Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2011

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis [Abstract]

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The following table represents the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at October 1, 2011 (in thousands):

					Quoted Prices
					in Active		Significant
					Markets		Other		Significant
					for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
			Total at		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
			October 1, 2011		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	210,420	$	-	$	210,420	$	-
	Short-term investments			770,291		-		770,291		-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets			19,079		-		19,079		-
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements		218		-		218		-
		Total	$	1,000,008	$	-	$	1,000,008	$	-
Liabilities:
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements	$	108	$	-	$	108	$	-
		Total	$	108	$	-	$	108	$	-

The following table represents the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

					Quoted Prices
					in Active		Significant
					Markets		Other		Significant
			Total at		for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
			December 31,		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
			2010		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	87,975	$	-	$	87,975	$	-
	Short-term investments			637,921		-		637,921		-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets			19,988		-		19,988		-
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements		424		-		424		-
		Total	$	746,308	$	-	$	746,308	$	-
Liabilities:
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements	$	626	$	-	$	626	$	-
		Total	$	626	$	-	$	626	$	-

Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract]

Gains (Losses) on Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

The following is a summary of the activity related to the forward foreign exchange contracts (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 1, 2011		October 2, 2010		October 1, 2011		October 2, 2010
Realized (losses) gains on closed contracts	$	(3,941)	$	1,998	$	(1,971)	$	(4,968)
Unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts		160		(382)		312		(127)
Cumulative net pre-tax (losses) gains	$	(3,781)	$	1,616	$	(1,659)	$	(5,095)

Fair Value of Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company's foreign currency exchange contracts included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):

	October 1, 2011		December 31, 2010
Other current assets	$	218	$	424
Other current liabilities	$	108	$	626

Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]

Warranty Accrual Roll Forward

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company's accrued warranty liability for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 (in thousands):

	Balance at						Balance at
	Beginning		Accruals for		Settlements		End of
	of Period		Warranties		Made		Period
Accrued warranty liability:
October 1, 2011	$	11,272	$	7,061	$	(5,837)	$	12,496
October 2, 2010	$	10,109	$	4,849	$	(4,191)	$	10,767