Top 12 Best Watches for Doctors & Medical Students [List & Guide]

Top 12 Best Watches for Doctors & Medical Students [List & Guide]

There are countless different watches on the market in all kinds of different shapes and designs, and for many different purposes.

A lot of professions require watches, or it is at least very convenient to have one. And every profession needs a watch that is adapted and suitable for what it involves. Doctors and medical students within the medical space work in a profession where you often see people wearing watches. In fact, it is a convenient and practical accessory that all doctors and medical students should have.

If you are a doctor or a medical student who is looking for an appropriate watch, you have come to the right place. In this article, we are looking closer at the best and most popular watches for doctors and medical students. We’ll also go through everything you need to consider and think about when making your pick.

There are many reasons why doctors and medical students wear a watch. The most important include:

• Keeping track of time to make sure they are on time for appointments, meetings, and so on
• Performing assessments
• Documentation
• Checking and measuring vital signs
• Scheduling treatments

Whilst, for many individuals, the wristwatch has become a stylish accessory, doctors are one of the professions where the wristwatch is more used as a practical tool. And that doesn’t come as a surprise, really. With people’s lives and health on the line, time is absolutely crucial.

With so many watches to choose from, how do you decide which is the most suitable for you and your profession? Here are some watches that are highly popular amongst doctors and medical students. These are watches that are suitable for all areas of the healthcare industry whether you are working as a doctor, nurse, or if you are a medical student.

Best watches for Doctors & Medical Students

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Casio Classic Quartz EAW-MQ-24-7B2

First up, we have the Casio quartz EAW-MQ-24-7B2. This is a cheap, durable, and practical timepiece for those who want something functional yet affordable that can take a beating.

It has a 35mm black plastic case with a resin crystal and is presented on a black plastic strap. The benefit of both the watch and the strap being in plastic is that it is easy to clean and rinse with water, which of course is a great benefit for doctors, nurses, and medical students. It also helps the watch withstand scratches and shocks and bangs very well which can be common in the healthcare profession.

The watch is powered by a quartz movement which has an accuracy of +/-20 seconds per month and is water-resistant. For perfect legibility, it has a white background and large Arabic numerals with black hands which makes it really easy and convenient to read the time.

Specifications

• Diameter: 35mm
• Movement: quartz
• Accuracy: +/-20 seconds per month
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Water-resistant

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Timex Unisex Weekender 38mm

Timex is an affordable watch brand that is known for making versatile, stylish timepieces for everyday wear. The Timex Weekender is a popular choice of watch for nurses, doctors, and others. It has a versatile style that makes it suitable for most occasions, both on and off work.

The watch has a 38mm brass case with a mineral crystal on top. The model is available in a large selection of designs with different dial colors, but they all have large Arabic numerals which contrast the rest of the dial to make it easier to read the time. Another great feature about this timepiece is the fact that it has an Indigo light-up watch dial that helps a lot with legibility.

The watch is water-resistant to 30m/100 feet, meaning it is splashproof and can be rinsed with water. There are several strap options, but the Nato strap is a good option for doctors as it is versatile, comfortable, and can be cleaned unlike leather.

Specifications

• Diameter: 38mm
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Water resistance: 30 meters (100 feet)

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VAVC Nurse Watch for Medical Students, Doctors

This watch from VAVC is a watch that is specially made for medical students, nurses, and other individuals working in the healthcare sector. It is designed specifically for the needs of this profession.

The watch has a 40mm case with a sleek and minimalistic case shape. The case is Mae in 316L surgical grade stainless steel with a sapphire-coated mineral crystal on top. Most of the watch’s property is taken up by a large dial. It is available in a large selection of different iterations with different case and dial colors. The dial is extremely easy to read thanks to the large 12 & 24-hour markers and minute markers. Regardless of the version, it always has a red seconds hand making it easy to read the seconds which can be crucial in this profession.

Powering this watch is a Japanese quartz movement. The watch is presented on a soft genuine leather strap which is made to be easy to clean. The water resistance is 50m/164 feet, making it possible to easily clean and rinse the watch.

All in all, this is just a simple, modern, and functional timepiece that is perfect for people working within the healthcare space.

Specifications

• Diameter: 40mm
• Crystal: sapphire-coated mineral crystal 
• Water resistance: 50 m (164 ft)
• Movement: Japanese quartz

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Apple Watch Series 7 GPS with Abyss Blue Sport Band

The Apple Watch doesn’t need much of an introduction. It is a practical and functional smartwatch that is packed with functions and features that may come in handy for a doctor or other individuals working within the healthcare space.

The Apple Watch obviously has connectivity capabilities, meaning you can check your phone notifications, email, texts, and call. You can access apps, stream music, and much more. To a great extent, the Apple watch can do much of what your iPhone can do.

The watch is built with a crack-resistant crystal and has a swim-proof design, making it possible to easily clean it. Thanks to various apps, you have access to many health-related functions such as blood oxygen sensors, ECG, sleep tracking, and heart rate monitor.

The Apple Watch is one of the most popular watches amongst doctors and healthcare workers due to the versatility it offers in terms of functions and the wide selection of functions that it offers.

Specifications

• Health functionality
• Blood oxygen measuring
• Heart rate, heart rhythm
• Crack-resistant crystal
• Swimproof

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Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker

Fitbit is a popular device and watch for fitness activities and fitness tracking. It is also a popular watch amongst healthcare workers. It has a small and slim design, meaning it sits discreetly and comfortably on the wrist.

Naturally, being a fitness watch, it is packed with fitness-related functions, such as 24/7 heart rate monitoring, calorie burn tracking, resting heart rate & heart rate zones during workouts, steps, distance, hourly activities, and much more.

It has up to 5 days of battery life and can sync using Bluetooth LE and an Internet connection and thanks to a radio transceiver, it can automatically sync to 200+ android, iOS & Windows 10 devices.

Even off work, you have plenty of fitness-related activity tracking functions such as swimming, walks, bikes, etc.

The smartwatch can easily be rinsed and cleaned when you need it.

Specifications

• Heart rate monitor
• Fitness tracking function with calorie burn, and more
• Operating temperature: -10° to 45° C
• Bluetooth connectivity

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Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch

Garmin is a popular brand for smartwatches and fitness-related tools. 

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a smartwatch with lots of fitness-related functionality and is a popular watch for doctors and other people within the healthcare space. It has a 45mm case and a battery life of up to 8 days.

The watch can keep track of your energy levels, stress, sleep, heart rate, hydration, and much more health and fitness-related data. In addition to fitness-related things, it also offers smartwatch functions such as the ability to download songs, provide GPS data, workouts, present smart notifications, see incoming calls, text messages, calendar reminders, and much more.

This is a really advanced smartwatch that works great both on and off work for healthcare workers and works as a great partner for providing you with key data and information. Plus, it is more than just a watch and a means of telling the time. It’s a functional and practical tool.

Specifications

• Health and fitness tracker
• Battery life: up to 8 days
• GPS and indoor sports apps
• Smart app connectivity with smart notifications

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Samsung Electronics Galaxy Watch 4

If you’re after a smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is a great choice. This watch offers advanced functionality and features, with a focus on health. 

First and foremost, it has a sleek and slim design that looks good and can easily be cleaned and rinsed. The watch includes features such as sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, heart rhythm, workout tracking, live coaching sessions, oxygen levels, heart and lung endurance, and much more.

In addition to this, you have plenty of features that you would expect to find in a smartwatch such as apps, texting, phone extension, and more.

As you can see, this is a versatile smartwatch for doctors and other healthcare workers that is useful both on and off work.

Specifications

• Health and fitness smartwatch
• ECG Monitor Tracker
• Sleep tracking

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Timex Ironman Essential 30 Watch

Timex is popular and appreciated for its affordable prices yet great quality. The Timex Ironman is, unlike most of Timex’s other watches, a digital watch and thus has a few additional features in addition to the regular timekeeping.

In terms of design, it has a diameter of 42mm and is made in resin which makes it durable and scratch-resistant. The strap is made of silicone and is very comfortable to wear. In addition, the watch is very easy to clean and rinse.

In terms of functionality, it has a  100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory; a 24-hour countdown timer; 3 daily, weekday, or weekend alarms. It features a 24-hour military time mode as well as 2 time zones with day, date, and month calendar. To ensure perfect legibility at all times, it has a large digital screen and an Indiglo light-up watch dial.

The water resistance is also rather good at 100m/330 feet, making it suitable for swimming and of course cleaning.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Diameter: 42mm
• 3 daily alarms
• Crystal: acrylic

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Nurse and doctor Watch lapel Clip

If you want a simple, efficient way to keep track o the time but are not allowed to, or don’t want to wear a wristwatch, a watch clip could be a suitable option.

The watch clip is easily attached to your shirt/coat and allows quick and easy reading of the time. This watch is powered by a quartz movement and has luminous hands with large numerals to make it easy to read. It is made in silicon rubber housing to make it durable, tougher, and easy to clean and sterilize. The dial can also be separated from the casing which is practical for sterilizing and cleaning.

Specifications

• Movement: quartz
• Water-resistant design (removable case)

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Speidel Original Scrub Watch

Speidel is another brand that specialized in making watches specifically for medical purposes and healthcare-related environments. It is designed according to the needs and wants of doctors, nurses, and medical students.

It is available in a large collection of different designs, but they all emphasize legibility with large 12 & 24-hour markers and a red seconds hand for easy tracking of the seconds which can be used for things like taking accurate pulse readings.

The case has a diameter of 38mm and is powered by a quartz movement.

It is designed to be durable and comfortable, features a 100% silicone band, and has a water resistance of 30m/100 feet, making it easy to clean.

All in all, it’s a functional, practical, and affordable timepiece that is widely used by medical staff.

Specifications

• Diameter: 38mm
• Movement: quartz
• Water resistance: 30m (99ft)

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Speidel Scrub 30 Medical Watch Version 2 with Pulsometer

This Speidel Scrub 30 medical watch is similar to the watch above but is also designed to feature a pulsometer scale as well as a day and date window which adds additional functionality to this timepiece.

The watch has a simple and minimalistic design and is presented on a soft silicone strap. The watch has a water resistance of 50m/100 160 feet, making it easy for medical workers to clean and disinfect it.

Thanks to the pulsometer scale on the dial, you can take a pulse reading using the 15 Second intervals quadrants. The day and date window functions are just practical to have for everyday use.

The watch is powered by a 3-hand Japanese quartz movement and the dial is also naturally designed for excellent legibility with large Arabic numerals. The dial features both 12-hour and 24-hour markers. To make it easier to read the time in low-lit conditions, it has hour and minute hands that glow in the dark. The highly visible red seconds hand is also convenient together with the pulsometer scale.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 50m (160ft)
• Movement: quartz

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Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch with Heart Rate

We have looked at one Fitbit, but this Fitbit Versa 2 is slightly different due to the fact that it is a full-on smartwatch with a large screen.

As a result, it is packed with functions and features that are useful both on and off work. It is naturally packed with health-related functions such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking,  steps, distance, calories burned, hourly activity, and much more. The watch also allows you to use the built-in Alexa to quickly and effortlessly access information, set times and alarms, and control your smart home devices.

The watch has a battery life of 6 days and is presented on a silicone strap making it easy to clean and disinfect which is crucial for healthcare workers.

You also have instant and easy access to music with the Spotify app. The large display allows you to easily and quickly read the information and the time.

Last but not least, it has smartphone connectivity which allows you to receive calls and texts, get access to your calendar, and much more. All of this helps make your life easier when your hands are tied and you are in a rush. The smartwatch makes accessing key information easy thanks to quick access on your wrist.

Specifications

• Amazon Alexa built-in
• App connectivity
• Heart rate monitor and fitness app

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Watches for doctors, medical students, and nurses – buyer’s guide

Just like when buying any type of watch, there are plenty of things you need to consider and keep in mind. When you are a doctor or nurse, however, you naturally have other criteria than if you’re looking for a regular watch that you can wear off-work.

Watches for healthcare workers don’t necessarily need the most exclusive and luxurious timepieces. They need something functional and useful that can help them in their profession. They should be watches that are durable, long-lasting, and ideally also affordable so you don’t have to worry about scratching or damaging them.

When it comes to watches for healthcare workers, it’s all about functionality and practicality.

To make sure the watch is suitable for your profession, there are a number of important things you should consider. Let’s have a look.

Digital or analog?

The question is really whether you should buy a classic analog watch or a smartwatch. Both of these watches of course have their respective pros and cons, but a smartwatch is naturally much more advanced and offers tons of features that a regular analog watch doesn’t offer. An analog watch usually presents nothing more than time, and if that’s all you care about, then you can absolutely opt for an analog watch.

But if you want additional functions and features, then a smartwatch can be a good option. Here, you have access to things like fitness tracking, smartphone connectivity, notifications, and much more. A smartwatch is essentially just like a small computer on your wrist, so the opportunities are endless, really.

 

Size/dial size

Once you have decided whether you want a smartwatch or an analog watch, it’s time to decide the size of the watch. To a great extent, the size of the watch depends on your own wrist size. If you have large wrists, you’ll naturally want to opt for a large wrist, and vice versa.

In addition to the case size, you want to consider the screen/dial size. A larger dial size naturally makes it easier to read the time and the information that is presented on it. Therefore, a larger size or screen can be really important. It is particularly important for a smartwatch as it also makes it easier to use and navigate the functions and apps.

At the same time, you may not want to buy the largest watch around as you may want the watch to be discreet and not come in the way when working with patients. Furthermore, a large watch may be in the way when you are working with patients.

Comfort

There’s not much to say about this but obviously, you want your watch to be comfortable on the wrist. When performing healthcare-related work, you want to make sure you are comfortable and not annoyed by the watch that constantly gets in the way or feels uncomfortable on the wrist. For comfort, the two most important factors are usually the strap and the size of the watch

Legibility

We previously discussed size as a way to improve legibility, but there are more factors to it than that.

The legibility of a watch for nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel is really important so that you can quickly get the information you are looking for with just a glance at your wrist. If you have an analog watch, you want to make sure that it has large markers and contrasting hands.

For smartwatches, you want to make sure that they have the appropriate brightness and contrast. When you have a watch that you need to look at for a long period of time just to know the time, it can quickly become annoying rather than a useful and practical tool that helps you.

It can also be convenient to have a watch dial that isn’t too complex or cluttered as this can work as a distraction and make it more difficult to quickly read the time.

When talking about legibility, we also need to discuss legibility in dark and low-lit conditions. This brings us to the next point.

Backlight and luminescence

The legibility of a medical watch also needs to be good in low-lit and dark environments since the conditions in this profession aren’t always ideal. This is particularly true if you work night shifts. If you have a digital smartwatch, you need one with a backlit screen that lights up in dark environments. If you have an analog watch, you need one that has luminescence, ideally on both the hands and markers so that you can quickly read it.

Battery life

All of the analog medical watches in this list are quartz watches for practical reasons, meaning that they are powered by batteries. The same of course goes for smartwatches.

With that said, battery life is something you need to consider.

Analog quartz watches generally have a rather long battery life, usually at least a year. Due to the increased complexity of a smartwatch, they usually have just a few days of battery life before you need to charge them.

If you find it annoying to constantly have to charge the watch, you may want to opt for a quartz watch that has a much longer battery life. The most important part, however, is that the watch doesn’t die in the middle of the day. Check the battery life of the watch and plan accordingly.

Lapel or Wristwatch

The fact of the matter is that you may not even want a wristwatch. In some places, doctors, nurses, etc. are not allowed to wear watches. Or, you may just not like to have something on your wrist as you find it annoying or that it gets in the way. In these cases, a lapel watch can be a more suitable alternative. This type of watch is clipped to your coat, jacket, or pocket, and allows easy access to the time without having to have it on your wrist.

A lot of doctors actually prefer to use a lapel-style watch as it allows them to pin it to their scrubs, stethoscope, or white coat.

Water-Resistance

The water resistance isn’t crucial for a watch that is used by doctors and other medical staff. However, you do want the watch to be splashproof and able to handle rinsing.

This is important because medical staff should clean and disinfect their watch occasionally for obvious reasons. Washing the hands frequently is also a natural thing to do, and in these cases, water will naturally splash up on the watch.

Because of this, you want a watch that can handle water splashes and be rinsed.

Therefore, make sure you look for a watch that can be rinsed underwater without breaking. Water resistance of at least 30-50m is usually enough to be able to rinse it.

Functions

Naturally, the single most important feature of a medical watch should be that it keeps track of time. But in addition to this, you may want additional functions and features.

As mentioned earlier, smartwatches are much less advanced than smartwatches, thus meaning you can expect a lot fewer functions from these. But regardless, deciding on the functions you want in a watch will help you define what you are looking for and ultimately narrow down your alternatives.

If you opt for a classic analog watch, some of the features are:

• Date function
• Pulsometer scale
• Day window
• Chronograph

If you, on the other hand, consider a smartwatch, there are a lot more functions and features to consider. These include:

• Heart rate monitor
• Calorie counter
• Sleep tracking
• Fitness apps and functionality
• GPS
• Smartphone connectivity
• Smart notifications
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Activity level tracking
• Health tracking

A smartwatch can be a great tool to have if you cannot or are not allowed to have your phone during work since you’ll be able to access notifications and apps directly from your watch.

Analog seconds hand

If you opt for an analog watch, the second hand is an important aspect and feature. This is why, on many of the medical analog watches, you can see that the second hand is made in red. The second hand can be used to track a patient’s breaths or heart rate. Furthermore, some watches feature a timer so you can track the patient’s vital signs easier.

Price

As you can see, the price of a doctor’s watch varies a lot. Namely, simple analog watches are relatively affordable, but smartwatches are considerably more expensive. This is obviously to be expected considering the fact that they are much more advanced and are more than just a means of telling the time – they are functional and practical tools, almost like a computer or a smartphone.

Still, your budget will determine the watch you go for. If you have a limited budget, you may opt for the more affordable analog watches that can be found for less than 100 dollars, sometimes even less than 50 dollars.

On the contrary, if you have a higher budget, it may afford an advanced smartwatch that you can get plenty of use from, even outside of work. Still, an expensive luxury watch is usually not the best option since the medical profession can subject the watch to scratches, shocks, and bangs.

The most important features to look for in a medical/doctor watch

• Ability to be rinsed/cleaned
• Durable and robust
• Good legibility
• Comfortable and waterproof strap
• Comfortable watch
• Lightweight
• Good battery life
• Luminous (or backlit)

Can you use a smartwatch as a medical watch?

Smartwatches have become increasingly popular amongst doctors and other medical staff due to the practical functionality they offer. Traditionally, doctors have used regular analog watches but thanks to technological innovations, they have become more practical and useful both on and off work.

Smartwatches are therefore a great idea and a useful tool to have as a doctor. They are durable, versatile, and most importantly, packed with functions and features. The fact that many smartwatches can be connected to a phone is also a great thing as it means you can see notifications, and answer phone calls, and texts without having to constantly take up your phone. In addition, some of the functions that smartwatches have can also be used for the profession.

What features should I look for in a doctor’s watch?

We have already discussed some of the key features and functions above, but it also depends on the type of watch you opt for. Obviously, a smartwatch is much more advanced than an analog watch, so it ultimately also comes down to your own needs and preferences.

The single most important things are timekeeping and legibility, but for a smartwatch, things like fitness tracking, health tracking, and phone connectivity can also be extremely useful.

In terms of construction, a medical watch needs to be robust, durable, suitable for all kinds of harsh conditions, and also water-resistant so that it can easily be cleaned. A practical strap such as rubber or silicone also ensures that the watch is comfortable and that it can be cleaned easily.

In addition, a second hand or timer is useful for measuring vital signs or to read on a patient’s respiratory rate.