SEGMENT DATA - Summary of Net Sales and Other Information by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended					60 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 1,180.5	$ 1,025.5	$ 1,125.0	$ 1,140.7	$ 1,167.3	$ 1,031.5	$ 1,137.4	$ 1,115.6	$ 4,471.7	$ 4,451.8	$ 4,220.2
Depreciation and amortization									363.1	359.9	340.2
Segment operating profit									1,373.6	1,329.0	1,293.8
Share-based payment expense									(55.0)	(60.5)	(62.0)
Inventory step-up									(4.8)	(11.4)	(1.4)
Certain claims									(15.0)	(157.8)	(75.0)	(35.0)	(69.0)	(351.8)
Goodwill impairment	(96.0)								(96.0)		(204.0)
Special items									(155.4)	(75.2)	(34.7)
Operating Profit									1,047.4	1,024.1	916.7
Long-lived assets	1,210.7				1,207.3				1,210.7	1,207.3	1,213.8			1,210.7
Total assets	9,012.4				8,515.3				9,012.4	8,515.3	7,999.9			9,012.4
Additions to instruments									148.9	155.4	192.5
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									114.7	113.8	79.2
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									2,476.3	2,440.8	2,431.6
Depreciation and amortization									73.7	81.0	78.1
Segment operating profit									1,256.3	1,220.4	1,214.6
Long-lived assets	776.0				769.0				776.0	769.0	841.5			776.0
Total assets	2,690.6				2,571.6				2,690.6	2,571.6	2,578.0			2,690.6
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									0.7	1.3	0.3
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									1,177.4	1,214.5	1,099.5
Depreciation and amortization									73.6	74.9	70.5
Segment operating profit									369.1	411.5	398.0
Long-lived assets	326.1				330.6				326.1	330.6	281.7			326.1
Total assets	2,308.0				2,345.5				2,308.0	2,345.5	2,210.8			2,308.0
Additions to instruments									14.0	15.2	22.9
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									21.9	23.8	16.9
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales									818.0	796.5	689.1
Depreciation and amortization									36.3	36.3	30.0
Segment operating profit									311.1	290.6	259.9
Long-lived assets	108.6				107.7				108.6	107.7	90.6			108.6
Total assets	578.3				602.4				578.3	602.4	561.4			578.3
Additions to instruments									7.1	7.7	5.2
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									6.4	4.7	7.6
Global Operations And Corporate Functions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									179.5	167.7	161.6
Segment operating profit									(562.9)	(593.5)	(578.7)
Total assets	3,435.5				2,995.8				3,435.5	2,995.8	2,649.7			3,435.5
Additions to instruments									127.8	132.5	164.4
Additions to other property, plant and equipment									$ 85.7	$ 84.0	$ 54.4