# 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:** 19\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/141 "2010-10-23T22:51:22Z")
Well, because there’s fewer things to perceive. Two lines, versus several groups of lines. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/142 "2010-10-23T23:01:55Z")
“Also, it’s easier to gauge rates of change with analogue dials. You can see at a glance if a needle is moving more quickly than before. Not so easy with digits.” Which would probably be very useful for time travel, but Im not seeing the relevance to a clock in normal use. And its not just a case of two angles and lengths, but also using the same circle as a scale with one range being minutes and one being hours, as well as needing to convert for AM or PM. Ie it points to ‘4’ for one hand, and ‘20’ for the other. Im certainly aware myself of more often having to recheck hands on a clock more often than I need to recheck what 9:30AM means, so I find the ‘quicker to read’ argument inherently unconvincing. This might be due to practise effects, but surely even that is an issue to consider now, given how ubiquitous digital displays are? Happy to be convinced other wise but with a cite of some sort rather than ‘it makes sense’ arguments. Otara ---
**Author:** ![falcotron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ab097/32.png) [@falcotron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/falcotron)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/143 "2010-10-24T01:01:27Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Also, it’s easier to gauge rates of change with analogue dials. You can see at a glance if a needle is moving more quickly than before. Not so easy with digits. If a needle on your watch is moving more quickly than before, all that tells you is that it’s time for a new watch… ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/144 "2010-10-24T01:17:47Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > I agree there are many situations where analogue is useful, but I am not convinced this would apply to a clock face. A horizon display is a visual display of what the plane is doing - a clock isnt. An analogue equivalent would be something like closer to light than dark on a display. > > A watch can much more easily be misread as the only major difference between 6:20 and 4:30 is the length of the hands, not to mention the lack of AM/PM. > > So Im dubious time is still being shown in clock face because its easier to read, are there any cites that this is a supported finding? > > Otara The artificial horizon is a bad example. The whole cockpit is filled with analogue dials, altimeter, vertical speed, air speed, engine gauges, and a heap more. Analogue is quicker to get a quick approximate value from as well as direction and rates of change. Digital is much easier to get a precise figure from. This is why most modern aircraft have a dual analogue/digital display for many of the instruments. Obviously direction and rates of changes don’t apply to clocks and watches. Technically If you want to know that it is roughly half past the hour, analogue is a better display, if you want to know that it is 32 minutes past the hour, digital is a better display. In reality it doesn’t make a big enough difference to matter. One other point in favour of analogue watches is that it is trivially easy to enhance the contrast of the hands against the face of the watch which can make them easier to read in low light conditions. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/145 "2010-10-24T05:21:17Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > that’s great and all. If it’s so obvious to you, maybe you can explain to us why you’re right. And no, “I’m right because I think I’m smart” doesn’t count. Actually, I believe it’ll depend on which way your brain processes information better. There are some people for whom analog watches truly are better to understand the time and there are others for whom _digital_ watches are better. For me, it’s analog all the way; my husband is much better with digital. For him, the numbers _are_ the time. If he looks at an analog clock (especially one with no numbers on it, [like this one](http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/art_4985_big.jpg)), it takes him longer to figure out the time, because he has to convert it to numbers. I’m the exact opposite. Time is more understandable in a spatial representation. I can glance at the above watch for a fraction of a second and _know_ what time it is. Honestly, I don’t even need to think about the numbers themselves; it’s purely based on hand placement\*. If I saw a digital watch that said 4:42, I have to take a moment to actually process that into “the time”. To give my classic example: in grade school, the clocks were analog. If I was in a hated class that went from 10:20 to 11:05, I could take a super quick glance at the clock. If the long line was pointing straight down, :(:(:(:(:(. If I glanced later and it was pointed in a NNW angle? :D:D:D:D:D All I needed was to see what direction a line was pointing to see if the class had awhile to go, or if it was almost over. So it’s basically subjective, but the subjectivity is based on which you find easier. - Granted, a watch with no numbers isn’t good enough if you need down-to-the-minute accurate time, but I could tell time on that watch within about a 2-3 minute window. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/146 "2010-10-24T06:52:30Z")
all these are unnecessary tangents. a phone nowadays can be customised to display anything. an analog face with or without numbers, its size, its colour, a digital display, both digital and analog displays, a calendar, alarms, a different template altogether, those train station flip clocks, your photo album, music, camera, a kitchen sink… (really!) if i were to belabour the point i would suggest strapping your phone to your wrist to cover all the practical aspects, as some had already done with their ipods. (op says phone or other devices) unless you climb the highest mountains or dive in the deepest seas, there really is little practical reasons to specifically choose a wrist watch. personal reasons, on the other hand, is perfectly understandable. some might want a _watch_ watch, not a virtual pretend piece. some might want a watch to tell the time, a phone to make or receive calls, a camera to - i should stop here, the little display at the top of my screen says it’s time to go. no need to wait for the calendar alarm to go off to start getting ready. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/147 "2010-10-24T06:59:58Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > if i were to belabour the point i would suggest strapping your phone to your wrist to cover all the practical aspects, as some had already done with their ipods. (op says phone or other devices) One word: [Pip-Boy](http://fallout.bethsoft.com/images/vault/diaries/PipboySketches.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/148 "2010-10-24T07:12:30Z")
oh ya, the [army](http://kotaku.com/5659322/the-united-states-army-is-testing-fallout-pipboys) is testing them! ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/149 "2010-10-24T07:24:22Z")
> [@falcotron](#): > > Why? All of my timepieces are synchronized to either the cell tower or an NTP host, which is far better than I can do manually. > This sounds like you need a better phone. > > My iPhone shows me the time in 24 hours. Synchronizing timepieces every day is a requirement of my job. iPhones are kind of expensive, and I can’t wear one conveniently strapped to my wrist. I hope your head doesn’t explode when I tell you that I also wear a stopwatch on a lanyard when I’m at work. I have the things I have and use them the way I do because that’s what works best for me. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/150 "2010-10-24T12:18:03Z")
> [@Silvorange](#): > > Synchronizing timepieces every day is a requirement of my job. > > iPhones are kind of expensive, and I can’t wear one conveniently strapped to my wrist. I hope your head doesn’t explode when I tell you that I also wear a stopwatch on a lanyard when I’m at work. I have the things I have and use them the way I do because that’s what works best for me. You work as a track coach?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/151 "2010-10-24T13:47:35Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > I agree there are many situations where analogue is useful, but I am not convinced this would apply to a clock face. A horizon display is a visual display of what the plane is doing - a clock isnt. An analogue equivalent would be something like closer to light than dark on a display. > > A watch can much more easily be misread as the only major difference between 6:20 and 4:30 is the length of the hands, not to mention the lack of AM/PM. > > So Im dubious time is still being shown in clock face because its easier to read, are there any cites that this is a supported finding? > > Otara As I said, in real word situations I don’t think this is too noticeable and I wouldn’t suggest that that is a reason that analogues are still made. If I want to know how many minutes and seconds I have to catch my 15:14 train then a digital watch is the fella for the job. knowing it is 15:07:13 is the precision I need. However a quick glance at my analogue gives me an instant feel for whether it has yet gone ten past three. Misreading of an analogue is possible, certainly. The worst designs of “fashion” watches mean that time-reading is a secondary function. However, my aviator watch is based on the classic design that places clarity above all and such misreadings are reduced. Of course the real reason I wear it is because I like having a little engineering work of art on my wrist that tells the time accurately enough, looks and feels nice yet no-one know what it is (and was astonishing value for money) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/152 "2010-10-24T13:55:47Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I have one. It also makes phone calls and surfs the web. Right. Before I got my phone, I had lots of trouble surfing porn with my watch. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![falcotron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ab097/32.png) [@falcotron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/falcotron)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/153 "2010-10-24T19:58:50Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > Right. Before I got my phone, I had lots of trouble surfing porn with my watch. 😉 I remember when I got my first Casio calculator watch. I could type 59009 and just read it upside-down, which is porn enough for a pre-pubescent kid. (Although I had friends who were more excited by 5319009, I always preferred more symmetry to more size.) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/154 "2010-10-24T21:58:27Z")
I hate wrist-watches. I used to carry a pocket watch, until carrying a phone made it obsolete. Come to think of it, I don’t even know where my pocket watch _is_ anymore. (And it ain’t a cheap one.) ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/155 "2010-10-24T22:42:16Z")
Short version : it’s not that phones have replaced my watch, I just never wore any. Never liked wearing wrist watches (or bracelets, bangles, necklaces nor rings for that matter). Not that it ever became an issue : back in school, hours could be ascertained by either a) looking at the big classroom wall clock that moves soooo slow\*, b) rings of the bell or c) watching other students, who do have the time. My never wearing a watch used to drive my parents bonkers though, for some reason. I suppose they figured I’d rely on one when I was a working adult and I should get used to them. They kept buying me new ones, even a few pocket or clip-on ones. I think I still have a bowl full of them somewhere at their place. By the time I was out of uni, not only did I always have a phone on me \*and \*the phone number of the voice clock memorized if ever I’m in doubt about the exactitude of the displayed time ; but I was hardly ever far from a computer anyway. - except during tough exams. Then I swear the supervisor(s) kept setting it forward when nobody was looking 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/156 "2010-10-25T09:44:12Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > A thought that came to me is that most people who use the phone as their timepiece have a strong dislike of the physical sensation of wearing a wristwatch. Perhaps the same way some dislike polyester or tags on their shirt collars or neckties. The degree of irritation at these sensations can certaily contribute to how strongly people feel about watches. It would be interesting to see if the dopers who indicated a dislike for the sensation of a wristwatch also dislike these other irritants. I’d bet there’s a high correlation. Piece of anecdata the one, I sure do. I can’t wear most necklaces (curiously enough I have a pair of chokers I can wear, as they are both tight enough to not move around and loose enough to, well, not choke me); cut off polyester labels as soon as the new piece of clothing has been washed once; can’t wear scarfs or clothing with tight, high necks. While properly-sized watches and bracelets didn’t use to bother me until I started working in labs (where I had to take them off), the rest has been so “since forever”. I have pictures as a little kid where the tight-necked shirt I’m wearing has clearly had its neck pulled completely out of size and shape. I also have a problem with boots, but that’s not so much a matter of dislike (I do like them) as that it’s difficult to find tight ones which fit both my tiny feet and my not-so-tiny calves. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/157 "2010-10-25T10:25:38Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > A thought that came to me is that most people who use the phone as their timepiece have a strong dislike of the physical sensation of wearing a wristwatch. Perhaps the same way some dislike polyester or tags on their shirt collars or neckties. The degree of irritation at these sensations can certaily contribute to how strongly people feel about watches. It would be interesting to see if the dopers who indicated a dislike for the sensation of a wristwatch also dislike these other irritants. I’d bet there’s a high correlation. Modestly close in my case 🙂 I didn’t get on with leather or plastic straps and metal straps made mincemeat of my shirt cuffs. I use a pocket-watch, which is attached by an albert to my belt, so that also satisfies the ‘one less thing in the morning’ suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/158 "2010-10-25T10:45:47Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > See, I think of it as the opposite. **The watch is small, compact, and ATTACHED TO ME so it’s quite a bit harder to forget (in fact, I wear it 24 hours a day and only take it off for showering etc.).** Whereas a phone requires a purse or clothing with pockets. . Ditto. My watch is an attractive but simple Fossil diver’s watch and I wear it while swimming my daily laps (but do take it off for the shower.) > [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > How is this thread two pages long? If your only reason for wearing a watch was for the time, then you don’t need one anymore, cool. It’s not really about just telling time for everybody though. Cheap quartz watches have long surpassed mechanical movements in accuracy, but the latter is still widely in use because people like having them anyway. Personally, I think watches look great and potentially very classy (unless it’s a Panerai), and I’m genuinely surprised by the comments about watches being antiquated and obsolete, because I would say 75% of the people I see during the day are wearing them, young and old alike. > > **At the very least I don’t piss off the entire movie theater by lighting up my phone’s screen to check the tim** e. A wry nod of recognition to what I’ve bolded. I do think at least people are beginning to sort of forget about watch use. I happen to _not_ own a cellphone. Recently I was in another city with my husband and son. We wanted to go our separate ways for an hour, and then meet up at a specified location. “But how will you know what time it is?” asked my husband. Both he and our son have cellphones. I held up my wrist. “Oh yeah.” ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-wearing-a-watch-because-it-is-supposedly-replaced-by-phone-other-device-i-do-not-get-it/557824/159 "2010-10-27T06:49:37Z")
I just hate the feeling of any jewelry on my skin - watches, rings, necklaces etc. I only wear a watch when I have to (i.e. when doing sports that require it). [Previous 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=7)