Business Segment Information - Summary of Net Sales for Company's Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 577,278	$ 578,021	$ 1,690,302	$ 1,704,910
Waters Instrument Systems [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	223,859	238,986	647,248	677,017
Chemistry Consumables [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	100,256	95,979	299,801	293,818
TA Instrument Systems [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	46,458	43,557	131,292	135,673
Product [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	370,573	378,522	1,078,341	1,106,508
Waters Service [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	188,031	180,830	556,128	543,411
TA Service [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	18,674	18,669	55,833	54,991
Service [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 206,705	$ 199,499	$ 611,961	$ 598,402