Why wear a watch?

[unterhund]

Bear with me. This isn't a troll post, I swear.

A month or so ago the pin in my Casio's watchband slipped. The watch fell maybe three feet and landed edge down on the sidewalk, busting one of the resin "legs" off. The pin disappeared in the process, along with the leg, leaving me without a wristwatch. And at the time I was in a minor financial crunch, so I couldn't replace it right away.

I've worn a watch for I have no idea how many years. It bugged me the first few days, not feeling that familiar presence on my left wrist. And I still haven't fully gotten used to it.

But . . . most rooms of my house have at least one clock. My cell phone keeps time. My PC and phone at work both display clocks. So I don't need the watch as often.

In fact, I really miss my watch most when I'm driving, as there's no clock in my car. My now-broken watch still keeps time, so it's sitting in my car, but it's not a perfect solution. And then there's times when I can't see a clock easily, like in most retail stores. Pulling out my cell phone is much more hassle than glancing at my wrist.

So now that I can buy a new watch, do I really need to? Do your best to sell me on your opinion, please. And thanks for your indulgence.

[scríbhneoir]

Bear with me. This isn't a troll post, I swear.

A month or so ago the pin in my Casio's watchband slipped. The watch fell maybe three feet and landed edge down on the sidewalk, busting one of the resin "legs" off. The pin disappeared in the process, along with the leg, leaving me without a wristwatch. And at the time I was in a minor financial crunch, so I couldn't replace it right away.

I've worn a watch for I have no idea how many years. It bugged me the first few days, not feeling that familiar presence on my left wrist. And I still haven't fully gotten used to it.

But . . . most rooms of my house have at least one clock. My cell phone keeps time. My PC and phone at work both display clocks. So I don't need the watch as often.

In fact, I really miss my watch most when I'm driving, as there's no clock in my car. My now-broken watch still keeps time, so it's sitting in my car, but it's not a perfect solution. And then there's times when I can't see a clock easily, like in most retail stores. Pulling out my cell phone is much more hassle than glancing at my wrist.

So now that I can buy a new watch, do I really need to? Do your best to sell me on your opinion, please. And thanks for your indulgence.


You might find some reasons in this thread. (http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=549.0) I personally like the convenience of a quick glace at my wrist--closer than any cell phone or clock (which I have in most every room of the house). And if I have to dig for the cell phone...

Karen

[Jim101]

Good question, with time available on Cel's, PC's, MP3's....the list goes on, why wear a watch? *I work work some guys that don't.....For me I just like them, I have a collection of watches and switch off every 3 days or so, mostly Seiko divers watches, there is just something about a big heavy watch on my wrist that I like, hard to explain..........

Jim

[Gadget Guy]

There is still a great need for my watch. I strap mine to my day bag! :laugh: I haven't worn a watch in 10 years and I probably never will for the reasons mentioned above. A watch is something people feel they have to wear and to me it isn't necessary. I still like quality watches, but I only wear them on special occasions. If you like wearing a watch then by all means do it, but if you don't, give yourself the freedom of being watchless...


GG

[In_Flux]

Well, a watch will still work when there's no power and/or your cell phone and PDA run out of juice.

I'm sure a lot of people also wear them because they look nice...

[Gadget Guy]

That is a very good point. I guess they are almost a necessity in the business world! My dream watch would be the Omega Seamaster. :smitten:

GG

[Bobby D]

I've just bought my first new watch in about 5 years. Been using my phone, but all too often find myself looking around for the time when I'm without it (as much as possible).

The watch you wear can say alot about you. That's why I guess most businessmen, sport stars, high-rollers etc. will wear an expensive model, even if they never read the time off it.

As a pure tool, it's easy to substitute a wristwatch. But for me the pleasure of ownership and statement is a factor. My new watch only cost me $100, but I bet I'm one of only a handful in the UK wearing one!

Bob.

[Xochi]

I really wish I'd never got a cell phone. It's expensive , a leash, fragile, a pain in the a** to carry and now everyone expects to be able to get in touch with everyone else ALL the damn time. They even want to build cell phone towers in wilderness areas and national parks. Technology suckers you in on the front end then stiffs it to you lubeless in the back end.* I think I'm gonna start a movement called "Happily doing without...."

Wear a watch because you can sever the leash with your cell phone and still know what time it is.*

[Lee1959]

I wear a watch, because I like wearing a watch, have since I was a kid. I always have my watch, and I do not always have my cell phone, I tend to "forget" it sometimes, especially when I do not want to have anyone get in touch with me, or I am simply out about in the yard. A watch is easier to look at than pulling out a cell phone, my watch always has an elapsed time bezel which I use a lot. There are lots of reasons I guess.

[Co_Outdoorsman]

I wear a watch simply to know what time it is... ;D

Actually I wear a watch because I work in the propane industry as a service tech and when putting a system into service I have several tests that are required and they are all timed tests... So a watch is essential.



My dream watch would be the Omega Seamaster. :smitten:

GG


Oh yeah! Someday !

:smitten::smitten::smitten::smitten::smitten::smit ten::smitten::smitten:

[Co_Outdoorsman]

oooops...

[unterhund]

Thanks to all for the commentary. I've decided for now to forego the watch. Everything I'd use it for is already covered one way or another. But I'm keeping my options open for the future, if I decide I really want the convenience.

[Lunal_Tic]

What you need is one of those SAKs with a built in watch. ;D

-LT

[0dBm]

A watch is the VERY first EDC item that I have ever worn or carried. It is also the very first item that I put on in the morning and in the evening after I shower. I do not take it off when going to bed at night.

With clocks in abundance around and a cell phone on my belt for almost 18 hours daily, I still look at my watch first because it is the fastest method to determine the time.

[copykat]

Just like a man bag.
It's man Jewelry.
well, not for everybody probably.
I swore off watches years ago but have recently started wanting one again.
Initially for swim timing then for the Jewlery factor thanks to the watch thread.
Thanks a lot!

[notdos]

For me its more a style thing than a timekeeping thing,,,as you said,,,there are clocks everywhere.

P :)

[Dill]

I have a Waltham's I got cheep. It is not bad looking and it has the fetchers I like. It tells me the time and it is wind up.

A watch is a tool. I have mine on a clip made for wearing on a belt loop.

I did not want a watch that makes more of a statement then, I know the time.

My Brother just got a $250.00 watch he had to send me a picture of. Im glad he has a watch he likes. He bought his to make a statement. I sent him a picture of my still in the box Simpsons Mc Donalds watch and stated that mine told the time too. And all it cost me was one happy meal.

My Waltham's make the same statement as his watch does. It states the time!

I remember when, as a kid, getting a watch ment you were growing up. You could be trusted with a time piece. and it made this statement to all your friends.

I must be getting old and the fact Mc Donalds and Burger King at one time gave watches away, has changed my thoughs about watches.

Now they are tools for telling time.

I must be getting old.

Don

[hanzo]

Aloha unterhund,

If you care to PM me your address, I will gladly send you a watch. If you don't mind a second hand one.

[hatchetjack]

I wear a watch because I can't see the time on my cell phone and I don't always have the phone with me anyway plus I don't carry any other electronic gadgets.

I'm pretty old school in spite of the fact I've worked in the high tech industry for almost 30 years. I go back to the days of the Apple II. Some of my circuit board layouts are in it.

A little off the topic, but why do the survivors of "Lost" still wear watches? Where do they have to be at any given time?

Hatchet-

[Buffalohump]

Man, Lost has got more holes in it than Swiss cheese...

I'm a little behind the times so maybe this is revealed later on but...

Where did Locke pick up all his survival skills?

The dude is more woods savvy than Tom Brown Jr and he's a box company salesman or something back in the world.

I'm halfway through the second half of the first season - I hope that they make some sense of it eventually.

It's pretty entertaining though, I must say ;)

[dyyys1]

I wear a watch for convenience, reliablility, and punctuality. Convenience because a watch is the easiest way to tell time unless you are on the computer. Reliability because you always have a watch, while you usually have clocks around you. Many of the things we carry are there not because we always need them, but because we might need them. Punctuality because I have a strong tendancy to be late to places. With a watch I can keep a constant eye on the time and I am late less often. I also like the looks of a watch.

[Codeman]

For me, it's part habit, part convenience. I can see the time as quicker, or quicker, with a wrist watch than any other device. For vanity, too, since I do like to wear a nice watch.

[Brangdon]

Where did Locke pick up all his survival skills?
In s1ep4 "Walkabout" he is shown planning a trip to the Australian outback, so he may have done research for that. He's also seen playing wargames. I reckon he was an armchair survivalist without much practical experience until he arrived at the island.

[Crocodilo]

Watches are fundamental to know three things:

1. what time is it.
2. how much time left befor event x
3. how much time elapsed since event y

I myself cannot live without a watch in my wrist. I may do without a cronograph, but the seconds hand is definetely a must. All other functions available are just a specific "nice to have".

[0dBm]

So now that I can buy a new watch, do I really need to? Do your best to sell me on your opinion, please. And thanks for your indulgence.


Because you posted abou this, you have already given yourself a reason to buy. Don't ignore the urge. Let us know what you buy. ;D

[Stutoffee]

Treat yourself to a good watch! As other EDC-ers have said, IF youre happy being watchless, good for you. Personally, I HATE not knowing what time it is, even on holiday, & I rarely take my watch off. I bought my dream watch about 7 years ago & it STILL looks like new. My choice, the Omega Seamaster.