XML 76 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Retirement Plans (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Method used to amortize net gains and losses in defined benefit plan | amortize cumulative actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the larger of the market-related value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation over the expected future service of active participants. |  |
Other Non-U S Retirement Plans [Member] |  |  |
Retirement Plan Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Company contributions to retirement plans | $ 11,000,000 wat_CompanyContributionsToRetirementPlans / wat_RetirementPlansAxis = wat_OtherNonUSRetirementPlansMember | $ 12,000,000 wat_CompanyContributionsToRetirementPlans / wat_RetirementPlansAxis = wat_OtherNonUSRetirementPlansMember | $ 11,000,000 wat_CompanyContributionsToRetirementPlans / wat_RetirementPlansAxis = wat_OtherNonUSRetirementPlansMember
U S Defined Contribution Plan [Member] |  |  |
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Employee 401(k) contributions, lower range limit | 1.00%wat_DefinedContributionPlanMinimumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Employee 401(k) contributions, upper range limit | 60.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Company 401(k) matching contribution rate | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Company 401(k) matching contribution limit | 6.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Annual vesting percentage on 401(k) match | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployersMatchingContributionAnnualVestingPercentage / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Annual vesting percentage on employee 401(k) contributions | 100.00%wat_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeContributionAnnualVestingPercentage / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember |  |
Company contributions to defined contribution plans | 13,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember | 13,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember | 12,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis = wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember
Minimum |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plans in the next fiscal year | 4,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |
Maximum |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plans in the next fiscal year | 11,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
U.S. Pension Plans |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation | 155,693,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 134,592,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember |
Non-U.S. Pension Plans |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ 69,664,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 58,471,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |

X
- Definition For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Description of the alternative method used to amortize net gains and losses. Any systematic method of amortizing gains or losses may be used in lieu of the minimum specified provided that (a) the minimum is used in any period in which the minimum amortization is greater (reduces the net balance included in accumulated other comprehensive income by more), (b) the method is applied consistently, (c) the method is applied similarly to both gains and losses, and (4) the method used is disclosed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (o) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 25 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e11800-114930 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 60 -Section 35 -Paragraph 31 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35731423&loc=d3e34641-114959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAlternativeMethodUsedToAmortizeNetGainsAndLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 70 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage employer matches of the employee's percentage contribution matched. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of employer's matching contributions to a defined contribution plan that vests in a given year. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployersMatchingContributionAnnualVestingPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the cost recognized during the period for retirement plans. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wat_CompanyContributionsToRetirementPlans
Namespace Prefix: | wat_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Vesting percentage of employee's contributions to a defined contribution plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wat_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeContributionAnnualVestingPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | wat_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Minimum percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wat_DefinedContributionPlanMinimumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix: | wat_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | wat_RetirementPlanDisclosuresLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | wat_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_DefinedContributionPlansAxis=wat_USDefinedContributionPlanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_RetirementPlansAxis=wat_OtherNonUSRetirementPlansMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |