Bye Bye, Wrist Watch

I had no idea I was so cutting edge. In the early 1990s the strap on my wristwatch broke, and I didn't bother to replace it -- after all, I was surrounded by clocks, both analog and digital, no matter where I went. I haven't worn a watch since.

Apparently other people are just now starting to realize the same thing: a report titled Watches and Clocks in the U.S. (no, really!) found that as more people carry cell phones and PDAs, there's no need for them to wear a watch unless it's for fashion. The upshot is that watch makers are switching more toward selling watches as luxury items than necessities.

So, yeah, I guess I'm pretty forward-thinking. But not forward-thinking enough: In this article, graphic designer Parker Weintz points out another advantage to going watch-free: "Plus, if I see a chick I like on the street, I can ask her the time (with no watch on his wrist)."

A fifteen-year head start and I never thought of that. Dude, I'm not worthy.

Comments

Well I don't wear my watch on my wrist, either!

I have my BlackBerry for checking time for me.

Anonymous

August 27, 2006

1:46 PM PT

Hey (didn't mean to spam but...) why is there anonymous instead of my name that I just typed? I typed my name in the name edit box but it's "Anonymous..."

Anonymous

August 27, 2006

1:50 PM PT

Gee have you ever been outdoors. Or are ya strickly a city boy? HAHAHA

Anonymous

August 27, 2006

4:15 PM PT

I still wear a cheap wrist watch. Did not cost me over 20 dollars at the time and I have had it for 7 or 8 years. Just changed the battery once. Keeps time good. Always on my wrist for easy access to get the time. Don't have to reach in pocket and open up a cell phone to check the time. Seems to me that there is nothing better and cheaper for telling time than this. As the old saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Anonymous

August 28, 2006

2:04 AM PT

ACtually, when I'm in the country and free from the distractions of the urban landscape, I compute the time to within five minutes of accuracy by observing the sun's position and the length of shadows.

Or, you know, I just guess.

Anonymous

August 29, 2006

6:09 AM PT

Having the time easily seen through your wrist watch is better than, taking your cellphone out from your pocket or bag just to see the time.

Anonymous

August 30, 2006

3:13 AM PT

But is the time savings worth it? It takes, what, two seconds to take a phone out of your pocket? If wearing a watch on my wrist all the time means I'll save 20 whole seconds per day, I'll ditch the watch.

And when it's just slightly more difficult to look at the time, you begin to realize how often you would otherwise check the time when you don't really need to.

Anonymous

August 30, 2006

7:47 AM PT

Hey Anonymous--er, Anonymous #2: Due to Digital World being inextricably linked to the brand-new PC World site, we're having issues with the name and e-mail address for Digital World commenters. However, it looks like, if you've registered for the PC World forums, your user name will show up here. But rest assured, we're working on it (looks at his watch).

Alan Stafford
PC World/Digital World

AlanStafford

August 30, 2006

9:18 PM PT