Are watches redundant?

Just had a quick look at the "What watch do you wear?" thread and I can't help but wonder what the point of having a watch is? I mean in this day and age who the heck doesn't have a mobile phone in their pocket which of course have clocks.

In the last 10+ years I'm struggling to think of a situation where I would specifically need a timepiece strapped to my wrist. 99% of the time my phone will suffice, and the other 1% I'm within viewing distance of a clock of some kind (or don't need to be). So why bother with a watch?

When you understand why people buy separate hi-fi components rather than a midi system, you'll understand why people buy a watch and a phone.
 
Depends, redundant as a timekeeping device but they can still be useful as a fashion accessory if your too manly for bracelets and still want to show off your bling.
 
If he OP had his way then that scene with Christopher Walken in the film Pulp Fiction would have had an entirely different slant, and probably an altogether more painful experience for Christopher Walken, especially if it had been a Samsung Galaxy S3. It would almost certainly have voided the warranty as well.

In terms of frequency, my most used time piece is the bottom right corner of my monitor.
 
I still wear a watch because.
It's more convenient to check the time on.
It's less likely to get lost than a phone.
It doesn't run out of charge at inconvenient times.

Mind you, I'm not a great mobile phone person, I just use mine for *gasp* making calls.
 
Since I started my new job earlier in the year, I spend most of Monday mornings packaging watches that have sold over the weekend. This is just one small shop with a small scale website, how busy places like The Watch Hut and other major retailers must be it'd be hard to imagine.

So no, watches aren't redundant, much like conversation isn't a thing of the past because of social networks.
 
Nothing says "Hey I'm a real man" more than having an expensive watch on your left wrist.
There will never be a time where I have to rely on my phone for the time.

Thinking of going for a Citizen at the end of the month.
 
Due to years of sitting at a computer day in day out with the time just in front of me, I have become skilled in working out (guessing) the time when I am away from the computer to within a couple of minutes. But I always check my phone to make sure when asked, then go "oh yeah" when I get it right.

I need to get out more.
 
Nothing says "Hey I'm a real man" more than having an expensive watch on your left wrist.
There will never be a time where I have to rely on my phone for the time.

Thinking of going for a Citizen at the end of the month.
So you're not going for the "Hey I'm a real man" status then? Considering Citizen watches are not expensive* :p

*Not the most expensive available
 
I have become skilled in working out (guessing) the time when I am away from the computer to within a couple of minutes.

This would be an idea for a Brian Cox style mock experiment. Arrange one day where everyone removes any means of telling the time, including sun dials etc, and get them to post in a thread the exact moment when they feel it is 11am or some other non descript time. Would be interesting to see what the spread would be.
 
So you're not going for the "Hey I'm a real man" status then? Considering Citizen watches are not expensive* :p

*Not the most expensive available

Ha! I seen your ninja edit (well, dying ninja... :D)

£339 is damn expensive for me, what kind of fancy jewls are you wearing mrs! :o
 
Much prefer a watch myself as a phone isnt always appropriate at work for me. Sometimes i'm not even allowed to bring it into the building depending where i am. I do understand why people dont use them now though. As jewellery will never be obsolete neither will a watch.
 
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Been wearing watches for over 15 years, Now if i dont have a watch, feel Naked in a way ( Not Literally!!)

Would never stop wearing a watch, force of habit!!
 
I would consider them more of a jewellery item, I don't personally own a really nice one but I have every intention of purchasing a Tag Carrera.

My best friend is in possession of a Hublot Ayrton Senna Ltd Edition which he has only wore once, the watch itself is worth £20,000.00 so I don't blame him for having it locked up.
 
Here we go again.

What's quicker and easier? Take a phone out of a pocket, press a button to light up the screen or simply tilt your wrist?

No, watches will not become redundant any time soon. Apart from which, they're an item of jewellery as well as serving a purpose. People wear them because they like them.

I don't think I've ever used my phone to tell the time, I glance at my watch.

Yup, I still wear it, wrist fels naked without it.
 
My Omega is reserved for occasion wearing, so weddings, parties, special nights out with the wife etc etc.

I've also taken to wearing shirt sleeve garters/bands to further increase my superiority over my friends :p They remind me of old west gunslingers and bar keeps.
 
I have always worn a watch and will always wear one. I feel naked without it.
I don't always have my phone with me and work at events where I am simply not allowed to look at my phone. Plus my phone runs out of charge.
My watch is simply part of me that I prefer not to be without and I don't see that changing.
 
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