ATOMIC! Talking Watch
This talking watch contains bold black numbers on a sleek white background with a stainless steel band. It sets itself and automatically updates to new time zones and to Daylight Savings Time. The time is announced in a bold, male voice.
Top 10 Watches for Blind or Visually Impaired
You’ve seen our favorite, now let’s take a look at some of the other watches we like.
Keep reading below the table for a short guide on choosing the best watch for you.
| Rank | Picture | Name | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| ATOMIC! Talking Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 2 | 
| WobL Vibrating Kids Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 3 | 
| Economical Square Talking Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 4 | 
| VibraLITE Mini 12-Alarm Vibrating Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 5 | 
| Man's Modern 4 Alarm Talking Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 6 | 
| TimeOptics Women's Talking Gold-Tone Day Date Alarm Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 7 | 
| Reizen Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 8 | 
| VISIOYO English Talking Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 9 | 
| Eone Bradley Steel Mesh Watch | See it on Amazon |
| 10 | 
| DOT Watch | See it on Amazon |
| Bonus | 
| Talking Clock Keychain Silver | See it on Amazon |
Note that our bonus pick above isn’t technically a watch, but it’s a favorite product of a lot of our readers that we’ve talked to.
Which watch is best for you?
How many times a day do you casually glance down at your watch?
If you leave home without it, do you find yourself glancing down at your wrist and feeling incomplete?
For millions of people with vision loss, the average wrist watch is nearly useless. Fortunately, there are a wide array of watches available specifically designed for people with low vision.
These watches are obtainable in many different brands, styles, colors and sizes and meet a wide assortment of visual needs. There are three general categories of watches designed for individuals with vision loss:
- talking watches
- braille watches
- watches with large, bold numbers and letters.
What are talking watches?
Talking watches are produced by numerous brands and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, ranging from digital sports watches to rose-gold fashion watches.
In fact, most talking watches are aesthetically indistinguishable from other watches.
With the simple press of a button, talking watches reveal the time, date, day, and year in an articulate human voice (some watches offer a male voice, some a female voice, and some offer the option of both.)
More advanced features include a talking hourly time report and talking calendar.
Talking watches are worn by people with a variety of visual limitations and needs. In an era where talking electronics are the norm (“Siri, what’s the temperature?â€) talking watches offer an inclusive approach to telling time.
What are braille watches?
Braille watches can be obtained in a variety of styles. They contain tactile embossments, or raised surfaces, which allows people with vision loss to tell time by touch.
Analog braille watches contain a protective cover, generally made of glass. This cover is flipped open to reveal the tactile embossments, allowing the wearer to tell the time by a simple touch.
Digital braille watches function in a slightly different manner, as the placement of the dots continue to change position as the time changes. Unlike analog braille watches, digital braille watches require that the wearer be proficient in the braille alphabet in order to tell time.
Some braille watches double as talking watches, offering wearers both an auditory and tactile option for telling time. Braille watches are generally worn by people who are legally blind or have significant vision loss.
Watches with large print
Watches with large, bold numbers and letters are designed for wearers with low vision. These watches are available in a variety of brands and styles and include men’s watches, women’s watches, and unisex styles.
With so many different options on the market, how do you select the best watch for you or a loved one?
This guide provides eight great watches for people with vision loss.
A Closer Look: Watch Reviews
While we’ve ranked (above and below) each of the watches it’s also true that you may have a specific need that overrules our ranking. With that said, all the watches on this list are great, so choose the one that best fits your need.
1. Atomic: Five Senses Unisex Talking Watch
Pros: Classic unisex style, easy to set, offers both bold lettering and a talking option to meet a variety of visual needs.
Cons: The voice is a male British accent, which may be difficult for some to understand.
Who would benefit from this watch: This watch would benefit people who are legally blind, as well as those with macular degeneration. Additionally, the talking feature would benefit those with minimal vision loss who have taken off glasses/contacts or are in dark.
3. Economical Square-Talking Watch
This simple, affordable watch announces the time in a clear female voice. An hourly time announcement can be provided with the simple press of a button.
Pros: Very affordable and easy to use. Speaker is located on the face of the watch, making the verbal announcements louder than on many other talking watches.
Cons: Battery cannot be replaced, so when the battery stops working, a new watch must be purchased. No advanced features.
Who would benefit from this watch: This watch is the perfect option for someone who has been newly diagnosed with vision loss. This watch provides a very economical option to try out the basic features of a talking watch prior to investing in a more advanced option.
6. Time Optics: Ladies Goldtone Talking Watch
This stylish, talking watch has bold numbers and a contrasting color scheme, making time easy to read for those with low vision. With the press of one simple button, the date, time, day, and year are announced. This watch also contains an alarm.
Pros: Fashionable, expandable flex band makes it easy to take on and off, large number font and talking options meet a variety of different visual needs. Additionally, Time Optics offers a number of additional styles, including men’s styles, children’s styles, and unisex options.
Cons: Not water resistant, does not have the advanced feTatures of some other talking watches
Who would benefit from this watch: This watch was specifically designed for people with macular degeneration, but it is a solid option for individuals with a range of visual abilities.
7. Reizen: Illuminated Watch
This stylish unisex watch offers a white quartz face with oversize, high-contrast black numbers and bold hour and minute hands. The extra-wide dial is designed to provide ease in viewing the time. The gold band is easily adjustable.
Pros: Fashionable, moderately priced, and comes with a one-year warranty.
Cons: This watch is not water resistant and is not a good option for people who are legally blind or experiencing substantial vision loss, as there is no talking or Braille option.
Who would benefit from this watch: This watch benefits people who are near-sighted, have been diagnosed with mild cases of nystagmus or glaucoma, or otherwise experience blurred vision. While this is a great watch for individuals with low vision limitations, it is not appropriate for someone who is legally blind or experiencing extensive vision loss.
8. VISIOYO: English Talking Digital Sports Watch
This classic sports watch features a silver face and black band. This watch provides both a digital time and a talking option, provided in a clear female voice with an American accent.
Pros: Affordable, water resistant, and easy to use. The simple press of a button provides a spoken option for the time; this watch also has an alarm option.
Cons: This watch offers no advanced features.
Who would benefit from this watch: The VISIOYO English Talking Digital Sports Watch is a great option for individuals with vision loss who desire a no-frills sports watch with a talking option. The band can be adjusted for use on children and the elderly.
9. Eone: Bradley Mesh Silver
The hallmark of this thoughtfully designed watch is the raised markers, allowing the wearer to feel the time by touch, an effect similar to reading braille.
This watch is made from high quality titanium and a stainless steel mesh.
Fun fact: the brand name “Eone†is actually short for “everyone†and illustrates the desire to create a watch that is inclusive and can be appreciated by everyone.
Pros: Watch is very esthetically appealing and designed from durable materials. It appeals equally to wearers with visual limitations and those with full sight.
Cons: Watch is not water-resistant, and the cost may be prohibitive for some. There is not a speaking option and the watch contains hands only, no numbers, so the wearer must be comfortable with using physical touch to tell time.
Who would benefit from this watch: Eone watches are a great choice for wearers seeking quality and chic style; these watches can benefit wearers with a range of visual abilities and needs.
10. Dot Watch: Smart Braille Watch
The Dot Watch is an innovative smart watch, with a tactile Braille display. This watch is designed to connect to the wearer’s smart phone, but can also be used as a standalone Braille watch for wearers who prefer a less tech-savvy option.
Pros: This watch has a clean, stylish look and is a wonderful option for utilizing Braille technology. When connected to a smart phone, The Dot sends notifications, alerts, and messages that mirror the phone.
Cons: This watch does require a familiarity with reading Braille. It does not provide a talking option, but rather relies on vibrations for alerts. The cost may be prohibitive for some.
Who would benefit from this watch: This watch is designed for a tech-savvy wearer who is fluent in Braille.
BONUS: Tel-Time: Low Vision Talking Chrome Pocket Watch
This classic talking pocket watch is designed for those who could use auditory assistance when telling time, but would rather not wear a talking wrist watch. This watch features a long chain with a clip, and fits flawlessly into a simple pocket. The alarm offers three different ring types.
Pros: Large, bold black numbers on a white face makes this watch easy to see for those with low vision. The time is announced in a loud, clear male voice at the press of a button.
Cons: For some, a pocket watch can be easier to lose and the sound can be slightly more muffled from inside a pocket, as opposed to on a wrist.
Who would benefit from this watch: This pocket watch is designed for those with vision loss or blindness who prefer not to wear a wrist watch.
Luckily, with so many great options on the market, there is something for everyone!
What is the price of your “Time Optics” goldstone talking watch?
Is American English correctly spoken (not with a Chinese accent)?
Can it be heard on a webpage?
Is it available at Takealot in South Africa?
Can it be set for different time zones?
What is the number of the battery and can an extra battery be supplied?
Traditional watches are compact and are often hard to read. But low vision watches include large numbers, high contrast faces and clearly noticeable hands.
I have a Gothen watch for the blind can you tell me any thing about it.