History Main / GadgetWatches

* A one-shot gadget used on an episode of ''Series/MacGyver'' was a wristwatch with a concealed tracer carried by Pete during a hostage exchange (for Mac to follow at a safe distance). When the hostage takers end up being clever enough to force Pete to get rid of all of his clothes (and later to change cars), Mac is forced to keep giving chase through other methods.

* ''Film/SpyKids2IslandOfLostDreams'' has Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything but tell the time. Gary and Gerti however, receive prototypes that do tell the time [[FlawedPrototype and are several times more bulky for that one additional function]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Metro 2033}}'': Artyom's wristwatch is a handy piece of DiegeticInterface that tells how well-hidden he is via a set of LED's ColorCodedForYourConvenience, and when in sections with poisonous air such as the surface, an additional timer on the watch face indicates how much time is left in the current filter. It's so integral to gameplay that there's a control binding specifically for bringing the watch up for inspection. The hour and minute hands are synced to the computer's clock, so yes, it also tells time. ''VideoGame/MetroLastLight'' changes it to a numerical display of nixie tubes for the computer's clock and a timer when Artyom has his gasmask on, and a blue light on top that switches off when he's hidden from sight. The ''[[UpdatedRerelease Redux]]'' versions of both games have both kinds of watches, with Survival giving Artyom the original analogic one (with the blue lamp system instead of the three LED's) and Spartan featuring the nixie tube model. The nixie tube watch, as far as promotional material indicates, will make a return in ''VideoGame/MetroExodus''.

** To the point that in ''Film/GoldenEye'', when Bond uses his laser watch to cut his way out of a railway car, there was no previous scene of him getting from Q Branch; to the average audience, ''of course'' he would have such a gadget on him. Furthermore, the villain (an ex-MI6 agent himself) took away his watch because he knew it was a gadget of some kind.

* In Creator/KimNewman's ''Literature/DiogenesClub'' stories, it's strongly implied that there's something interesting about Charles Beauregard's pocket watch "with the intricate crystal workings". [[TheMenInBlack The Undertaking]] refuse to let him into their HQ while carrying it, and he ''certainly'' refuses to let them look after it while he's there. Sadly, the glossary page explaining what it ''does'' has been censored by the current Diogenes chairperson.

Often a result of WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys. Can be used as part of a NonuniformUniform. A subtrope of ShoePhone and SuperWristGadget. See also MagicalAccessory for other tricked out trinkets.

* The ''Franchise/DoctorWhoExpandedUniverse'' novel ''Borrowed Time'' has a similar idea, with a twist. The people Mr Symmington and Mr Blenkinsop give their wristwatches to are literally ''borrowing'' the time, and will be expected to pay it back. With compound interest.

->''"All historians agree that UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington's greatest regret was not being [[AC: PERMANENTLY INVISIBLE]]. Now you can succeed where the man who invented America failed. Be invisible forever with the Cloak and Dagger Spy Watch!"''

* Ed's pocketwatch in ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'' is a badge of rank, noting his position as a State Alchemist. These watches allegedly serve as an alchemical amplifier somehow, but this is never really shown (on the original manga. The 2003 series eventually shows that there is a ''very'' tiny False Alchemical Stone concealed within the watch's mechanism). It is mainly used as an ID to access government resources, including a massive expense account.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/SpyKids2IslandOfLostDreams'' has Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything but tell the time. Gary and Gerti however, receive prototypes that do tell the time [[FlawedPrototype and are several times more bulky for that one additional function]].
* Film/JamesBond and other spies use these types of wristwatches all the time. At least for Bond, it becomes something of an {{AssPull}}, since it just so happens to do whatever he needs it for at that moment, [[Film/LiveAndLetDie be it a buzzsaw to cut ropes]], [[Film/{{Goldeneye}} a laser to cut steel]], [[Film/LiveAndLetDie an electromagnet to fetch keys]], [[Film/{{Thunderball}} a Geiger counter]], and so on.

** Also homaged (without credit) in the ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' episode "Time Teasers."
* The ''Franchise/DoctorWhoExpandedUniverse'' novel ''Borrowed Time'' has a similar idea, with a twist. The people Mr Symmington and Mr Blenkinsop give their wristwatches to are literally ''borrowing'' the time, and will be expected to pay it back. With compound interest.

* Series/{{Chuck}} has a "government issue watch" that can be used to trace him. He's also seen talking into it as a way of communication.

** Vortex manipulators (wriststrap teleport/time machines used by Time Agents, and anyone else who gets ahold of one) might also fall under this; one would assume a time machine can tell the time.

* In ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' Zordon kept in touch with the Rangers via a wristwatch-like device. It could also tap into the Command Center's teleportation system (which [[TheSmartGuy Billy]] got it to do ''accidentally!'')

[[folder:Web Comics]]

--> "As a side function, eet deesplays ze time."

Often a result of WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys. Can be used as part of a NonuniformUniform. A subtrope of ShoePhone. See also MagicalAccessory for other tricked out trinkets.

* Funky Koval from the eponymous Polish sci-fi comic had a watch fitted with a miniature buzzsaw he used to cut the ropes he was tied with in one of the books.

* ''Film/SpyKids II'' had Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything but tell the time. Gary and Gerti however, received prototypes that did tell the time [[FlawedPrototype and were several times more bulky for that one additional function.]]

** Also homaged (without credit) in the ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' episode "Time Teasers."

* Scrooge's nephews had one (and caused predictable chaos with it, and allowed villains to steal it, etc.) in the ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' episode "Time Teasers".

* ''VideoGame/{{Metro 2033}}'': Artyom's wristwatch is a handy piece of DiegeticInterface that tells how well-hidden he is via a set of LED's ColorCodedForYourConvenience, and when in sections with poisonous air such as the surface, an additional timer on the watch face indicates how much time is left in the current filter. It's so integral to gameplay that there's a control binding specifically for bringing the watch up for inspection. Two of the hands also tell the time the computer is set to.

* ''VideoGame/{{Metro 2033}}'': Artyom's wristwatch is a handy piece of DiegeticInterface that tells how well-hidden he is via a set of LEDs ColorCodedForYourConvenience, and when in sections with poisonous air such as the surface, an additional timer on the watch face indicates how much time is left in the current filter. It's so integral to gameplay that there's a control binding specifically for bringing the watch up for inspection. Two of the hands also tell the time the computer is set to.

** However, one of them is a pocket watch instead of a wristwatch. Unlike the other activate on demand watches, this watch requires you to take damage with it active before becoming invisible. A big downside, but in return it [[FakingTheDead leaves a false corpse]] to trick enemies into believing you've died, along with a hefty temporary damage reduction. On the downside, it has been {{Nerf}}ed many times, reducing the damage reduction and removing the ability to recharge with ammo packs and dispensers. This was not because of how effective FakingTheDead is ([[TaughtByExperience more experienced players are rarely fooled]]), but because the damage reduction and lack of InvisibilityFlicker when bumping enemies [[NotTheIntendedUse allowed spies to easily survive otherwise certain death]] and quickly recharge to do it again, making it difficult to ensure he's DeaderThanDead.

** However, one of them is a pocket watch instead of a wristwatch. Unlike the other activate on demand watches, this watch requires you to take damage with it active before becoming invisible. A big downside, but in return it [[FakingTheDead leaves a false corpse]] to trick enemies into believing you've died, along with a hefty temporary damage reduction. On the downside, it has been {{Nerf}}ed many times, reducing the damage reduction and removing the ability to recharge with ammo packs and dispensers. This was not because of how effective FakingTheDead is ([[TaughtByExperience more experienced players are rarely fooled]]), but because the damage reduction and lack of CloakFlicker on bumping enemies [[NotTheIntendedUse allowed spies to easily survive otherwise certain death]] and quickly recharge to do it again, making it difficult to ensure he's DeaderThanDead.

** However, one of them is a pocket watch instead of a wristwatch.

* The Spy from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has three different watches, each equipped with a slightly different type of cloaking device.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/GoldenEye http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Laser_watch_6579.jpg]]]]

** The Chameleon Arch pocketwatch in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature "Human Nature"]]/[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood "The Family of Blood"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E11Utopia "Utopia"]] definitely counts as a gadget-watch. It [[spoiler: holds the memories and Time Lord nature of a Time Lord who's going ''so'' deep cover he gives himself FalseMemories and even reads genetically as a human or member of any other target species.]]

* In ''Absolute Obedience'', the Russian [[HoneyTrap spy]] Zhores Barsoukova appeared to have one of these. [[spoiler: It turned out to be a completely ordinary watch, and a decoy from a less compromised spy.]]

* ''Series/DoctorWho'' got there first, with the teleport-wristwatches featured in ''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E5TheKeysOfMarinus The Keys of Marinus]]'' (like ''Series/BlakesSeven'', written by Creator/TerryNation).
** The Seventh Doctor had a pocketwatch scanner, which he used in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS26E4Survival Survival]]"; possibly in other stories as well.
** The Chameleon Arch pocketwatch in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature Human Nature]]"/"[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood The Family of Blood]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E11Utopia Utopia]]" definitely counts as a gadget-watch. It [[spoiler: holds the memories and Time Lord nature of a Time Lord who's going ''so'' deep cover he gives himself FalseMemories and even reads genetically as a human or member of any other target species.]]
** Vortex manipulators (wriststrap teleport/time machines used by Time Agents and River) might also fall under this; one would assume a time machine can tell the time.

* A one-shot gadget used on an episode of ''Series/MacGyver'' was a wristwatch with a concealed tracer carried by Pete during a hostage exchange (for Mac to follow at a safe distance). When the hostage takers end up being clever enough to force Pete to get rid of all of his clothes (and later to change cars), Mac is forced to keep giving chase through other methods.

* Jarrod and Brandi found spy equipment in a storage locker in ''Series/StorageWars'', and among them was one of these, which doubled as a video camera, and could be connected to a computer with a USB cable.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'' got there first, with the teleport-wristwatches featured in ''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E5TheKeysOfMarinus The Keys of Marinus]]'' (like ''Series/BlakesSeven'', written by Creator/TerryNation). The Seventh Doctor had a pocketwatch scanner, which he used in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS26E4Survival Survival]]"; possibly in other stories as well. The Chameleon Arch pocketwatch in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature Human Nature]]"/"[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood The Family of Blood]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E11Utopia Utopia]]" definitely counts as a gadget-watch. It [[spoiler: holds the memories and Time Lord nature of a Time Lord who's going ''so'' deep cover he gives himself FalseMemories and even reads genetically as a human or member of any other target species.]]
** Vortex manipulators (wriststrap teleport/time machines used by Time Agents and River) might also fall under this; one would assume a time machine can tell the time.

* One of ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'''s Memory Gadgets is the Spider Shock, a wristwatch that can turn into a spider robot; it typically functions as a "smart" grappling hook, but can also be used in conjunction with Double's weapons to make "nets".

* ''Series/OpenHeart'' features a fairly low-tech one, as it only has a secret compartment hidden under the watch face. It's still important, though, and Dylan and her father are the only ones who know about it, and Dylan realizes that it was given to another doctor after viewing security footage from the day her dad vanished.
* A one-shot gadget used on an episode of ''Series/MacGyver'' was a wristwatch with a concealed tracer carried by Pete during a hostage exchange (for Mac to follow at a safe distance). When the hostage takers end up being clever enough to force Pete to get rid of all of his clothes (and later to change cars), Mac is forced to keep giving chase through other methods.

* ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'': The pockets, which are universal translators, watches, timers, contract makers and telephones. Plus they float around and can turn invisible.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'''s, which actually {{Lampshaded}} the fact the Omnitrix doesn't tell time. Until ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse'', anyway, where WordOfGod confirms that it actually does tell time now.

* ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget'''s entire hand functions as a gadget watch (among other things). His niece Penny has a more standard Videophone/ Remote watch, however.
* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'' when Sheep is recruited by a spy organization and receives a watch...that can tell the date. When the enemy Mooks look at it, they scream "He has a watch that tells the date! ABORT MISSION!" and start evacuating en masse before the Angry Scientist shows up and says it isn't dangerous.
* Scrooge's nephews had one (and caused predictable chaos with it, and allowed villains to steal it, etc.) in the ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' episode "Time Teasers".
* ''WesternAnimation/ClueClub'''s wristwatches have a pager function.
* WesternAnimation/SecretSquirrel has a watch that when opens up has a squirt gun that douses the fuse of the missile to which he's tied in his show's TitleSequence. Not to mention it held a television that linked him to Double Q in two other episodes.
* For one of their friendship anniversaries, WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}} gives Lydia a wristwatch - specifically, a "Droolex." It has a calendar function and performs a few other mundane tasks; however, rather unintentionally, it also sprouts bat wings and flies away.
* The Amulet of Merlin used by the Trollhunters in''WesternAnimation/{{Trollhunters}}'' bare many resemblances to a pocket watch, including the various clockwork dials in it turning when the Amulet is activated.

* In ''The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything'' by John D. [=MacDonald=], the hero inherits a gold pocket watch that stops time for everyone but the person holding it.