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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 1 Months Ended 35 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015
Mar. 29, 2014
May 31, 2014
Apr. 04, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]          
Notional amount of foreign exchange contracts $ 109,000,000wat_DerivativeNotionalAmount1     $ 109,000,000wat_DerivativeNotionalAmount1 $ 110,000,000wat_DerivativeNotionalAmount1
Cumulative net pre-tax losses on foreign exchange contracts (3,006,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet (1,195,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet      
Realized losses on foreign exchange contracts (3,348,000)wat_RealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet (314,000)wat_RealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet      
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign exchange contracts 342,000wat_UnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet (881,000)wat_UnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet      
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 1,798,835,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue     1,798,835,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue 1,700,262,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
Other cash equivalents 29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue     29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets 35,678,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets     35,678,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets 33,935,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets
Forward foreign exchange contract assets 445,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset     445,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset 123,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis 1,863,958,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure     1,863,958,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure 1,763,320,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Contingent consideration 3,780,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability     3,780,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability 3,612,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities 631,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability     631,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability 651,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis 4,411,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure     4,411,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure 4,263,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
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 2,109,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments     2,109,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments 2,055,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments
Debt [Line Items]          
Long-term debt 1,310,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent     1,310,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 1,240,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]          
Accrued warranty liability, balance at beginning of period 13,266,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual 12,962,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual      
Accruals for warranties 1,762,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued 1,752,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued      
Settlements made (2,157,000)us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments (1,919,000)us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments      
Accrued warranty liability, balance at end of period 12,871,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual 12,795,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual   12,871,000us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual  
Programs authorized by Board of Directors [Member]          
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]          
Treasury stock shares acquired 0.7us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
0.8us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
     
Treasury stock 85,000,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
86,000,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
     
Stock repurchase program remaining amount authorized for future purchases 684,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
    684,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_ProgramsAuthorizedByBoardOfDirectorsMember
 
Related To Vesting Of Restricted Stock Units [Member]          
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]          
Treasury stock 6,000,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_RelatedToVestingOfRestrictedStockUnitsMember
7,000,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_RelatedToVestingOfRestrictedStockUnitsMember
     
May 2014 Program [Member]          
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]          
Stock repurchase program authorization amount     750,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_May2014ProgramMember
   
Stock repurchase program period, in years     3 years    
May 2012 Program [Member]          
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]          
Treasury stock shares acquired       7.6us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_May2012ProgramMember
 
Treasury stock       750,000,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= wat_May2012ProgramMember
 
Unsecured debt [Member]          
Debt [Line Items]          
Long-term debt 500,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
    500,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
600,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Fair value of debt instruments 515,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
    515,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
608,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ wat_DebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]          
Cash, cash equivalents and investments 2,067,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsGeographyAxis
= wat_HeldByForeignSubsidiariesMember
    2,067,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsGeographyAxis
= wat_HeldByForeignSubsidiariesMember
1,971,000,000us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsGeographyAxis
= wat_HeldByForeignSubsidiariesMember
US Treasury Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 641,693,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
    641,693,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
626,772,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
Foreign Government Debt Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 24,994,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
    24,994,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
24,998,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Corporate Debt Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 1,067,736,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
    1,067,736,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
984,105,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Time Deposits          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 64,265,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
    64,265,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
64,240,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
Equity Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
    147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Other cash equivalents 29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
29,000,000us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets 35,678,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    35,678,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
33,935,000wat_WatersRestorationPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Forward foreign exchange contract assets 445,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    445,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
123,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis 1,863,958,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    1,863,958,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,763,320,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities 631,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    631,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
651,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis 631,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    631,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
651,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | US Treasury Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 641,693,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    641,693,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
626,772,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Government Debt Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 24,994,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    24,994,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
24,998,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate Debt Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 1,067,736,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    1,067,736,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
984,105,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Time Deposits          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 64,265,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    64,265,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
64,240,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value 147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
    147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
147,000wat_CashEquivalentsAndInvestmentsFairValue
/ wat_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)          
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]          
Contingent consideration 3,780,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
    3,780,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
3,612,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis $ 3,780,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
    $ 3,780,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
$ 3,612,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member