Are smart watches the smart option?
I love watches. And I love technology. But I don’t think they sit well together. Or at least not always. Let me explain. In the mid-20th century, people wore watches on their wrists and those watches just told the time. They were mechanically powered watches. They had to be wound daily to ensure they kept time. In the 1970s battery powered watches (also known as quartz watches as the timing is provided by a quartz crystal) were invented and became the preference for most people. Digital LCD watches appeared in the 1980s with built in functions such as stop watches, countdown timers and world timers.
Today, many younger people don’t wear wrist watches. They have accurate time displayed on their smart phones. Some wear smart watches. Apple has really taken the watch industry by storm. Their watches are well made, look very slick and come with all sorts of smart features. Of course, there are also many other Android based smart watches out there to choose from.
My issue with smart watches is much the same issue I have with my smart phone. It steals my time and my attention. It’s constantly pinging me, sending me notifications, interrupting me. The applications are designed to be addictive and to keep me engaged. Why is this a problem? Well, for one, it takes my attention away from the present moment. It affects my concentration. It might interrupt an in-person conversation I’m having with a friend, or the focus I had on the work I was doing, or the movie I was watching.
Smart watches tend to have lots of apps that are related to health and fitness and that’s a good thing - right? They monitor our activity and bug us when we haven’t reached our daily targets! I really don’t need (or want) my watch bugging me. Scolding me. Telling me I’m not doing enough. Or I’m not enough. My watch does not control me. I control me. I’ll decide when I need to exercise. I’ll decide when I need to rest. I’ll listen to my own body, and by listening to my own body I’ll tune into its needs. I’ll get better at understanding when I need exercise and when I need rest. I’ll use my own time more efficiently. I’ll focus on the present - the here and now. My smart phone is useful but it’s also a major distraction. I don’t want another distraction on my wrist. And I don’t want another device that needs to be charged and is outdated in twelve to eighteen months. It’s another expense and stress I don’t need. Also, it’s not great for the environment - more charging and more expensive devices powered by precious earth metals that only last a couple of years before they need to be renewed.
Today, I wear a nice mechanical watch. Sometimes I wear a more modern digital watch like a Casio G-Shock. I like watches. I like looking at them. The detail in the dials, casing and bracelet can be a beautiful sight. When I focus on the sweeping second hand of my watch I am literally focusing on the present. This moment. This second. My breath deepens and slows. I relax. It feels good. My watch never interrupts me, and it never needs charging. It will last a lifetime if I look after it. Good for me and my mental health - and good for the environment. Time is precious and every second counts. Don’t waste all your time with an interrupting smart watch! Wear a beautiful mechanical watch instead or at least some of the time. That’s the smart move I’d say!