Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

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 September 29, 2012 (in thousands):

					Quoted Prices
					in Active		Significant
					Markets		Other		Significant
					for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
			Total at		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
			September 29, 2012		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	108,987	$	-	$	108,987	$	-
	Short-term investments			1,092,148		-		1,092,148		-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets			24,243		-		24,243		-
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements		146		-		146		-
		Total	$	1,225,524	$	-	$	1,225,524	$	-
Liabilities:
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements	$	531	$	-	$	531	$	-
		Total	$	531	$	-	$	531	$	-

The following table represents the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

					Quoted Prices
					in Active		Significant
					Markets		Other		Significant
			Total at		for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
			December 31,		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
			2011		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	142,966	$	-	$	142,966	$	-
	Short-term investments			897,361		-		897,361		-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets			20,667		-		20,667		-
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements		81		-		81		-
		Total	$	1,061,075	$	-	$	1,061,075	$	-
Liabilities:
	Foreign currency exchange contract
		agreements	$	1,317	$	-	$	1,317	$	-
		Total	$	1,317	$	-	$	1,317	$	-

Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract]

Gains (Losses) on Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

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

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 29, 2012		October 1, 2011		September 29, 2012		October 1, 2011
Realized gains (losses) on closed contracts	$	424	$	(3,941)	$	899	$	(1,971)
Unrealized gains on open contracts		593		160		851		312
Cumulative net pre-tax gains (losses)	$	1,017	$	(3,781)	$	1,750	$	(1,659)

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):

	September 29, 2012		December 31, 2011
Other current assets	$	146	$	81
Other current liabilities	$	531	$	1,317

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 September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011 (in thousands):

	Balance at						Balance at
	Beginning		Accruals for		Settlements		End of
	of Period		Warranties		Made		Period
Accrued warranty liability:
September 29, 2012	$	13,258	$	5,780	$	(6,153)	$	12,885
October 1, 2011	$	11,272	$	7,061	$	(5,837)	$	12,496