# Do you wear a wristwatch? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 22, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503 "2012-03-22T14:58:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/61 "2012-03-23T02:54:34Z")
Mid-40s and nearly always - not in the shower, nor when asleep, nor when working with power tools. I find it instinctive to look at my wrist for the time - and much faster than pulling my phone out and turning it on. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/62 "2012-03-23T12:15:45Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Although I never leave home without my mobile, I wear a watch all the time. I never really understood why anyone would give up their watch when they start carrying a mobile phone. Sure, my phone has the time, and it’s **usually** [sup]1[/sup] accurate. But to get the time I have to (1) pull the phone out of its carrier, (2) unlock the screen, and, if outdoors (3) find a shady spot or otherwise position myself so I can read the screen. If I were female, I might also have to (4) fish around for the phone in a purse. This is ridiculous; it’s worse than the first Pulsar digital watches with which you had to use both hands just to view the time. How is this all not 10 times more difficult than looking at my wrist? > > [sup]1[/sup]Recently, for some unknown reason, my phone went from PDT back to PST for no apparent reason, correcting itself after a day or so. So it’s not always accurate, even. Wow. That’s a massive way to overthink it. Start by not using a carrier 😉 Then, just pull it out of your pocket whilst pressing down the unlock screen button, check screen and slip back in pocket. My hand hardly leaves my side and it is done in seconds. You make it sounds like it requires a military operation. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/63 "2012-03-23T14:12:21Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Wow. That’s a massive way to overthink it. Start by not using a carrier 😉 Then, just pull it out of your pocket whilst pressing down the unlock screen button, check screen and slip back in pocket. My hand hardly leaves my side and it is done in seconds. You make it sounds like it requires a military operation. Compared to a turn of the wrist? It is. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/64 "2012-03-23T14:22:57Z")
My $12 wristwatch is a much more convenient timepiece than my $10 cell phone. There’s a reason most people abandoned pocket watches. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/65 "2012-03-23T14:27:04Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Although I never leave home without my mobile, I wear a watch all the time. I never really understood why anyone would give up their watch when they start carrying a mobile phone. Because I carry a mobile phone anyway, and it’s one less thing to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/66 "2012-03-23T15:06:12Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Compared to a turn of the wrist? It is. 🙂 You first have to grab the sleeve and pull it up. You may even have to remove your coat. Then turn the wrist, hoping that the watch itself hasn’t been pushed round to a place you can’t quite see. Then you have to make sure there isn’t light beaming down from on high like an alien invasion force. Either that or they’re both really, really easy. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/67 "2012-03-23T15:19:31Z")
I collect automatic watches as a hobby and I’m always wearing one of them. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/68 "2012-03-23T15:21:18Z")
> [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > I collect automatic watches as a hobby and I’m always wearing one of them. Am I allowed to ask what a manual watch is and how an automatic one differs from it? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/69 "2012-03-23T16:03:18Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Am I allowed to ask what a manual watch is and how an automatic one differs from it? An automatic watch is self winding using your arm motion. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/70 "2012-03-23T19:23:20Z")
I did when I had a need to tell time. I don’t now, so no. I don’t like using a cellphone for telling time, but I do understand why people do: the inconvenience of having two different things to remember is greater than the inconvenience of having to pull something out of their pocket. I avoided this by not having a cellphone–I couldn’t justify the expense. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/71 "2012-03-23T20:07:44Z")
I wear a pocketwatch instead. Haven’t worn a wristwatch since 1988. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/72 "2012-03-23T20:12:51Z")
I haven’t wore one since my last one died, probably 6 or 7 years ago. Before that, I was a daily watch wearer. Now, of course, I have my phone, an accurate clock in my vehicle, an accurate clock on my computer, laptop, and iPad. It’s never hard to know what the time is. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/73 "2012-03-24T01:11:56Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > An automatic watch is self winding using your arm motion. Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/74 "2012-03-24T04:14:49Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Always. Since I’ll frequently time the pulse or respirations of patients, or the duration of the freeze in cryosurgery, having it on my wrist is far better than having it on another device. > [@WhyNot](#): > > Ditto. This is why for me, too. At least on the pulse and respirations, not the fancy-schmancy cryosurgery bit. Mine is set to 24-hour time, and I’m always amazed when people try to catch a glance at my watch to see the time, and have to ask me, “What’s wrong with your watch? Why does it say 23:45? That’s not a time!” > [@](#): > > I feel like an anxious puppy without his collar when my watch is off. Yep. Something just feels “off” when I don’t have it on. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/75 "2012-03-24T04:46:30Z")
I just turned 51, and I seldom wear a watch. FWIW, I think this is the first time in my life that I have been able to choose the oldest category in a poll. That makes me feel really old. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/76 "2012-03-24T05:07:19Z")
I’m 25. I have a Swiss Army automatic chronograph that I wear pretty much 24/7, except in the shower. It is great. It is much more convenient to simply look at my wrist than dig my phone out of my pocket, press the wake button, check the time, and put it back. Plus, analog displays are much more mentally efficient to read than digital displays - I would never both to wear a digital watch. The chronograph feature is great too, for timing everyday things (like grilling or cooking times). It takes a split second to start the timer on my watch, as opposed to about 20 seconds to start the timer on my phone. Plus, I think the design and engineering that goes into mechanical watches is super cool. Mine has a glass case back so I can see the workings of it when I take it off. I normally do not care about expensive luxury items, but I could definitely see myself paying big money (tens of thousands of dollars) for a really nice watch. Not for something where you’re paying for the brand name or pointless “luxury” materials (what the hell is “rose gold” anyway?), but for some old Swiss guy to assemble it over the course of a month. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/77 "2012-03-24T05:14:11Z")
Forgot to add - in my mind, a beautiful, hand-crafted, well-engineered, intricate mechanical watch is a kind of artwork that far surpasses anything Picasso, Rembrandt, or any other painter ever did. EDIT: Here’s the [back](http://www.alange-soehne.com/sites/lange-web/_common/_images/Datograph/Datograph-Perpetual/06Bildergalerie_410_025_RS.jpg) of my dream watch, at a mere $65,000 or so - a Lange Datograph. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/78 "2012-03-24T05:24:06Z")
Female, 34. Never. I stopped wearing a watch right around the time I graduated from college. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/79 "2012-03-24T20:01:42Z")
Female, 38, I have a few different formal watches that I wear on occasions when checking my phone for the time would be inappropriate, like when I’m doing a wedding, but I’d never wear a watch every day any more. They feel like burdens on my wrist. I also have an upside down watch-on-a-pin that I wear when I’m attending a birth. Opaque gloves (and birth goop) make wristwatches impractical but knowing the time during a birth is kind of important. ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503/80 "2012-03-24T21:02:40Z")
I haven’t worn a watch since about 1964. (my Mickey Mouse watch, which I still have) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wear-a-wristwatch/616503.md?page=5)