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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PjV9vK3p0jA0OPw3AOn9VXqmR4Cfuf4Acxa4CAYa4uAmoN3uIorIVumoD1babTkh
 I+OkiWBIMRFcP3hXsf9O4Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001184450-07-000001.txt : 20070824
<SEC-HEADER>0001184450-07-000001.hdr.sgml : 20070824
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070824135233
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001184450-07-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070822
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070824
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070824

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WATERS CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001000697
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				133668640
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE ST
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5084782000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE STREET
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	WCD INVESTORS INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960605

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAPUTO ARTHUR G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184450

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14010
		FILM NUMBER:		071077882

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		34 MAPLE ST
		CITY:			MILFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01757
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-08-22</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001000697</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WATERS CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WAT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184450</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAPUTO ARTHUR G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>34 MAPLE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MILFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01757-3696</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP and President, Waters Div</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>475734</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-08-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2007-08-22</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>I</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>101953.05</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>61.45</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>BY 401K PLAN</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person re-allocated assets within the Waters 401(K) Plan by divesting his shares in the Waters Stock Fund and re-allocating to other investment vehicles in the Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>ARTHUR G CAPUTO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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