Shows the time as numerals on a screen and stacks on alarms, timers and a light.
Also called: ana-digi, LCD
Measurement
Around 15 to 30 seconds a month
The basics
What to know about digital
A digital watch is quartz underneath. The same crystal counts out seconds, but instead of driving hands a chip writes numerals to a liquid crystal screen. Once there is a chip, functions cost almost nothing to add. That is why digital watches carry multiple alarms, a stopwatch to a hundredth of a second, countdown timers, world time and a backlight. Ana digi models pair a small screen with real hands.
Screens draw very little current, so batteries often run five to ten years rather than two to five. Cases are often resin, which absorbs shock better than steel and scratches more visibly. Read the water rating literally. A mark of 30 meters or 3 ATM means splashes only, and 100 meters covers swimming. Only a watch marked as a diver's watch to the ISO 6425 standard is built for scuba use.
Limits show over time. The polarizing film in an LCD degrades after a decade or so and the display fades or blotches, and screens are rarely worth replacing. Small buttons need a firm press and are awkward in gloves. Digital reads casual almost everywhere, so it is the wrong choice where a watch is part of formal dress. Resale value is close to zero outside a few collected models.
Best for
When it works well
Sport and utility wear suits digital, because a resin case shrugs off impacts that would dent steel.
Children's first watches work well here, as the time is readable at a glance and the watch is cheap to replace.
Daily alarms and timers come built in, which saves reaching for a phone.
Night use is easy, since a backlight is standard and needs no charging by daylight.
