Top 11 Best watches for Blind or Visually Impaired
The market is full of all kinds of different watches. Quartz, automatics, digital, analog, and everything in between. The good news is that there are also watches made for the blind or visually impaired.
This is great news, and in this article, we will go through just that, and also share some of the most popular and best watches for the blind or Visually Impaired.
About watches for blind or visually impaired
The issue with traditional wristwatches is that they are often small and hard to read. This can be true even for those who are not visually impaired. Many watches have poor contrast of the hands and markers, which makes them difficult to read.
The good news is that there are several different kinds of watches for the blind or visually impaired on the market. Some are simply made with high contrast and high contrast, with well-contrasting hands, which makes it a lot easier to read the time.
Other watches have a ”speak” function that reads the time with voice for you, so you don’t actually have to look at the watch. Then, of course, we have braille watches, which have tactile embossments/or raised surfaces, which makes it possible to know the time by simply touching the watch’s face.
All of these watches have their benefits, but it also depends on your wants and needs. For a person who is visually impaired, it may be sufficient to get a watch with good contrast in order to read it. For people who are blind, then watches with speak function or braille watches will be the best option.
Let’s look a bit closer at these types of watches and what they offer. Note that some watches have several different functions built into one, so it can tell you the time when you want, how you want. This can, for example, be a combination of a talking watch and a braille function, or a watch with good legibility and a speak function.
Before we dig into the watches, there are a number of things worth considering to make it easier for you to find a watch that you like.
Here are some questions worth considering
- Do I want a digital braille watch or an analog braille watch? Do I want a talking watch or a watch with good legibility?
- Do I want a pocket watch or a wristwatch?
- Do I want an automatic/mechanical watch or quartz?
- What style do I want the watch to have? Shall it work as an accessory/fashion piece or focus 100% on function?
- How is the watch operated? Is it easy to operate or a bit complicated?
- Do I want a simple and basic watch that is easy to operate or a watch that is a bit more complicated but with more functions?
Without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the best and most popular watches for the blind or visually impaired within these three categories discussed above, braille watches, talking watches, and watches with good legibility. Further on, we’ll also go through everything you need to know about these watches in order to find one that is perfect for your needs.
Top 11 best watches for Blind or Visually Impaired
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Tactile Braille Watch for Blind and Elderly Grey Dial
This Braille watch is perfect for sensing the time with the touch of a finger. In addition to this, it is also rather sleek and elegant.
The watch has a minimalistic and stylish design with regular analog hands, but most importantly, tells the time by touch, using tactile dots. The watch has 3 tactile dots at the 12 o’clock mark, 2 dots at 3, 6, 9, and 1 dot at 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
It features a swing cover which allows for easy access in order to read the time. It is all about function and makes it possible to know the time in an easy and convenient way. But in addition to this, Its clean and elegant design is a great bonus, as not all watches are focused on the design and making them not only practical but also beautiful.
Specifications
- Weight: 80 grams
- Lug width: 18mm
- Diameter: 38mm
- Face: grey
Reizen Talking Atomic Watch with Expansion Band
This is a talking radio-controlled automatic clock that is suitable for both men and women. It is ideal for individuals with low vision. This is also because it does not require you to set the time.
Being a talking watch, it tells you the time with the simple press of a button. It makes a clear and audible announcement of time, date, day of the week, and alarm status in a male voice.
In addition, it sets itself via the atomic function, which is a great feature.
The dial is white and has big, large black numerals and broad black hands.
For optimal comfort, it is presented on a stretch band which allows for a comfortable fit and doesn’t require adjusting
This watch combines optimal legibility if you want to read the time, but also tells the time via the voice which is a great combination so you can choose how you want to know the time.
Specifications
- Battery: CR2032
- Atomic Radio-Controlled NIST Time-Setting Function
Atomic Talking Digital LCD Watch for Visually Impaired
This watch is developed especially for blind and visually impaired individuals. It features lots of different practical functions that make it more convenient and useful for knowing the time.
First and foremost, the time and calendar of the watch are set automatically via the radio Atomic clock signal so you won’t have to do this. It also adjusts for daylight savings for improved battery life. The atomic clock ensures a perfect accuracy
Apart from the time which is displayed digitally on the screen with large numbers, it is also a talking watch. By using the big top button which is easily accessible, it tells the Time, Date-Day, and Alarm with a loud and audible volume with a male voice.
The digital LCD screen is a nice bonus for when you don’t want to use the voice function.
Specifications
- LCD screen
- Speaking watch
- Atomic clock (sets itself)
- Alarm
- Voice presents the time, date, and day
Atomic! Talking Watch Unisex Talking Watch 1100
The Atomic” talking watch is a timepiece that combines great legibility with large white numerals on the dial and contrasting watch hands, with a talking function.
The watch is presented with an analog function with optimum legibility, and then also a talking function that presents the time, day, date, month, and year with a male voice at the touch of a button. The voice also presents the signal reception status.
The watch also has atomic accuracy and sets itself for perfect timekeeping at all times. It also includes adjustments for daylight savings time.
This really is a perfect watch for anyone with visual limitations.
On top of the case, it has a scratch-resistant anti-reflective mineral crystal, and it is presented on a comfortable steel flex expansion bracelet that fits most wrists and does not require adjusting.
It is also great that this watch looks quite good and elegant as well.
Atomic English Talking Watch with Day-Date Loud Alarm Visually Impaired
This digital watch is made especially for individuals with visual limitations, as well as seniors, both men, and women.
The watch is presented with a clear and easy-to-read LCD screen with oversized digits with a backlight, making it easier to read the time in any condition. It is made of durable and robust rubber and a shiny metal case with a scratch-resistant anti-reflective mineral crystal.
It is also a watch with atomic accuracy and sets the time itself, for perfect timekeeping at all times.
The watch talks the time, day, date, month, and year, as well as signal reception in a pleasant audible male voice at the touch of a button.
This is a great practical watch to have for anyone who wants to know the time in an easy and convenient way. In particular for blind and visually impaired individuals.
EONE Bradley Compass Gold Aluminum Steel Watch Touch Time
This EONE Bradley is one of our favorite watch for blind and visually impaired individuals. It has a stylish and unique design and is made in a combination of grey and yellow gold.
The watch has raised hour markers with a brushed finish and the watch is made in a combination of stainless steel and aluminum, making it very light. The function of this watch is of course to allow you to feel the time by touch. It makes this possible with its triangular marker at twelve, line segments for three, six, and nine, and shorter line segments for the other markers. It uses two magnetized ball bearings which travel around the watch in a recessed track. One ball is positioned around the center of the face for the minutes and one ball is positioned at the outside edge for the hour.
This is a really clever and unique concept that enables telling time by touch.
For comfort, it is presented on a soft canvas strap with a soft leather interior. Lastly, this is a watch that also has a very interesting and intriguing design.
Eone Bradley Classic Watch
This watch in full black is the same braille-type watch as above, but this time in full black for a more masculine appearance. The watch is also available in many different colors and executions if you prefer a different look.
The watch uses two magnetized ball bearings which rotate around the outside of the case, and one on the face of the watch, making it possible to tell the time by using your sense. It is also a discreet way to tell the time by simply feeling what the time is, rather than having to look at your watch on occasions when it is not ideal, for example during a meeting. The raised markers work together with the ball bearings to make it easy to distinguish the time.
TimeChant Atomic! Talking Watch Easy-to-Read Talking Watch
This simple and clean watch is developed for blind and visually impaired and presents the time both using a digital screen as well as with a talk function.
The face of the watch features an LCD screen that presents the day and the time with large and clear digits. If you want to use the voice function, you simply activate it with the press of a button and it talks the time, day, date, month, and year, as well as signal reception status in a pleasant male voice.
The watch features an atomic clock function, ensuring perfect timekeeping and accuracy at all times.
It is designed with a clean and simple design which ensures it doesn’t stand out too much, and also looks elegant whilst on the wrist. The case has a fine polished shiny metal and a scratch-resistant anti-reflective mineral crystal at the top.
English Atomic Talking Watch for Visually Impaired
This is a stylish end elegant timepiece designed according to classic design looks, but it puts functionality at the forefront.
First and foremost, it has a matte black dial which prevents reflections. In addition to this, it has large white numerals which provide great contrast, and the hands are also white as well to make for great legibility.
But that’s not all, because it also has a talk function which, with the press of a button, clearly talks the time, day, date, month, year, and the signal reception in a male voice.
The watch is also equipped with an atomic clock which ensures perfect accuracy at all times. The time and calendar of the talking watch are set automatically by the radio Atomic clock.
Its elegant design makes it stylish for any occasion, and its soft leather strap is both comfortable and goes well together with its design.
On top of the case, it has a scratch-resistant anti-reflective mineral crystal.
Timex Easy Reader Date Expansion Band 38mm
This watch is not a speak watch nor a braille watch, however, it is an analog watch that is made with legibility in mind.
The watch is designed to offer optimum contrast and legibility, which makes them especially popular among the visually impaired and those with limited vision.
The watch is available in different designs and executions so you can find one that you like. This particular timepiece has a white dial, which is the best option for maximum legibility. The dial has large black numerals and black rectangular hands which provide great contrast against the black background.
It has a simple and elegant design which makes it suitable for most occasions, and it is presented on a 20mm stainless steel flex band for optimum comfort. The watch also has a date window at 3 o’clock. On top of the case, it has a mineral crystal. Last but not least, it also has an Indiglo light-up watch dial
Specifications
- Water-Resistance: 30m/100 feet
- Diameter: 38mm
- Case: brass
- Crystal: Mineral glass
English Talking Watch Quartz with Expanding Strap
This analog watch is developed for blind or visually impaired individuals. It is an analog watch with a built-in talking function.
It has a white background with large black numerals and big rectangular hands. The talking function is activated with the push of one button on the case and informs about the time and date in a natural male voice.
The watch is simple and elegant and has a design that doesn’t stand out from the ordinary, making it perfect for everyday wear.
The watch is presented on a silver stainless steel expansion which does not need to be adjusted. It is also great for elderly people and for comfort.
Types of watches for blind or visually impaired
Watches with good legibility
Watches with good legibility are focused on making the watch as legible as possible. Obviously, it helps to make the dial large, but then the focus is on creating a good contrast between the face of the watch and the hands and markers.
Therefore, if a person has low vision or partial vision loss, this can be a great option. The good news is that these types of watches look just like regular wristwatches so they can also work as stylish pieces of accessories. They also come in many different shapes and forms.
If you just want a watch with good legibility, you should look for one with larger markers and large hands where the hands and markers contrast the color of the dial. The best contrast is achieved with a black background and white markers, or with a white background and black markers. Depending on the situation, it may also help with a strong luminescence, but reading the time in the dark can be quite difficult in general so it may or may not help that much.
Talking watches with speak function
Talking watches, watches with speak function are watches which, as their name suggests, speak the time with audio. This is a great solution for the blind or visually impaired to know the time whenever they need it.
They work very simply, in the way that by the press of a button, the watch tells you the time and potentially also the date, and day, in a Siri-style manner via audio. Of course, different watches also have different functions, so they can provide even more information such as the year, and so on.
The watches with speak functions are a very popular choice as they are convenient and easy to operate. The best part about these types of watches is that they are available in many different designs, shapes, and forms, so you can choose one that suits your style.
For a watch with a speak function, it is also important to consider the volume of the voice. If the sound is too low, it may even be difficult to hear it.
Braille watches
Braille watches are most commonly used by individuals who are completely blind or have very poor vision. Braille watches come in different forms, and some are also available with a built-in voice function as well, so you can choose as you like.
They work in the way they have a raised surface so that it is possible to tell the time by using sense and touching the raised surfaces.
There are both digital braille watches and analog braille watches. Digital watches have a function that makes the dots change position when time changes. The catch is that the wearer must know the braille alphabet in order to be able to tell the time.
If the wearer does not know the braille alphabet, analog braille watches are the better alternative. These watches contain tactile embossments which makes it possible to tell the time by touching the watch.
Before we dig into the watches, there are a number of things worth considering to make it easier for you to find a watch that you like.
As discussed earlier: here are some questions worth considering:
- Do I want a digital braille watch or an analog braille watch? Do I want a talking watch or a watch with good legibility?
- Do I want a pocket watch or a wristwatch?
- Do I want an automatic/mechanical watch or quartz?
- What style do I want the watch to have? Shall it work as an accessory/fashion piece or focus 100% on function?
- How is the watch operated? Is it easy to operate or a bit complicated?
- Do I want a simple and basic watch that is easy to operate or a watch that is a bit more complicated but with more functions?
Watches for blind or visually impaired – buyer’s guide
There can be a lot of things to consider when making your pick of the most suitable watch for someone who is blind or has limited eyesight. Let’s take a look at some of the most important considerations below:
What type of watch do I want?
As discussed and listed above, there are many different types of watches that can be appropriate. Watches with good legibility, braille watches, and talking watches are generally the best options. But which of these should you choose? Well, to a large extent, it depends on the wearer and how poor the eyesight really is. Older people with just poorer eyesight but not terrible, tend to opt for watches that just focus on improving legibility with larger markers and greater contrast.
For those who have very limited eyesight, a talking watch tends to be the best option as you are not reliant on your eyesight. All you need to do is press a button and the watch reads the time for you. Very practical.
Braille watches are good if you don’t want to activate a large noise from a talking watch, but it can be slightly more complicated to know how to use it if the person hasn’t used one before.
Complicated or simple?
Elderly people tend to be those that primarily opt for these types of watches for natural reasons, and with that said, it may not always be super ideal to have a very complicated watch. Whilst these are able to pack more functions and features, they also become more complicated to use, perhaps even to the point where they become overwhelming and hard to understand. But if the eyesight is still relatively good and the wearer is used to technology, you may find good use in a more complicated timepiece that packs more functions and features.
Do I want an automatic/mechanical watch or quartz?
The fact of the matter is that most watches for the blind and visually impaired are usually either quartz analog or digital. This is for obvious reasons since a talking watch uses technology to function, and equally so a digital watch.
Whilst there are watches with an automatic movement that focus on legibility, those that are specifically made and developed for the elderly and those with limited eyesight tend to be quartz for the sake of practicality. Quartz is generally more convenient than an automatic watch as you don’t have to wind it and wear it constantly to keep it from stopping.
Watches for blind
For individuals who are completely blind, the best option is obviously either braille watches or talking watches. Whilst talking watches work with audio, the braille watches work with sense. Which of these is the best ultimately comes down to preference.
How much does a talking watch cost?
Talking watches are in general quite affordable. You can find a talking watch on amazon for about 30-100 USD.
How do talking watches work?
Talking watches are generally made to be extremely easy to use. You use them by pushing a button and a voice will present the information you are looking for via audio. Most talking watches tell you the time, date, day, and year. Some talking watches have a male voice, others have a female voice, and some give you the option to choose. There are also more advanced talking watches that provide more detailed information such as a talking hourly time report and talking calendar.
Talking watches also usually display the time either analog or digital, so people who aren’t blind can also read the time if they prefer to not activate the talking function all the time.
How do you read a Braille watch?
A braille watch is used by touching the dial and noticing the embossments. The catch is that you need to be able to read braille, and if the person who wears the watch is not able to, it will be impossible to use it. The good news is that there are analog-style braille watches that allow you to sense the time in a traditional analog clock fashion, meaning that individuals who don’t know braille can use it as well.
Braille watches come in many different shapes and forms, but oftentimes, they have bumps located at each hour. The crystal is in turn hinged so that it can open and give the person access to the watch face.
It is worth noting that the Braille dots vary with each watch. Some use two dots for 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and some use a larger dot for those hours, so you want to make sure you have a look at the braille watch and choose one that is not too complicated.
