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Alternative Form Factors: Non-Wrist-Based Watches
Time on a loop
Designed for "people who live or work in environments where they don't want something on their wrist [but] still want immediate access to the time," these Clip Watches are by the Ohio-based Dakota Watch Company.
They might not appeal to office dwellers, but for someone working in manufacturing, where wearing a wristwatch might be a safety no-no, they make sense. For that environment, the Cage Clip line comes with a protective aluminum cage that can be screwed on.
I think they could have done a better job with the cage, which to my eye greatly reduces legibility, but we live in the era of branding.
Their Ana Digi Miniclip model is aimed at outdoorsfolk and contains a compass.
There's also this digital Digiclip version.
As for where on the body they're meant to be worn, I suppose a belt loop. The orientation of the watch face makes sense, in that you'd be grabbing the object and flipping it towards you to read the time.
It might be neat if you could rotate the face to choose your own orientation, so that in a base camp setting it could serve as a tiny wall clock. But I suppose that would add a level of manufacturing complexity that would drive the cost up.
Speaking of cost, the Cage Clip models run $75; the Digiclip, $55; and the Ana Digi Miniclip is $70.
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Not even a mention of nurses' watches, which have been around for decades?
I agree Jim. Interestingly, it seems most nurses watches sold today are fitted with a silicone rubber fob with very curved edges - suggesting that they are easier to clean and sterilise than the classic metal-fobbed version you've kindly supplied a picture of.
I agree as well on both counts: surprised to not see 'nurses watch' in the article, and these faux rugged watches look shoddy.
Hard agree, the nurse's watch looks timeless while the carabiner watches look
like something you'd find on the counter at a gas station.
It might be noted that these faux-ruggrd watches are only water resistant to 3 ATM, which means they are rain proof but should not be submerged in water. Not something I would want to rely on in the wilds.
Edit: Casio MW 600F 4AV is available for around 30 USD and has a ten year battery life and 100M (330 feet) water resistance.
3 ATM = waterproof to a depth of 30 meters - so maybe more than just rainproof.
In some dangerous environments such as North Sea oil rigs, watches are required to have a safety break-away. Most watches do, on account of the sprung pins that hold the strap to the watch body. However, some people use a 'NATO' strap that passes through both pins and secures to itself, meaning it can't break away should it be caught in a piece of machinery.
How about a robust solution for a smart watch? I don't carry my phone when working in our small garden (my wife can reach me by voice), but if I did I might be tempted by a durable smart watch. Many years ago, I learned my lesson by smashing my phone display when working outside.
Hi Martin. If you search for 'Nurses fob for Apple watch' you'll find a silicone rubber fob for Apple watches. I've seen similar for Fitbit and Honor watches too.