Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. The face clock upon my office’s wall is a constant clicking reminder of time passing; a reminder that there’s work to be done or lunch to be had, and eventually it’ll prompt me that it’s time to go home. Once I’m home, my kitchen’s clock will hint when I should prepare dinner and eventually begin getting ready for bed.
Now, think about the “simple” invention we refer to as a clock for a moment… how many times do you look at it throughout the day? Checking the time is something taken for granted by many, especially since it’s so readily available to view on our smartphone, alarms, computers, etc. But did you ever think about this luxury not being accessible to all?
Individuals with visual impairments encounter many obstacles, but something as simple as knowing what time it is shouldn’t be one of them. Yes, many smartphones have accessibility features that announce the time when prompted… But what if you wanted something more discreet? Like say…a watch? Of course talking clocks and watches have been around for several years now, but I wanted to provide you all with a list of unique options available for you or your loved ones!
3 Watch Brands for the Blind or Visually Impaired
1. Almeda
First up on our list is Almeda, the six-alarm timepiece. According 
to its website, the concept for the Almeda timepiece “evolved from conversations with aging but still active friends and relatives. Their health problems often necessitate taking regimens of medications at different times of the day and/or night. They articulated a wish for a way to be clearly reminded of a way to be alerted of these scheduled times. Some others said they would like a multi alarm watch to keep track of a busy day with appointments and deadlines. But nobody wanted something that looked ‘medical’ or too ‘mechanical’ and everybody wanted primarily privacy–hence the vibration alarm concept.”
Features:
- Classic look
- Water resistant
- Ideal for any occasion: formal, dress, sport and casual.
- Easy time setting and reading with traditional hands and dial
- Perfect for important reminders (e.g. medications, appointments, dates, etc.)
- Vibrating Alarm is silent and does not alert anyone around the wearer.
To browse the Almeda collection, click here.
2. Time Optics
Time Optics features “the latest technology in talking watches.” 
The company is committed to providing the greatest quality talking watches on the market. Time Optics offers a large selection of talking watches for men, women and children.
Features:
- Available for men, women, and children.
- Also offers assortment of low vision watches
- Features a Unique Custom Tooled Talking IC Watch Chip:
- “Using our own voice chip, we have developed the first talking watch to feature a Dual Voice along with an alarm feature. Both (male or female) voices speak the time, day, date, year, and added alarm feature that can be turned on or off.”
Click here to browse the many different options available in the Time Optics collection.
3. Eone
Eone (pronounced like the letter “E” and the number “1”) was 
founded with an innovative spirit and “an unwavering mission: to create fashionable products that are accessible for everyone.” Their name, Eone, is short for “everyone” reflecting their desire to serve everyone. Their debut product–The Bradley Timepiece– was created to accommodate both sighted and users with visual impairments equally.
Features:
- The Bradley is named after Brad Snyder, an ex naval-officer who lost his eyesight in an explosion in Afghanistan.
- Created in collaboration with product designers, engineers, and indivisuals with vision loss, “The Bradley changes the way we interact with our timepieces by allowing users to see and touch the time.”
- Tactile innovation:
- Instead of traditional watch hands, time is indicated by two ball bearings–one indicating minutes (on top), the other indicating hours (on the side).
- To learn more about the design of the Bradley click here.