XML 48 R39.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Oct. 01, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | $ 2,366,631 | $ 2,043,996
Unrealized Gain | 2,145 | 245
Unrealized Loss | (597) | (2,474)
Fair Value | 2,368,179 | 2,041,767
Debt securities due in one year or less | 1,284,900 | 1,137,825
Due after one year through three years | 862,098 | 828,848
Total debt securities | 2,146,998 | 1,966,673
Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 85,373 | 130,169
Fair Value | 85,373 | 130,169
Investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 2,281,258 | 1,913,827
Unrealized Gain | 2,145 | 245
Unrealized Loss | (597) | (2,474)
Fair Value | 2,282,806 | 1,911,598
US Treasury Securities |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 555,493 | 628,358
Unrealized Gain | 719 | 16
Unrealized Loss | (64) | (1,218)
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Fair Value | 556,148 | 627,156
Foreign Government Debt Securities |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 17,999 | 15,216
Unrealized Gain | 3 |
Unrealized Loss |  | (17)
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Fair Value | 18,002 | 15,199
Corporate Debt Securities |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 1,572,028 | 1,325,398
Unrealized Gain | 1,353 | 159
Unrealized Loss | (533) | (1,239)
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Fair Value | 1,572,848 | 1,324,318
Time Deposits |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 221,034 | 74,947
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Fair Value | 221,034 | 74,947
Equity Securities |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Amortized Cost | 77 | 77
Unrealized Gain | 70 | 70
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring |  |
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities [Line Items] |  |
Fair Value | $ 147 | $ 147

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66010992&loc=d3e26610-111562 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, 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 Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of available-for-sale debt securities maturing in the second fiscal year through the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 320 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27161-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27198-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of available-for-sale debt securities maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27198-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 320 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66010992&loc=d3e26610-111562 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27161-111563 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 320 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)-(g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | wat_ClassificationOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | wat_ClassificationOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |