Random question: Would you wear a $300 watch to work

Marshall1 · Jul 27, 2013

I wouldn't wear a $300 watch period. Too much else can be done w/that money - pay other bills, help someone else out, donate to charity...plus, with germs, potential for loss/breakage when working with a patient - why risk it?

akinaRN · Jul 27, 2013

The only thing I wear jewelry wise to work is my wedding ring (and if it was a big blingy rock, I wouldn't even wear that--punches through gloves). When you have to worry about your watch/bracelet/jewelry while you're trying to do patient care, there's a problem. And I'd prefer not to get any "goodies" on my jewelry--and it's bound to happen someday. :)

allnurses Guide · Jul 27, 2013

I wear my watch to work; in fact I have it on constantly. My mom got it for me; I don't

know what she paid for it but I kinda assume it wasn't that much. It's a UofL (Louisville)

watch.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2013

My opinion (fact) a wristwatch is a huge fomite.
In regards to the specific original question: the cost of the watch is a moot point, watches are like little bacteria-sponges. Expensive or cheap, doesn't matter.

That's what I was thinking! If the OP's concern is "INFECTION!" how is the cost of the watch relevant here?

My DH gave me a watch for our 10th anniversary which was appraised at $11,000. I would never have bought that for myself, would never have even had a thought about buying an expensive watch, but it has diamonds around the bezel and is quite lovely. It's really more of a piece of jewelry. If I'd sold it or demanded he take it back, it would really have hurt his feelings. I will probably leave it to one of my daughters someday if they want it.

If I could get my wedding ring off, I would not wear it to work. Even though I'm trying to lose weight and am getting closer and closer to my goal, I still can't get it off. My fingers retain water so easily, so I've always noticed variation in how loosely it fits. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to take it on and off easily.

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Jul 27, 2013

I do wear my ($80) watch and wedding set to work. Gloves fit beautifully over my rings and my watch is water (and bleach) resistant. I would love a >$300 watch, but I'd probably go for some other jewelry instead, as I only ever wear a watch at work.

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 27, 2013

Years ago, I was wearing a ring I treasured to work. Part way through the shift, I noticed it was gone. I was frantic. The ring doesn't have a lot of monetary value, but it's worth millions in sentimental meaning. Bless my co-workers...they went through the trash (including biohazard and chemo trash). My manager even went down to the dock where the trucks take trash that's been packed up. The boxes for that day had been taken to the refuse station by the time she got there.

I was desolate. When I got home, I was cleaning out my purse, and lo and behold! My ring was at the bottom of my purse. You can be sure I never wore rings to work after that.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2013

On the infection control issue, cracks and crevices in jewelry can harbor bacteria. Also, you cannot adequately get underneath rings and wristwatches to sufficiently remove bacteria. If you do take your watch off before a procedure, make sure you do so before washing your hands, as bacteria from the watch are transferred to your hands when you touch the watch to remove it.

My personal preference is to remove my rings and bracelet before I work, and wear my wristwatch high up on my wrist (three of my fingerwidths above my ulnar prominence) so that I can wash all the way up to my wrists. I clean my wristwatch ($35 Timex Expedition with Indiglo) periodically with antimicrobial wipes, and I take it off to shower so that I can clean my arm underneath it.

Although I would never pay $300 for a watch, I certainly wouldn't sneeze at such a gift. But would I wear it to work? Probably not.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2013

I wear my wedding & engagement ring and a Citizen watch every day. I've had a couple of cheapo watches that didn't last too long. I'm too worried about losing my engagement ring after I saw The Fountain and I'm so scared I'll leave it someplace, it'll get knocked down and vacuumed, etc.

jddm163 · Jul 28, 2013

well I guess it depends on how you define expensive

jddm163 · Jul 28, 2013

you gotta live now incase you don't make it to retire...

I know too many who have retired with plans to see the world and die two weeks to a year later...

seemerun · Jul 28, 2013

I definitely would not.

A) I hate watches. I mean I like the way they look but I don't like the way they feel and I never remember to look at them anyway. I just use the clocks in the room - they show the seconds.

B) 300 is expensive for a watch! I mean its fine - people spend that on other stuff - a tattoo, boots whatever. But it's a good chunk of change and I would feel a little awkward wearing it.

C) I work in L&D and I envision water breaking during an exam. :-) yuck! Yes, I know - you could wear it on your other arm or whatever but it's still a funny gross visual...

Fiona59 · Jul 28, 2013

The husband just bought his 18th watch today. It's a guy thing. Every time he buys one, he swears it's the final one. Yup, sure.

I wear fob watches. Pin it on left breast side of my uniform. The patients love them for some reason. I buy the cheapest I can find because over the years I've smashed the faces on a couple, one died after going through the wash. I was tired and forgot to take it off my top and the husband did the laundry.

I don't wear my "good" wedding ring to work. I have a plain gold band that I wear, has no engraving. Studs are it for earrings.

My hospital actually has a dress code for hair, nails, rings, etc. Yet to see it enforced but the mood my unit manager is in, why give her a chance to nag me!