# Do you wear a wrist watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582 "2019-06-15T21:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/41 "2019-06-16T11:58:47Z")
Just flat out never liked wearing a wristwatch. So I’ve been a “pocket watch” person. Started with real pocket watches but they never seemed to last. So I would just buy a cheapo ~$12 Timex wristwatch and keep it in my pocket. For some reason these would last remarkably long. The current one has to be over 20 years old. The amortized cost, taking into account buying battery multi-packs, is remarkably low. I am slowly starting to use the cell phone for time but since it’s not often on me, it’s not going to be a major habit. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/42 "2019-06-16T12:10:45Z")
I’ve worn a watch virtually all my life. I like being prompt and I like knowing what time it is. I prefer an analog display because the size of the “pie wedge” gives me a visual of how much time I have or have left. A digital readout doesn’t do that. In fact, sometimes in my head I have to convert the digital version of the time to a pie wedge version. (Between 10:00 and 10:05 is a sliver of pie, but between 10:00 and 10:20–that’s a good-sized piece of pie). However, a few years ago, I got to where I could no longer easily read the teeny date window on my watch. So I switched to a FitBit Charge 2, because one of the faces you can choose shows the time, the date, and the day of the week like the teeny window on my old watch. The time is in digital format, but oh well. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/43 "2019-06-16T13:00:20Z")
I’m left handed and when I was a kid, my mother struggled with my seeming inability to understand right from left. One day she put a watch on my left arm and said THAT IS YOUR LEFT! Habit now ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/44 "2019-06-16T13:16:05Z")
I’m 61. Can anyone match this claim? I’ve had the same watch on my left wrist for 23 years now. It’s been there 24/7/365, I _never_ remove it. It is there when I’m in the shower, in bed, hell it wasn’t removed when I’ve had surgery. Original band. It is a Rolex. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/45 "2019-06-16T13:37:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’m 61. Can anyone match this claim? I’ve had the same watch on my left wrist for 23 years now. It’s been there 24/7/365, I _never_ remove it. It is there when I’m in the shower, in bed, **hell it wasn’t removed when I’ve had surgery.** Original band. It is a Rolex. > > Anyone? How the _hell_ did you [del]manage that[/del] pull that off? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/46 "2019-06-16T13:40:12Z")
Late 50s here. Yes, I wear a Timex Expedition. I’ve worn some kind of wrist watch since I was about 13, and just don’t feel right if I’m not wearing one when I go out. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/47 "2019-06-16T14:32:49Z")
I stopped wearing one regularly about 3-4 years ago after a comment from someone at work. I don’t really miss it and just rely on my smart phone (I configured it to show an analog watch when in locked-mode). My trusty Timex is still around but has not been worn in a long time. I do wear a cheap Casio sports watch for running as it is more convenient during that activity compared to the phone. I also got rid of my clock-radio at my bedside around the same time, and just prop-up my phone where I can see the clock. I am just over 50 yo. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/48 "2019-06-16T14:44:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > How the _hell_ did you [del]manage that[/del] pull that off? It’s a tattoo ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/49 "2019-06-16T14:49:31Z")
I’m 52 and I haven’t worn a watch regularly in years. Before I retired from the National Guard I would wear one during training because it would often be where there was lousy service or during activities it wouldn’t be prudent to have my phone during. I currently own three watches. I own them for their looks and wear them more as jewelry than a time piece for special occasions. I don’t know specifically when I stopped wearing a watch day to day. It just sort of happened. I don’t miss it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/50 "2019-06-16T15:36:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > It’s a tattoo How often is the time correct? mmm ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/51 "2019-06-16T15:38:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > How often is the time correct? > mmm Twice a day. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/52 "2019-06-16T15:42:34Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > How often is the time correct? > mmm 😃 4:20 am and 4:20 pm. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/53 "2019-06-16T16:00:17Z")
I probably wore a watch everyday from anger 12 to 40. (Approx). Haven’t wore one in years. Just don’t have a need or desire. When my watch quit one day, I just never got it replaced or fixed. At work I’m in front of a computer with a clock. My car has a clock. And I’m always within reach of my phone. Plus, I can ask Alexa what the time is. I do understand people who like watches, find them convenient, and/or like to accessorize. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/54 "2019-06-16T16:07:45Z")
57 Galaxy smart watch is my normal day to day watch. A very nice limited edition Citizen gold watch for formal occasions and two cheap black rubber Casio watches for yard work and informal things (one analog, one digital). Also a fun wood watch for I guess “dress causal” kind of things. I have a few others but they aren’t in my normal rotation. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/55 "2019-06-16T16:08:01Z")
This should have been a poll 🙂 I wear a watch. I’ve worn one since I was late for class for being unable to read the clock. (The same incident sent me to the eye doctor for the first time too.) I don’t want to spend all the time (hah) taking my cell phone out to see what time it is. I use an alarm clock too. A former coworker of mine lost his job for not doing that. Not directly, of course. He used a smartphone for his clock, and did not have a landline. So one day he forgot to charge it. He woke up so late that getting to work was pointless, and he couldn’t even call to let us know because that was his only phone and he had to charge it first. He showed up the next day and explained everything, but the workers and boss were cold to him, so he quit. I wouldn’t want to live without a safety net, and see no reason not to use both types of alarms. An alarm clock is cheap, and constantly plugged in. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/56 "2019-06-16T16:21:57Z")
66 YO and I’ve worn the same model Seiko for over 20 years. (I’m shocked I can still get them. Somebody apparently has a stockroom full of them somewhere.) Looking at my cell is way too obvious and cumbersome when I need to check the time. BTW, the only jewelry I’ve ever worn is a wedding band and my watch (if you consider a watch to be jewelry). No chains or other rings. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/57 "2019-06-17T05:41:40Z")
I’m 58 and have never been able to wear a watch, ring, bracelet, chain or any sort of jewelry. I can barely stand having temporary wristbands on at concerts, and am overjoyed to be able to finally take them off. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/58 "2019-06-17T05:58:54Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I’m 58 and have never been able to wear a watch, ring, bracelet, chain or any sort of jewelry. I can barely stand having temporary wristbands on at concerts, and am overjoyed to be able to finally take them off. You probably died in handcuffs in a previous life. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/59 "2019-06-17T09:15:18Z")
I wear a cheap one I got from a department store. We aren’t allowed phones at work, and not everywhere has a clock. Co-workers also often ask me the time. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582/60 "2019-06-17T15:12:38Z")
I have a collection of watches, include three that are travel souvenirs that show day of week spelled in French, Italian, and Arabic. I have an Invicta chronograph with left-handed buttons. I have a Rolex that was my dad’s that costs more to maintain than it would cost to buy a good watch. I have a Jeopardy watch that plays the tune from Final Jeopardy. But now my daily driver is a Huawei smart watch that I love. I had never heard of them when I bought it, just before they starting making the headlines. I’m 62 and I also have a subscription to a paper newspaper, and have no tattoos or piercings. I do not yet tell kids to get off my lawn. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I only wear an analog wristwatch in movie theaters and on-board airline flights. Both are places where I can’t pull out my phone to check the time. I have two words for you: Airplane mode. > [@zoid](#): > > Plus I don’t like pulling out a phone in a meeting or at dinner - a quick glance at the wrist is much more discreet For real discretion, if you want to know the time look at someone else’s watch. Everybody notices if you look at your own (e.g., George H.W. Bush during debate). > [@DummyGladHands](#): > > I’m left handed and when I was a kid, my mother struggled with my seeming inability to understand right from left. One day she put a watch on my left arm and said THAT IS YOUR LEFT! > Habit now I am left-handed and therefore wear watches on my _ **right** _ wrist. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wrist-watch/835582.md?page=4)