$WAT
WATERS CORP /DE/ Stock $wat

$wat Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2010 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077126 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Concept	2010 Q4	2010 Q3	2010 Q2
Revenue	$483.6M	$391.1M	$367.7M
YoY Change	12.76%	7.78%	10.4%
Cost Of Revenue	$189.3M	$155.1M	$145.9M
YoY Change	11.24%	7.62%	14.5%
Gross Profit	$294.3M	$235.9M	$221.8M
YoY Change	13.76%	7.88%	7.86%
Gross Profit Margin	60.86%	60.33%	60.31%
Selling, General & Admin	$120.5M	$106.9M	$106.7M
YoY Change	9.58%	-2.41%	7.6%
% of Gross Profit	40.95%	45.33%	48.11%
Research & Development	$22.87M	$20.81M	$20.08M
YoY Change	15.55%	5.5%	9.51%
% of Gross Profit	7.77%	8.82%	9.05%
Depreciation & Amortization	$15.20M	$15.40M	$8.441M
YoY Change	10.95%	6.21%	-41.38%
% of Gross Profit	5.16%	6.53%	3.81%
Operating Expenses	$143.4M	$127.7M	$126.8M
YoY Change	10.49%	-1.21%	7.9%
Operating Profit	$103.8M	$105.6M	$92.36M
YoY Change	-17.81%	21.79%	8.03%
Interest Expense	$3.810M	$3.621M	$2.614M
YoY Change	62.61%	36.69%	-16.49%
% of Operating Profit	3.67%	3.43%	2.83%
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$144.9M	$102.4M	$90.07M
YoY Change	16.16%	20.99%	8.17%
Income Tax	$18.26M	$17.49M	$14.55M
% Of Pretax Income	12.6%	17.08%	16.16%
Net Earnings	$94.70M	$84.90M	$75.50M
YoY Change	24.77%	21.46%	3.0%
Net Earnings / Revenue	19.58%	21.71%	20.53%
Basic Earnings Per Share
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.015M	$900.3K	$793.1K
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	91.71M shares	92.61M shares	93.63M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	93.29M shares	94.28M shares	95.22M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2010 Q4	2010 Q3	2010 Q2
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$837.1M	$754.5M	$692.2M
YoY Change	44.8%	49.2%	60.49%
Cash & Equivalents	$308.5M	$310.9M	$297.0M
Short-Term Investments	$574.3M	$443.6M	$395.2M
Other Short-Term Assets	$77.69M	$51.43M	$53.90M
YoY Change	57.88%	-16.1%	-12.21%
Inventory	$204.3M	$191.8M	$189.2M
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$358.2M	$314.2M	$314.0M
Other Receivables	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total Short-Term Assets	$1.587B	$1.312B	$1.249B
YoY Change	35.34%	23.96%	29.72%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$215.1M	$210.6M	$209.0M
YoY Change	1.96%	3.61%	13.71%
Goodwill	$291.7M	$289.9M
YoY Change	-0.48%
Intangibles	$181.3M	$172.2M
YoY Change	-0.47%
Long-Term Investments
YoY Change
Other Assets	$53.00M	$51.76M	$51.80M
YoY Change	7.31%	-27.41%	-21.87%
Total Long-Term Assets	$741.0M	$724.5M	$732.0M
YoY Change	0.74%	-2.65%	2.88%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$1.587B	$1.312B	$1.249B
Total Long-Term Assets	$741.0M	$724.5M	$732.0M
Total Assets	$2.328B	$2.036B	$1.981B
YoY Change	22.0%	12.97%	18.32%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$64.41M	$59.32M	$57.80M
YoY Change	29.92%	15.63%	21.43%
Accrued Expenses	$49.20M	$41.60M	$42.80M
YoY Change	9.09%	4.79%	6.2%
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$92.20M	$56.90M	$12.40M
YoY Change	-36.28%	-56.5%	-85.93%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$385.9M	$362.6M	$305.2M
YoY Change	-2.21%	-9.38%	-11.15%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$700.0M	$700.0M	$700.0M
YoY Change	40.0%	40.0%	40.0%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$22.64M	$19.65M	$90.50M
YoY Change	-0.58%	-78.87%	2.61%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$873.0M	$860.9M	$790.5M
YoY Change	31.4%	45.17%	34.39%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$385.9M	$362.6M	$305.2M
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$873.0M	$860.9M	$790.5M
Total Liabilities	$1.259B	$1.223B	$1.168B
YoY Change	18.88%	14.14%	15.8%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$2.618B	$2.397B
YoY Change	17.07%
Common Stock	$971.6M	$844.9M
YoY Change	19.97%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)	$2.509B	$2.393B
YoY Change	13.39%
Treasury Stock Shares	59.21M shares	57.53M shares
Shareholders Equity	$1.069B	$813.0M	$813.0M
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$2.328B	$2.036B	$1.981B
YoY Change	22.0%	12.97%	18.32%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2010 Q4	2010 Q3	2010 Q2
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$94.70M	$84.90M	$75.50M
YoY Change	24.77%	21.46%	3.0%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$15.20M	$15.40M	$8.441M
YoY Change	10.95%	6.21%	-41.38%
Cash From Operating Activities	$109.0M	$111.6M	$103.2M
YoY Change	-12.52%	19.87%	27.83%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$26.10M	-$11.00M	-$10.20M
YoY Change	15.49%	-69.1%	-54.05%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$130.8M	-$48.40M	-$106.0M
YoY Change	222.96%	-53.51%	33.84%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$156.7M	-$59.50M	-$116.2M
YoY Change	148.34%	-57.41%	14.58%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net			$105.0M
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net			$132.7M
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-18.70M	-21.70M	-$18.48M
YoY Change	-45.0%	-367.9%	31.99%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	109.0M	111.6M	$103.2M
Cash From Investing Activities	-156.7M	-59.50M	-$116.2M
Cash From Financing Activities	-18.70M	-21.70M	-$18.48M
Net Change In Cash	-66.40M	30.40M	-$31.51M
YoY Change	-341.45%	-178.96%	-9.19%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$109.0M	$111.6M	$103.2M
Capital Expenditures	-$26.10M	-$11.00M	-$10.20M
Free Cash Flow	$135.1M	$122.6M	$113.4M
YoY Change	-8.22%	-4.74%	10.16%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2011	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	WATERS CORP /DE/
CY2011	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0001000697
CY2011	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2011	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2011	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2011	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2011
CY2011	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2011	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2011	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2011	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2011	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2011Q3	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	8920306459	USD
CY2011	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2011-12-31
CY2012Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	89060460	shares
CY2011	wat	Percent Of Net Sales To Pharmaceutical Industry PercentOfNetSalesToPharmaceuticalIndustry	0.52	pure
CY2010	wat	Percent Of Net Sales To Pharmaceutical Industry PercentOfNetSalesToPharmaceuticalIndustry	0.52	pure
CY2009	wat	Percent Of Net Sales To Pharmaceutical Industry PercentOfNetSalesToPharmaceuticalIndustry	0.51	pure
CY2011	wat	Maximum Percentage Of Net Sales To Individual Customer MaximumPercentageOfNetSalesToIndividualCustomer	0.03	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	383990000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	367085000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	212864000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	80804000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	1942104000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	237095000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	191992000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	297071000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	54972000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	2723234000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	290832000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	66055000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	55317000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	64406000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	49949000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	52831000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Revenue And Credits Current DeferredRevenueAndCreditsCurrent	109922000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Revenue And Credits Current DeferredRevenueAndCreditsCurrent	106445000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	9449000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	11909000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	73136000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	72932000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	13258000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	11272000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	601863000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	385850000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Noncurrent LongTermDebtNoncurrent	700000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Noncurrent LongTermDebtNoncurrent	700000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent	92970000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent	72624000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	72613000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	77764000	USD
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CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	22635000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Noncurrent LiabilitiesNoncurrent	894793000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Noncurrent LiabilitiesNoncurrent	873023000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	1496656000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	1258873000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value PreferredStockValue	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value PreferredStockValue	0	USD
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CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	1511000	USD
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CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	2880301000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	2509466000	USD
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CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	2327670000	USD
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CY2011Q4	wat	Allowances For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AllowancesForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	8584000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
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CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Short Term Investments CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments	1281000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Short Term Investments CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments	946000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
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CY2009	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	77154000	USD
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CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	10986000	USD
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CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	63339000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	323313000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	3.37
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	95797000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	3.34
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	96862000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.150	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.128	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.164	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	3265000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Inventory Write Down InventoryWriteDown	10131000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	27579000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	36531000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	29856000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	12528000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	1489721000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-355976000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	598528000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	373751000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts	4523000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	60153000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	370835000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities	32239000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Hedge Financing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities	2233000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-60422000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-5484000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	315641000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-18702000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	75492000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Hedge Financing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities	8138000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-60252000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-32613000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	43286000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	37036000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-2402000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	-2472000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	2926000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Inventory Write Down InventoryWriteDown	10897000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	229244000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	181358000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	100584000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	296292000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-411515000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments	1234671000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Productive Assets PaymentsForProceedsFromProductiveAssets	62740000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities	52017000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	3895000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	457856000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	24852000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	34421000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	28137000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	341111000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deferred Revenue And Customer Advances And Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenueAndCustomerAdvancesAndDeposits	2630000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deferred Revenue And Customer Advances And Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenueAndCustomerAdvancesAndDeposits	9433000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	11100000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	885896000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts	1498000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities	10809000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	3124000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Inventory Write Down InventoryWriteDown	9952000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	28255000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	31805000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	25467000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	16905000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	6823000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-5925000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	689000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities	-10830000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deferred Revenue And Customer Advances And Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenueAndCustomerAdvancesAndDeposits	2613000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-13220000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	418263000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Productive Assets PaymentsForProceedsFromProductiveAssets	93796000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	36086000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments	518390000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-419028000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	184309000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	92556000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	19099000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	211377000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities	5083000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Stock Purchase Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan	3458000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Stock Purchase Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan	4150000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	15855000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	97126000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	56003000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	5083000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	10809000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	32239000	USD
CY2009	wat	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Increase In Valuation Allowance AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncreaseInValuationAllowance	705000	USD
CY2010	wat	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Increase In Valuation Allowance AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncreaseInValuationAllowance	-25873000	USD
CY2011	wat	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Increase In Valuation Allowance AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncreaseInValuationAllowance	-176000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	28376000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Nature Of Operations NatureOfOperations	<p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt'><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:0px;">Waters Corporation (“Waters</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">®</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">” or the “Company”) is</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> an ana</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">lytical instrument manufacturer that</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services, through its Waters Division, high performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra performance liquid chromatography (“UPLC</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">®</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">” and together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”) and mass spectrometry (“MS”) </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">technology</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products and comprehensive post-warranty service plans. These systems are complementary products that </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">are frequently employed together (“LC-MS”) and sold as </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">integrated </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">instrument systems using a common software platform and are</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> used along with other analytical instruments. LC is a standard technique and is utilized in a broad range of industries to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials, and to purify a full range of compounds. MS instruments are used in drug discovery and development, including clinical trial testing, the analysis of proteins in disease processes (known as “proteomics”), food safety analysis and environmental testing. LC-MS instruments </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">combine</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> a liquid phase sample introduction and separation system with mass spectrometric compound identification and quantification. Through its TA Division (“TA</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">®</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">”), the Company primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments, which are used in predicting the suitability of fine chemicals, polymers and viscous liquids for various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products, as well as for life science research. The Company is also a developer and supplier of software-based products that interface with the Company's instruments and are typically purchased by customers as part of the instrument system.</font></p>
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Hedge Financing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities	-5162000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-90280000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	3634000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-87411000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	50313000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	19658000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	39688000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	10564000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	23818000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	13020000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	428522000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits	-5824000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits	-15037000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits	36276000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	661005000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	848949000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Shares Issued SharesIssued	148069000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Shares Issued SharesIssued	152757000	shares
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Shares Issued SharesIssued	148831000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Shares Issued SharesIssued	151054000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Employee Stock Purchase Plans StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans	58000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	264000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Employee Stock Purchase Plans StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans	62000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	228000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	1933000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	1381000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Employee Stock Purchase Plans StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans	88000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	514000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	160000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Stock Purchase Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan	3244000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	24480000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	27340000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	211377000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	296292000	USD
CY2011	wat	Consolidated Entities ConsolidatedEntities	The Company consolidates entities in which it owns or controls fifty percent or more of the voting shares.
CY2011	us-gaap	Additional Cash And Cash Equivalent Related Text AdditionalCashAndCashEquivalentRelatedText	Cash equivalents primarily represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily in bank deposits, U.S. treasury bills, U.S. treasury bill money market funds, Canadian U.S. dollar-denominated treasury bills, commercial paper and European government bond money market funds.
CY2011	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Additional Narrative Disclosure AccountsReceivableAdditionalNarrativeDisclosure	Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectibility.
CY2008Q4	wat	Allowances For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AllowancesForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	7608000	USD
CY2011	wat	Additions To Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AdditionsToAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	9932000	USD
CY2011	wat	Deductions From Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns DeductionsFromAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	-7544000	USD
CY2009Q4	wat	Allowances For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AllowancesForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	6723000	USD
CY2010	wat	Additions To Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AdditionsToAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	5508000	USD
CY2010	wat	Deductions From Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns DeductionsFromAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	-6035000	USD
CY2009	wat	Additions To Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns AdditionsToAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	6956000	USD
CY2009	wat	Deductions From Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Sales Returns DeductionsFromAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAndSalesReturns	-7841000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Income Statement Disclosures PropertyPlantAndEquipmentIncomeStatementDisclosures	There were no material gains or losses from retirement or sale of assets in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
CY2010	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Income Statement Disclosures PropertyPlantAndEquipmentIncomeStatementDisclosures	There were no material gains or losses from retirement or sale of assets in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
CY2009	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Income Statement Disclosures PropertyPlantAndEquipmentIncomeStatementDisclosures	There were no material gains or losses from retirement or sale of assets in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Liability At Fair Value ForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue	626000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	626000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	142966000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Investments ShortTermInvestments	897361000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Asset At Fair Value ForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue	81000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure AssetsFairValueDisclosure	1061075000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Waters Restoration Plan Assets WatersRestorationPlanAssets	20667000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Liability At Fair Value ForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue	1317000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	1317000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	87975000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Investments ShortTermInvestments	637921000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Asset At Fair Value ForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue	424000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure AssetsFairValueDisclosure	746308000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Waters Restoration Plan Assets WatersRestorationPlanAssets	19988000	USD
CY2009	wat	Additional Interest Expense Recorded From Interest Rate Swap Agreements AdditionalInterestExpenseRecordedFromInterestRateSwapAgreements	2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives GainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	-2233000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgingInstruments	-1035000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Maturity Of Foreign Currency Derivatives MaturityOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives	The periods of these forward contracts typically range from one to three months and have varying notional amounts, which are intended to be consistent with changes in the underlying exposures.
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Notional Amount Of Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	136000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Notional Amount Of Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	161000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Notional Amount Of Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	138000000	USD
CY2007Q3	wat	Contract Notional Amount Of Interest Rate Swap Agreements ContractNotionalAmountOfInterestRateSwapAgreements	50000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges Pretax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPretaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss	2000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgingInstruments	-39000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgingInstruments	1448000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives GainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	-8138000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives GainLossOnForeignCurrencyFairValueHedgeDerivatives	5162000	USD
CY2011	wat	Cumulative Net Pre Tax Gains Losses On Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts CumulativeNetPreTaxGainsLossesOnForwardForeignExchangeContracts	-3268000	USD
CY2010	wat	Cumulative Net Pre Tax Gains Losses On Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts CumulativeNetPreTaxGainsLossesOnForwardForeignExchangeContracts	-8177000	USD
CY2009	wat	Cumulative Net Pre Tax Gains Losses On Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts CumulativeNetPreTaxGainsLossesOnForwardForeignExchangeContracts	6610000	USD
CY2007Q3	us-gaap	Number Of Interest Rate Derivatives Held NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld	2	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability At Fair Value InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability At Fair Value InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue	0	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability At Fair Value InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Class Of Warrant Or Right Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights	120.00
CY2011Q4	wat	Preferred Share Purchase Rights Triggering Event PreferredSharePurchaseRightsTriggeringEvent	When a person or group actually has acquired 15% or more of Waters’ common stock, the Rights will then become exercisable for a number of shares of Waters’ common stock with a market value of twice the $120.00 exercise price of each Right.
CY2011Q4	wat	Preferred Share Purchase Rights Redemption Provision PreferredSharePurchaseRightsRedemptionProvision	The Board of Directors may redeem the Rights at a price of $0.001 per Right up until 10 days following a public announcement that any person or group has acquired 15% or more of the Company’s common stock.
CY2011Q4	wat	Preferred Share Purchase Rights Number Of Securities Called PreferredSharePurchaseRightsNumberOfSecuritiesCalled	When they first become exercisable, each Right will entitle its holder to buy from Waters one one-hundredth of a share of new Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (authorized limit of 4,000) for $120.00.
CY2010	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	27000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	10175000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Payments StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	-8189000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	7618000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Payments StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	-6455000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	10109000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	10276000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	5725000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Payments StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	-5892000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Advertising Expense AdvertisingExpense	11000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Advertising Expense AdvertisingExpense	10000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Advertising Expense AdvertisingExpense	10000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Intangible Assets Gross IntangibleAssetsGross	431675000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials Net Of Reserves InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves	71993000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process Net Of Reserves InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves	12293000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods Net Of Reserves InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves	128578000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials Net Of Reserves InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves	63475000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process Net Of Reserves InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves	17301000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods Net Of Reserves InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves	123524000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	280986000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	518081000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	466425000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	251365000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Disposals PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisposals	6000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Disposals PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisposals	9000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Disposals PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisposals	7000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Capitalized Costs For Sofware Developed For Internal Use Net CapitalizedCostsForSofwareDevelopedForInternalUseNet	3000000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Capitalized Costs For Sofware Developed For Internal Use Net CapitalizedCostsForSofwareDevelopedForInternalUseNet	4000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	239683000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Average Useful Life FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAverageUsefulLife	7	pure
CY2010Q4	wat	Intangible Assets Gross IntangibleAssetsGross	403381000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	222065000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Average Useful Life FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAverageUsefulLife	7	pure
CY2011	wat	Intangible Assets Gross Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments IntangibleAssetsGrossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments	-6000000	USD
CY2011	wat	Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments IntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments	-5000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year One FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne	32000000	USD
CY2011Q2	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2501000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	115895000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-102528000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-97312000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-73351000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-3105000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	4083000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	713000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	112525000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	18036000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	94489000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.03
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Three FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree	45000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Four FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour	45000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Five FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive	45000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Investments LongTermInvestments	4000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Investments LongTermInvestments	4000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Two FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	45000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capitalized Software Development Costs For Software Sold To Customers CapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentCostsForSoftwareSoldToCustomers	115000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Capitalized Software Development Costs For Software Sold To Customers CapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentCostsForSoftwareSoldToCustomers	103000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	-1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Capitalized Computer Software Additions CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAdditions	29000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Capitalized Computer Software Additions CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAdditions	29000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Debt Debt	990832000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Debt Debt	766055000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	82108000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	71137000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	59472000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	33242000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	21599000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	24080000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	5661000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	3491000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	3757000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	37381000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	31010000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	35502000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	178238000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	153252000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	135328000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	3679000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	2269000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	2442000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-1080000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-5824000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-15037000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	3867000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-2109000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Net Operating Loss Carryforwards And Credits Deferred Tax Assets NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsAndCreditsDeferredTaxAssets	18242000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Net Operating Loss Carryforwards And Credits Deferred Tax Assets NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsAndCreditsDeferredTaxAssets	21359000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Depreciation Deferred Tax Assets DepreciationDeferredTaxAssets	12990000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Depreciation Deferred Tax Assets DepreciationDeferredTaxAssets	10339000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost	22616000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost	24477000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Equity Method Investments DeferredTaxAssetsEquityMethodInvestments	4941000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Equity Method Investments DeferredTaxAssetsEquityMethodInvestments	5896000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Inventory DeferredTaxAssetsInventory	3226000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Inventory DeferredTaxAssetsInventory	3093000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	30371000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	23976000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	11349000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	8711000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	131177000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	119288000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	10248000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	10361000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	120929000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	108927000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Expense Capitalized Software DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedSoftware	13263000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Expense Capitalized Software DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedSoftware	10877000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssets	9818000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssets	10308000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Indefinite Lived Intangibles Deferred Tax Liabilities IndefiniteLivedIntangiblesDeferredTaxLiabilities	17665000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Indefinite Lived Intangibles Deferred Tax Liabilities IndefiniteLivedIntangiblesDeferredTaxLiabilities	19901000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	171000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	119000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	40917000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	41205000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	80012000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Future Minimum Rents Payable In Five Years And Thereafter FutureMinimumRentsPayableInFiveYearsAndThereafter	12392000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	28000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Domestic Federal And State Net Operating Loss Carryforward Deferred Tax Assets DomesticFederalAndStateNetOperatingLossCarryforwardDeferredTaxAssets	less than $1 million
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	67722000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Employee Compensation DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeCompensation	27442000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Employee Compensation DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeCompensation	21437000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Current DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent	56000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Current DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent	48000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	24000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	20000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards Foreign DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign	71000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards Research DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsResearch	14000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Foreign Net Operating Loss Deferred Tax Assets Pre Tax ForeignNetOperatingLossDeferredTaxAssetsPreTax	2000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	84000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Foreign Net Operating Loss Deferred Tax Assets Less Than One Million ForeignNetOperatingLossDeferredTaxAssetsLessThanOneMillion	less than $1 million
CY2011	wat	Unremitted Earnings Of Foreign Subsidiaries UnremittedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries	2000000000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	77295000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	77924000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	71523000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	73199000	USD
CY2011	wat	Increase In Other Uncertain Tax Benefits IncreaseInOtherUncertainTaxBenefits	1676000	USD
CY2010	wat	Increase In Other Uncertain Tax Benefits IncreaseInOtherUncertainTaxBenefits	5095000	USD
CY2009	wat	Increase In Other Uncertain Tax Benefits IncreaseInOtherUncertainTaxBenefits	5184000	USD
CY2011	wat	Expected Reduction In Unrecognized Tax Benefits In Next Twelve Months Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations ExpectedReductionInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInNextTwelveMonthsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	4000000	USD
CY2010	wat	Percentage Point Change In Effective Tax Rate PercentagePointChangeInEffectiveTaxRate	-2.1	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	23829000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	18407000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	13332000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	7036000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	34000000	USD
CY2011	wat	License Fees Paid Less Than One Million LicenseFeesPaidLessThanOneMillion	less than $1 million
CY2010	wat	License Fees Paid Less Than One Million LicenseFeesPaidLessThanOneMillion	less than $1 million
CY2009	wat	License Fees Paid Less Than One Million LicenseFeesPaidLessThanOneMillion	less than $1 million
CY2011	wat	Purchase Price Calculation For Shares Of Stock Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan PurchasePriceCalculationForSharesOfStockUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlan	The purchase price for each share of stock is the lesser of 90% of the market price on the first day of the plan period or 100% of the market price on the last day of the plan period.
CY2011Q4	wat	Maximum Contribution Allowed Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan As Of Employees Earnings MaximumContributionAllowedUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlanAsOfEmployeesEarnings	0.15	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Employee Stock Ownership Plan Esop Compensation Expense EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPCompensationExpense	1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	67000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	45000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	13000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	92000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm	4.3	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue	91000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	56.56
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm	5.9	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	1400000	shares
CY2011Q4	wat	Total Number Of Shares Purchased Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan TotalNumberOfSharesPurchasedUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlan	1100000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number Of Exercisable Options ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions	3700000	shares
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number Of Exercisable Options ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions	5100000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber	4800000	shares
CY2010	wat	Compensation Expense Related To Employee Stock Purchase Plan Less Than One Million CompensationExpenseRelatedToEmployeeStockPurchasePlanLessThanOneMillion	less than $1 million
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Stock Ownership Plan Esop Compensation Expense EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPCompensationExpense	1000000	USD
CY2011	wat	Plan Period Employee Stock Purchase Plan In Months PlanPeriodEmployeeStockPurchasePlanInMonths	3	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1	43.45
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1	45.17
CY2010	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	24852000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	27579000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	28255000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate	0.305	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.011	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.020	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.029	pure
CY2011	wat	Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Options Granted WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOptionsGranted	79.10
CY2010	wat	Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Options Granted WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOptionsGranted	78.21
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	29.67
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	23.97
CY2009	wat	Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Options Granted WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOptionsGranted	58.46
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	20.65
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Two DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearTwo	6100000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Three DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearThree	7680000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Four DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearFour	8387000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	658000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm	6	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Payments ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendPayments	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	667000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm	6	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Payments ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendPayments	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	608000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm	6	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Payments ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendPayments	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate	0.376	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate	0.271	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	5560000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod	-28000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	4809000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	50.19
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	80.87
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	56.71
CY2011Q4	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Outstanding Lower Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsOutstandingLowerRangeLimit	21.39
CY2011Q4	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Outstanding Upper Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsOutstandingUpperRangeLimit	79.15
CY2010Q4	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Outstanding Lower Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsOutstandingLowerRangeLimit	21.39
CY2010Q4	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Outstanding Upper Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsOutstandingUpperRangeLimit	80.97
CY2011	wat	Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Options Exercised WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOptionsExercised	40.64
CY2011	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Exercised Lower Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsExercisedLowerRangeLimit	21.39
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Five DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearFive	9454000	USD
CY2011	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Exercised Upper Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsExercisedUpperRangeLimit	77.94
CY2011	wat	Exercise Price Range Of Options Canceled Lower Range Limit ExercisePriceRangeOfOptionsCanceledLowerRangeLimit	36.25
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CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1492000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	1300000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	2500000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	3300000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1672000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1065000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	271524000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	125439000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-12644000	USD
CY2011	wat	Other Comprehensive Income Net Foreign Currency Adjustments OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetForeignCurrencyAdjustments	-12644000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	966000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	339000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	627000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-12243000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-24260000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	408708000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-24568000	USD
CY2010	wat	Other Comprehensive Income Net Foreign Currency Adjustments OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetForeignCurrencyAdjustments	-24568000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	19000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	7000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	12000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-2813000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-27369000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	354394000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	19405000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	2766000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTax	968000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	1798000	USD
CY2009	wat	Other Comprehensive Income Net Foreign Currency Adjustments OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetForeignCurrencyAdjustments	21203000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	-38000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	-13000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-25000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	2977000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	24155000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	347468000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Alternative Method Used To Amortize Net Gains And Losses DefinedBenefitPlanAlternativeMethodUsedToAmortizeNetGainsAndLosses	amortize cumulative actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the larger of the market-related value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation over the expected future service of active participants.
CY2011Q4	wat	Estimated Future Employer Contributions To Defined Benefit Plans In Next Fiscal Year Range Minimum EstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsToDefinedBenefitPlansInNextFiscalYearRangeMinimum	7000000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Estimated Future Employer Contributions To Defined Benefit Plans In Next Fiscal Year Range Maximum EstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsToDefinedBenefitPlansInNextFiscalYearRangeMaximum	9000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets	108727000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets	108929000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year One DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearOne	5283000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Five Fiscal Years Thereafter DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInFiveFiscalYearsThereafter	62540000	USD
CY2011	wat	Percent Of Net Sales Derived From Operations Outside United States PercentOfNetSalesDerivedFromOperationsOutsideUnitedStates	0.71	pure
CY2010	wat	Percent Of Net Sales Derived From Operations Outside United States PercentOfNetSalesDerivedFromOperationsOutsideUnitedStates	0.70	pure
CY2009	wat	Percent Of Net Sales Derived From Operations Outside United States PercentOfNetSalesDerivedFromOperationsOutsideUnitedStates	0.69	pure
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	427603000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	169829000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	257774000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	117124000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	22254000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	91649000	shares
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.01
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	93313000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	447627000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	176103000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	20076000	USD
CY2010Q2	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2642000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	21534000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	137147000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.54
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	89324000	shares
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	367700000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	145932000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	221768000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.51
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	90566000	shares
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	106693000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	23014000	USD
CY2011Q3	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2504000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	120567000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	5052000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	813000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	116328000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	16253000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	100075000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.09
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	91662000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.07
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	93271000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	454534000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	180318000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	274216000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	121211000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	23372000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2369000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	127264000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	6159000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	613000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	121718000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	20461000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	101257000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.12
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	90688000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.10
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	92060000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	521420000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	204243000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	317177000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	126237000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	23707000	USD
CY2011Q4	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2359000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	164874000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	6677000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	484000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	158681000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	92357000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2614000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	329000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	90072000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	14554000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	75518000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	106939000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	20807000	USD
CY2010Q3	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2592000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	105584000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.38
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	91583000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.36
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	93344000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	3621000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	448000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	102411000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	17489000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	84922000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.92
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	92612000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	148176000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	3879000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	562000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.81
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	93629000	shares
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.79
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	95223000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	391055000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	155133000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	235922000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.90
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	94278000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	401038000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	162985000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	238053000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	111306000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	20524000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2408000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	103815000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	3810000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	516000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	100521000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	5802000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	94719000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.03
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	91714000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.02
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	93286000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	483578000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	189253000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	294325000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	120518000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	22867000	USD
CY2010Q4	wat	Purchased Intangibles Amortization PurchasedIntangiblesAmortization	2764000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	144859000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	18255000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	126604000	USD

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WATERS CORP /DE/ Stock $wat

2010 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077126 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$WAT WATERS CORP /DE/ Stock $wat

2010 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077126 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$WAT
WATERS CORP /DE/ Stock $wat