Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 2,127.3	$ 1,941.9	$ 1,644.2
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales	1,379.1	1,290.7	1,148.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	505.1	424.0	317.6
Total costs and expenses	1,884.2	1,714.7	1,465.7
Income before other income/(expense) and income taxes	243.1	227.2	178.5
Other income/(expense), net	2.9	0.6	1.6
Interest and debt expense, net	(17.8)	(16.2)	(6.5)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	228.2	211.6	173.6
Provision for income taxes	65.4	69.5	53.6
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	162.8	142.1	120.0
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	2.3	113.1	0.6
Net income	165.1	255.2	120.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.0)	0	(0.1)
Net income attributable to Teledyne	164.1	255.2	120.5
Net income from continuing operations	161.8	142.1	119.9
Net income attributable to Teledyne	$ 164.1	$ 255.2	$ 120.5
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in USD per share)	$ 4.41	$ 3.88	$ 3.31
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)	$ 0.06	$ 3.09	$ 0.02
Basic earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 4.47	$ 6.97	$ 3.33
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36.7	36.6	36.2
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in USD per share)	$ 4.33	$ 3.81	$ 3.25
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)	$ 0.06	$ 3.03	$ 0.02
Diluted earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 4.39	$ 6.84	$ 3.27
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)	37.4	37.3	36.9