For people with a sight condition the twice-yearly clock change can be extra grit in the machinery of the day. Swapping a standard clock or watch for one that is easy to see, talking and/or radio-controlled can make the transition in and out of GMT a lot smoother. Check out these solutions…
1. Radio-controlled clocks and watches
Choosing an 'atomic' or radio-controlled timepiece is the simplest way to deal with the clocks changing. These clocks and watches are controlled by radio signal and will automatically adjust themselves to BST and GMT in March and October.
If you travel abroad a lot, it's worth checking whether your watch will need to be set manually or if it will pick up the signal in the country you're visiting so you don't get caught out.
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2. Easy-to-see clocks and watches
Easy-to-see clocks and watches have bold numbers and hands that contrast clearly with the watch face, or high contrast digital displays to make them easier to read.
When shopping for an analogue, easy-to-see watch it's worth checking that the crown is also easy to use. Look for large, 'easy-grip' crowns to make setting the time easier.
If you prefer a digital clock to an analogue one, consider whether the screen can be easily read from many angles – you don't want to have to line yourself up with the clock whenever you want to check the time!
It's also worth checking the colour and contrast to make sure it's suitable for your needs, while watching out for small, fiddly remote controls. You may find it helpful to search for dementia-friendly clocks which have clear, high-contrast displays that could work for you.
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3.Talking clocks and watches
Talking watches are often also easy-to-see watches, and will usually have setting menus that are audible (either beeps or spoken prompts) to make them easier to use for blind and partially sighted people. They will often be radio-controlled and will announce the time at the press of a button.
Talking clocks may have an easy-to-see analogue face or no face at all. These faceless clocks will usually have one large, easy-to-see, tactile button which announces the time when pressed, as well as audible setting menus. Some are also radio-controlled to make them even easier to use.
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4. Tactile watches
Sometimes called 'braille' watches, most tactile watches use raised dots and bars to mark the hours on the face. To tell the time, you open the hinged case and feel the position of the hands and the dots and bars – you don't need to know how to read braille to use these tactile watches, just familiarise yourself with the pattern of tactile marks.
You can now buy magnetic tactile watches, too. Eone Bradley watches have raised hour markers and two magnetised ball bearings that travel around the watch face in separate, recessed tracks to mark the time. One ball moves around the centre of the watch face to mark minutes, the other ball moves around the edge of the case to mark hours.
5. Smartwatches
Some smartwatches have accessibility features that might suit your needs. Our accessibility review of fitness watches discusses some of the pros and cons of these hi-tech options, and includes the Synapptic smartwatches that are specifically designed for blind and partially sighted people with easy-to-see displays, and spoken and haptic feedback. Available as a basic smartwatch or with a full range of health and fitness features.
