Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Estimated Amount of Deferred Revenue and Customer Advances (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Deferred revenue and customer advances expected to be recognized, in one year or less	$ 214,979
Deferred revenue and customer advances expected to be recognized, in 13-24 months	21,139
Deferred revenue and customer advances expected to be recognized, in 25 months and beyond	11,125
Deferred revenue and customer advances expected to be recognized, Total	$ 247,243

Deferred revenue and customer advances to be recognized in year three and beyond.

No definition available.

Name:	wat_DeferredRevenueAndCustomerAdvancesToBeRecognizedInYearThreeAndBeyond
Namespace Prefix:	wat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant