Why you might still need a watch
Watches had, for the longest time, been considered as tools for use in our daily lives. The ability to check the time by simply glancing at your wrist made life easier for everyone.
With time, however, they became less of a tool, and more of an accessory, bordering on jewellery. This transition from tool to luxury item brought with it a few drawbacks. Firstly, like jewellery, things go out of fashion. And secondly, just like any tool, the watch eventually became replaced with something more efficient.
Enter the era of smartphones.
While wrist watches struggled to remain relevant in a time of technological marvel by going digital; cell phones evolved into smartphones, making space for itself in billions of pockets.
The study of horology better narrates the topic, but the overall result is the same, and best put by the question, '' Why do I need a watch when I can just check the time on my phone?''
In all fairness, the query is legitimate bordering on rhetorical. Spending money on a single-function device like a watch, when a multi-function one is readily available seems almost redundant.
Well, I'd like to put things into perspective for anyone reading. Cheap fashion watches aside, there is a whole variety of quality watches out there for consumers. Ranging from fashion to luxury, analogue to digital, quartz to automatic, and so forth. Each category brings with it something more for the wearer than just the act of being an accessory or a tool.
You don't have to get into the whole arena of watch collecting enthusiasts to see that buying a watch gives more than just the end product you slap on your wrist. Watches have history, craftsmanship and functionality other than timekeeping.
The crew of Apollo 13 found themselves in a dire situation, stuck in space with failing equipment. With only the help of an Omega Speedmaster's chronograph they were able to accurately time their thrusters to return back to earth safely. The Omega in question later became known as the ''Moonwatch''.
It doesn't need to be as drastic as being stuck in outer space with only a watch to save your entire crew. The simple act of wearing a wristwatch gives you a look of sophistication, while also stopping you from being the person always pulling his phone out to check the time.
With the popularisation of smart watches, now is a better time than any to get back into the habit of wearing a watch. Whether it's a cheap knockoff you throw away after 2 months, or a very expensive one you want to wear forever, there's enough variety out there for you to find just the perfect one for you.
And, at the end of the day, when your smartphone drains out of charge after a day of heavy use, your watches battery or power reserve will prove to be much more of a faithful companion.
Aaqib loves petting doggos. Send hims pictures of your ''good boys'' at [email protected]
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