If sight loss means you can no longer read the time on your old watch, you should check out the accessible alternatives: easy-to-see, tactile, or talking watches.
And you can make life simpler by choosing a watch (or clock) that is radio-controlled. These ‘atomic’ watches receive a radio signal from a time transmitter that keeps them on time, all the time – this means they will adjust themselves to the correct time when the clocks change in spring and autumn. (Please note that not all radio-controlled watches can connect to all time transmitters, and may need to be manually set when out of range.)
Easy-to-see watches have bold numbers and hands that contrast clearly with the watch face. This easy-to-see watch has a dark brown crocodile-effect genuine leather strap for a smart, classic look.
You don’t need to know braille to use a tactile watch – they use raised dots and bars to mark the hours on the face and to tell the time you feel the position of the hands. If you’re not used to using touch, it might take a little while to feel really confident, but practice makes perfect.
Talking watches often have easy-to-see faces as well. At a single touch, they will announce the time (and in some cases the date) in a clear voice. Some watches offer a choice of voices and other features.
Although these are the most common accessible watches, they’re not the only solutions. Vibrating watches are more unusual and convey the time in a series of buzzes. More discreet than a talking watch, these may suit you if you don’t have the sensitivity in your fingers to easily use a tactile watch.
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.
