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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Millions
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
May 31, 2014
Oct. 01, 2016
Oct. 03, 2015
Oct. 01, 2016
Oct. 03, 2015
Dec. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]            
Proceeds from sale of assets       $ 4,000,000 $ 5,154,000  
Long-term investments           $ 2,000,000
Gain on sale of assets       $ 1,500,000 1,377,000  
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   $ 2,713,000,000   $ 2,713,000,000   2,399,000,000
Derivative [Line Items]            
Foreign currency exposure       The Company is a global company that operates in over 35 countries and, as a result, the Company’s net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and balance sheet amounts are significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.    
Maturity period of foreign exchange contracts       The Company periodically aggregates its net worldwide balances by currency and then enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that mature within 90 days to hedge a portion of the remaining balance to minimize some of the Company’s currency price risk exposure.    
Notional amount of foreign exchange contracts   124,000,000   $ 124,000,000   116,000,000
Realized (losses) gains on foreign exchange contracts   (1,994,000) $ 810,000 (9,525,000) 5,000  
Unrealized (losses) gains on foreign exchange contracts   1,003,000 (71,000) 11,000 (9,000)  
Cumulative net pre-tax (losses) gains on foreign exchange contracts   (991,000) 739,000 (9,514,000) (4,000)  
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   2,368,179,000   2,368,179,000   2,041,767,000
Debt [Line Items]            
Long-term debt   1,656,832,000   1,656,832,000   1,493,027,000
Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]            
Accrued warranty liability, balance at beginning of period       13,349,000 13,266,000  
Accruals for warranties       7,101,000 5,834,000  
Settlements made       (6,915,000) (5,993,000)  
Accrued warranty liability, balance at end of period   13,535,000 $ 13,107,000 13,535,000 $ 13,107,000  
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Other cash equivalents   3,000,000   3,000,000   27,000,000
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets   30,373,000   30,373,000   35,823,000
Forward foreign exchange contract assets   376,000   376,000   616,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis   2,401,928,000   2,401,928,000   2,105,206,000
Contingent consideration   4,805,000   4,805,000   4,215,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities   151,000   151,000   402,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   4,956,000   4,956,000   4,617,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Other cash equivalents   3,000,000   3,000,000   27,000,000
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets   30,373,000   30,373,000   35,823,000
Forward foreign exchange contract assets   376,000   376,000   616,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis   2,401,928,000   2,401,928,000   2,105,206,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities   151,000   151,000   402,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   151,000   151,000   402,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Contingent consideration   4,805,000   4,805,000   4,215,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   4,805,000   4,805,000   4,215,000
Held in currencies other than U.S. dollars [Member]            
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]            
Cash, cash equivalents and investments   263,000,000   $ 263,000,000   248,000,000
Programs authorized by Board of Directors [Member]            
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]            
Treasury stock shares acquired       1.8 1.3  
Treasury stock       $ 236,000,000 $ 249,000,000  
Related to Vesting of Restricted Stock Units [Member]            
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]            
Treasury stock       6,000,000 $ 6,000,000  
May 2014 Program [Member]            
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]            
Stock repurchase program authorization amount $ 750,000,000          
Stock repurchase program remaining amount authorized for future purchases   206,000,000   206,000,000    
Stock repurchase program period 3 years          
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   556,148,000   556,148,000   627,156,000
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   556,148,000   556,148,000   627,156,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   18,002,000   18,002,000   15,199,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   18,002,000   18,002,000   15,199,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   1,572,848,000   1,572,848,000   1,324,318,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   1,572,848,000   1,572,848,000   1,324,318,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   221,034,000   221,034,000   74,947,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   221,034,000   221,034,000   74,947,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   147,000   147,000   147,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)            
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Marketable securities   147,000   147,000   147,000
Unsecured debt | Fixed interest rate [Member]            
Debt [Line Items]            
Long-term debt   610,000,000   610,000,000   450,000,000
Fair value of debt instrument   618,000,000   618,000,000   454,000,000
Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member]            
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]            
Cash, cash equivalents and investments   $ 2,664,000,000   $ 2,664,000,000   $ 2,346,000,000