2012. | Realized gains and losses on sales of investments were not material in 2014, 2013 and 2012. | Realized gains and losses on sales of investments were not material in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 67,051 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember | 36,966 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember |
Fair Value |  | 67,051 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember | 36,966 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember |
Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 1,633,615 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | 1,362,746 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Unrealized Gain |  | 441 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | 371 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Unrealized Loss |  | (845)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | (243)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Fair Value |  | 1,633,211 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | 1,362,874 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsClassificationAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
US Treasury Securities |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 626,683 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember | 556,438 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |
Unrealized Gain |  | 246 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember | 111 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |
Unrealized Loss |  | (157)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember | (10)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |
Fair Value |  | 626,772 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember | 556,539 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |
Foreign Government Debt Securities |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 24,998 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember | 139,670 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember |
Fair Value |  | 24,998 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember | 139,670 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember |
Corporate Debt Securities |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 984,668 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | 629,477 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember |
Unrealized Gain |  | 125 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | 190 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember |
Unrealized Loss |  | (688)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | (233)wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember |
Fair Value |  | 984,105 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | 629,434 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember |
Time Deposits |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 64,240 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember | 74,050 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Fair Value |  | 64,240 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember | 74,050 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Equity Securities |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amortized Cost |  | 77 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember | 77 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsAmortizedCostBasis / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |
Unrealized Gain |  | 70 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember | 70 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedGains / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |
Fair Value |  | $ 147 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember | $ 147 wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue / wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsTypeAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |

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- Definition This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27405-111563 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (c)-(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the cost of cash equivalents and debt and equity securities, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of debt securities at fair value maturing in the next rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet presented. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of debt securities at fair value maturing in the second rolling twelve months through the fifth rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet presented. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents cash equivalents and short-term investments as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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