Braille Watches

Keeping Time

Keeping good time is important to everyone. We all have a need to attend meetings, catch transport or simply be in a given place at a certain time. Being able to quickly and easily tell the time is something that is often taken for granted. However, for those with low vision, finding suitable watches that are easy to read is extremely important.

These watches have long been available with examples of antique Braille pocket watches found in collections dating back to the start of the twentieth century. Today, however, modern technologies mean that new and exciting ways of telling the time have been developed. New technologies include talking and vibrating watches, and these features can often also be found in braille watches.

About Braille

Braille is one of the oldest forms of reading systems designed for people with low or no vision. Invented by a Frenchman called Louis Braille in 1821, it is widely used today. The alphabet is represented in Braille by a series of dots; each set of six dots is a letter.

Even people who are not familiar with Braille will be aware of the raised patterned surfaces on elevator panels or the rows of coded bumps on medicine or cleaning bottles. Braille is used and known world wide making it truly international.

How Braille Watches Work

Braille watches typically have a number of raised indicators around the face. This allows the wearer to be able to feel where the watch hands are in relation to the indicators. In effect it provides the wearer with the ability to be able to tell the time by touch. Watches often have a cover that can be lifted up. This is an important feature that stops the Braille indicators or the watch hands getting caught on clothing or other items. Braille generally signifies the hours using a single dot, the quarter hours by two or more dots and 12 o'clock with three dots. This helps to accurately tell the time without having the watch too crowded with markings.

Types of Braille Watch

Braille watches are available in a wide range of styles. Straps include leather, stainless steel and gold plate, meaning that the individual can chose a watch that complements their own style. Braille watches also often have easy to operate clasps that are easy to operate by feel. Braille watches are made by a variety of manufacturers including Seiko, Reizen and Silvana.

Braille watches can also be found as pocket watches and these make a useful alternative to standard wrist watches. These can be more easily accessed by someone with low vision.

Buying Braille Watches

These watches can be found from specialty stores and these stores offer a full range and choice. The watches can also be found online. Buying watches from a store or online both have unique advantages. It is useful to be able to feel and touch a Braille watch before buying to make sure that it is suitable, and often specialty stores will have trained staff on hand who can give relevant advice. Online stores sometimes offer a larger range and do allow shopping from the comfort of an armchair. The prices at online stores are also usually highly competitive, however the shopping experience is less personal. The decision of where to buy is ultimately up to the individual shopper.

Stores that stock Braille or talking watches include:

• Independent Living
• Amazon
• Princeton Watches
• LSS Products

Tips for Buying Braille Type Watches as Gifts

There are some useful tips to keep in mind when buying a Braille type watch as a gift.

• Waterproof watches are useful as they don't need to be removed for bathing, reducing the risk of being misplaced.
• Some watches have a talking function, which is a useful backup to the Braille on the face.
• Watches with expansion bands can easily be slipped on and off without having to worry about undoing a strap.
• Most watches now come with batteries and this saves the fiddly winding up of the watch and ensures accurate time keeping.

A Braille watch is a useful and attractive accessory that will offer great time keeping for years to come