2.2.0.7 false Litigation 10700 - Disclosure - Litigation true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 EPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Litigation [Abstract] 0 us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlementAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Litigation 1 wat_Litigation wat false na duration This element represents the complete disclosure related to litigation. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 7  Litigation The Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes the outcome of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position. The Company has been engaged in ongoing patent litigation with Agilent Technologies GmbH in France and Germany. In January 2009, the French appeals court affirmed that the Company had infringed the Agilent Technologies GmbH patent and a judgment was issued against the Company. The Company has appealed this judgment. In 2008, the Company recorded a $7 million provision and, in the first quarter of 2009, the Company made a payment of $6 million for damages and fees estimated to be incurred in connection with the French litigation case. The accrued patent litigation expense is in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at October 2, 2010 and December 31, 2009. No provision has been made for the German patent litigation and the Company believes the outcome, if the plaintiff ultimately prevails, will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position. 7  Litigation The Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes the outcome false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock This element represents the complete disclosure related to litigation. No authoritative reference available. false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true