# Not wearing a watch because it is supposedly replaced by phone/other device - I do not get it. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824 "2010-10-20T21:40:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/1 "2010-10-20T21:40:39Z")
I dimly recollect people on this board referring to less people wearing watches, and [this article in this month’s (next month’s, actually) _The Atlantic_](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/11/a-new-wrinkle-in-time/8249/) reminds me of that. Supposedly wearing wristwatches is going out of fashion, as people can look up the time on their phone/iPod/whatever. I just don’t get it. I wear a wristwatch and almost always carry a smartphone (which in fact I use as my alarm clock), and also very often my iPod. It would never occur to me to stop wearing the watch because it is way easier to consult the watch when I only have one hand free (or even when I have got zero hands free), and/or when I am in a hurry. When I walk to the platform of the 13:37 train with a bag in each hand a quick glance at my wrist is enough to determine if it is 13:35:05 and I can take it easy, or 13:36:32 and I need to run flat out, leaving bowled over seniors and trampled small children in my wake. Similar considerations apply to meetings, shop closing hours, etc. - also a watch is much easier to waterproof, sweatproof, shockproof etc. so you can wear a suitable, relatively inexpensive watch really all the time. There is just one occasional advantage of a phone/iThingy: you can pretend to use it for one of its other functions while surreptitiously looking at the time when being droned to by someone you don’t want to offend by looking at your watch. On the other hand, if you _want_ to pointedly look at your watch, a phone is a poor replacement. I imagine most people in industrialized countries are much in the same case as I. So, am I out of touch with reality, or is that article’s author? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/2 "2010-10-20T21:43:34Z")
You’re not out of touch, exactly, but I think you’re missing a point: a watch is yet another thing I need to remember to grab in the morning. Why bother, when I’ve already got a device (my phone) that I take with me everywhere I go? I can do without a watch, but I can’t do without my phone. So if I want to minimize the stuff I’m carrying, the watch goes. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/3 "2010-10-20T21:43:50Z")
Reality is that we have such a plethora of options available to us that we can use whatever works best for us. Just because the statistical trends indicate that wristwatch use is on the decline doesn’t mean they’re not still in use. I don’t have a watch any more, and I don’t feel I’ve ever suffered for it. I’ve never yet been in a position where I needed to know the time and I was unable to check my phone and there were no clocks on displays anywhere. But I certainly wouldn’t say watches are unnecessary for everyone now. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/4 "2010-10-20T21:48:35Z")
I never much liked wearing a watch. So once I started carrying a cell phone I just stopped wearing the watch. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/5 "2010-10-20T21:51:53Z")
Being from Switzerland, I would be a traitor to my country if I didn’t wear a Swiss watch on my wrist at all times. However, > [@Mops](#): > > When I walk to the platform of the 13:37 train with a bag in each hand a quick glance at my wrist is enough to determine if it is 13:35:05 and I can take it easy, or 13:36:32 and I need to run flat out, leaving bowled over seniors and trampled small children in my wake. In a case like this, I am more likely to check my cell phone, just because the cell phone is constantly having its clock adjusted and so it will be more accurate (down to the minute) than my wristwatch (my wristwatch has an analog display.) I do agree however that for many people the cell phone means that you don’t **need** the wristwatch as much, and there must be more people living without one. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/6 "2010-10-20T22:01:30Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > … accurate (down to the minute) … I suppose what I don’t get is why for a lot of people this is not an obvious contradiction in terms. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/7 "2010-10-20T22:02:01Z")
For me its also that the smart phone is reminding me about most of the time sensitive needs as well. I dont need to be checking my watch as a result, I know Ill get a prompt instead. I also dont have many ‘to the minute’ issues in my life like the train issue described. For those rare ones Id get my phone out. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/8 "2010-10-20T22:04:41Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > I suppose what I don’t get is why for a lot of people this is not an obvious contradiction in terms. I’m not sure what you mean. If I want to know if it’s 16:37 rather than 16:38, my cell phone, with a digital display, will give me the information more accurately than what time I can read off my analog watch face. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/9 "2010-10-20T22:14:28Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > I’m not sure what you mean. If I want to know if it’s 16:37 rather than 16:38, my cell phone, with a digital display, will give me the information more accurately than what time I can read off my analog watch face. I suspect he means that because it’s not down to the second, it’s not accurate enough. And the answer is that for the most part, people don’t need to measure their lives in seconds. Those that do use the tools they need, those that don’t simplify where possible. The OP’s life is not my life is not **Arnold** ’s life. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/10 "2010-10-20T22:19:24Z")
It depends how obsessive you are about checking the time. If you’re some kind of high-powered business cat who needs to make every minute of the day count then you might still be well served by a watch. But if you’re like me, knowing what time it is just doesn’t matter enough to warrant having a whole separate piece of jewelery dedicated to that function. Plus I spend most of the day in front of the computer where I can easily see the time. So a watch would be pretty damn pointless from my perspective. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/11 "2010-10-20T22:23:55Z")
I prefer to carry my phone in my bag, so having a wristwatch is more convenient for me. I’ve worn one for so long that I feel naked when I don’t have it. But regardless of its actual utility, I don’t think it’ll die out completely. It’s just going to be more of a decorative statement, like a necktie. I just think there’s something really cool about an automatic watch movement. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/12 "2010-10-20T23:02:17Z")
I lost my watch a couple of years ago. Buying a new one just didn’t seem worth the expense. If someone were to buy me a nice watch, I’d probably wear it, but until then my smartphone does the job well enough. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/13 "2010-10-20T23:05:02Z")
I was a trend setter? Haven’t worn one for many years. Never liked them - tried a pocket watch for a while, but eventually stopped that as well. I’ve got a clock on my phone, computer, car - if those don’t keep me on time, nothing will. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/14 "2010-10-20T23:13:29Z")
I stopped wearing a watch when I retired some seven (or was it eight?) years ago. Since then I’ve used my phone (a series of spectacularly dumb ones until a couple of months ago when I switched to a smartphone) to find out what time it was. And I haven’t once missed that little wristband thingie. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/15 "2010-10-20T23:42:59Z")
> [@](#): > > Supposedly wearing wristwatches is going out of fashion, as people can look up the time on their phone/iPod/whatever. > > I just don’t get it. I have a device which can tell me the time at a glance. I have no need to spend additional money on another device which can _only_ tell me the time. for me, a watch would be nothing more than jewelry, and thus a waste of money. > [@](#): > > When I walk to the platform of the 13:37 train with a bag in each hand a quick glance at my wrist is enough to determine if it is 13:35:05 and I can take it easy, or 13:36:32 and I need to run flat out, leaving bowled over seniors and trampled small children in my > wake. no clocks in the train station? How do you know your watch is correct vs. their timing? > [@](#): > > So, am I out of touch with reality, or is that article’s author? no, you’re just unable to see that others have different priorities? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/16 "2010-10-20T23:47:14Z")
I never really liked wearing a watch to begin with. I hate the feeling of strapping something on, and plus I have so many cute bracelets I’d rather wear. Having a cell phone just makes it that much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/17 "2010-10-20T23:52:19Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I suspect he means that because it’s not down to the second, it’s not accurate enough. That would a precision problem, and not an accuracy problem, though. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/18 "2010-10-20T23:56:58Z")
I have yet to run across a watch that did _not_ die on me within two weeks of my beginning to wear it. Cheap ones, expensive ones, any watch worn in contact with my skin and possessing a battery ceased to function within two weeks. I can wear wind-up only watches fine, but if it had a battery, it went to the Big Watch Factory In The Sky pretty promptly. Something about me kills watches dead. I do not have this problem with cell phones. Therefore, I use my cell phone as a watch. Before I had a cell phone, I relied on car clocks, wall clocks and bank reader boards. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/19 "2010-10-21T00:29:43Z")
The watch is just one more thing, and it’s also a vulnerable one, as it is attached to the end of my arm, which is a pretty busy place to operate electronics. Only trouble is that cell phones don’t have seconds display - at least, the last few times I’ve gone to Verizon to get new one, none did. So I have to keep watches around for that. But not on me every day. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/20 "2010-10-21T00:38:44Z")
I wear a wrist watch, partly because I don’t always bother to take my phone everywhere. It’s interesting that it’s just a given now that everyone always has a mobile / cell with them at all times. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824.md?page=2)