A while ago, I realised that in the past year or two, I've neglected to wear my watches in favour of carrying my mobile phone around. My mobile phone displays the time on it, so I found wearing watches to be redundant. I have about a dozen different watches as 'fashion accessories' or objects with sentimental meaning with an engraving. I like my watches, but I just do not get around to wearing them or find them necessary.
After speaking to someone about this, I realised that they felt the same way. They use their mobile phone to see the time. In fact, I look at the wrists of many people to discover that they are watch-free.
After a quick browse online, I discover that others have also noted a downward trend on watch-wearing. Irvine, Martha quotes studies in her article that only about 1 out of 10 teens wear a watch every day, and the amount of money spent on watches in 2006 has decreased by 17% in five years (1). However, Hunter states that watches will not go out of style because they are a fashion/status symbol and because of their simplicity (It is easier to look at one's wrist instead of pulling the phone out of a pocket or handbag and pressing a button to see the time.) (2).
In my quick browsing around the internet, I also discover several websites for 'wrist watch mobile phone' hybrids. Perhaps this is the future?
(2) Hunter, Arthur. Are watches obsolete in the digital era? http://www.media-cn.com/are-watches-obsolete-in-the-digital-era.html [October 18, 2010].
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