This blog post explores why we still insist on analog watches even in an era where digital technology is ubiquitous, and the sentiment and meaning embedded within them.
In the famous Japanese detective manga Detective Conan, Conan always wears a wristwatch. Conan’s wristwatch hides a tranquilizer gun, which he uses to put Mouri Kogoro to sleep and take over the detective work. As the manga’s serialization spans over 20 years, the author’s intent to reflect changing times—like the evolution of phones into smartphones—is evident. Yet one thing remains unchanged over the years: Conan’s wristwatch. While the wristwatch is essential for using the tranquilizer gun, why hasn’t Conan replaced it with a new design or technology?
In fact, not just in manga, but in our daily lives too, it’s easy to spot men wearing analog wristwatches. From luxury watches to ordinary ones, surprisingly many people still prefer analog watches. In the 21st century, with more convenient devices like smartwatches, digital watches, and smartphones available, why do men insist on analog watches?
We haven’t been using wristwatches for as long as you might think. In the Middle Ages, time was measured using sundials and water clocks, and knowing the time was a privilege reserved for the few. To inform the masses of the time, bells were rung, or people estimated the passage of time by following the movement of sunlight. The watches we wear on our wrists today only became small enough to be worn and developed into portable timepieces by the 19th century. Thus, watches gradually became popular. The oldest recorded wristwatch is known to have been worn by Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon I.
By the 20th century, wristwatches were firmly established for the masses. Before that, pocket watches were common, and wristwatches were used only by those with specific purposes. As production technology advanced, watches became more accessible items, and today, anyone can easily wear a wristwatch.
However, with technological progress, the emergence of digital watches and smartwatches seemed to overshadow analog watches for a time. Yet, analog watches still hold a solid position. What makes people stick with analog watches?
An analog watch is not merely a machine. It is a symbol that visually represents the passage of time. Analog signifies the natural and traditional, a tool that allows one to ‘physically’ feel the flow of time. Even in an era where digital devices ‘digitize’ everything and display it efficiently, analog watches gently show the passage of time through the movement of hour and minute hands. Though they may not provide the instant, precise time like digital watches, the inherent ‘naturalness’ within them captivates people.
Modern society is saturated with digital devices. Our smartphones, computers, even our cars—everything has been digitized, resulting in a life lived at breakneck speed. Yet, within this fast-paced existence, people often yearn for the slow, steady rhythm of analog. For instance, in the midst of a busy routine, pausing to watch the second hand of a clock slowly tick by allows us to rediscover the charm of analog timepieces. It’s akin to escaping the bustling city to find the tranquility of nature.
Conan’s steadfast preference for analog watches might align with this sentiment. Times may change, but Conan’s wristwatch remains unchanged. Much like the timelessness inherent in analog watches, people use them to connect the past and present, bridging tradition and modernity.
A wristwatch holds meaning beyond being a simple timepiece. While its role as a fashion item is significant, it also reflects people’s sensibilities and tastes. Particularly among men, watches are considered a quintessential accessory alongside automobiles. In this regard, the enduring popularity of analog watches is noteworthy.
In an era where digital technology dominates everything, people often fail to realize they are surrounded by digital devices. Yet, wristwatches often remain analog. This might be an act to fill a certain ‘sense of loss’ humans feel within a digitized world. A nostalgia for things that remain unchanged over time, and a desire for something simpler and more intuitive, are encapsulated in this small analog tool.
Conan’s continued wearing of an analog watch can also be considered an extension of this trend. The analog watch lingering in the digital age might be a symbol of humanity’s instinctive longing and regret. We gained convenience through digital technology, yet simultaneously feel as if we’ve lost something important. Could it be that people wear analog watches on their wrists precisely to fill that sense of loss?
Thus, the wristwatch holds meaning beyond being a simple machine, remaining a timeless presence in the lives of modern people.
