History Main / GadgetWatches

* Erio's [[BladeOnAStick Strada]] in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' comes in watch form when not in use, serving as both TransformationTrinket and communicator.

* Faye Valentine of ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' had a bracelet that controlled her CoolStarship and an anklet that controlled [[NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught weighted dice]].

* Youji from ''Anime/WeissKreuz'' hides his garrote wire inside his already cool-looking diver's watch.

In fiction, a bracelet is never just a bracelet and a watch never just tells time. They serve some sort of function. Sometimes, multiple functions. They unlock doors, teleport you places, and create miniature harpoons. They're the super Swiss army knife of wrist wear.

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. Compare BillionaireWristband, which serves the function of signifying how rich its wearer is.

* 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.

* Before ''ComicBook/OneMoreDay'', ComicBook/SpiderMan had given Mary Jane Watson a webshooter disguised as a charm-bracelet.

* ''ComicStrip/DickTracy'''s [[CommLinks radio wrist watch]] is one of the earliest examples of this, having been conceived way back in TheForties when actual radios still had vacuum tubes. More importantly, Tracy's has received upgraded versions with additional functions over the years to keep it up to date.

* ''VideoGame/Metro2033'': 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. 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 analog one (with the blue lamp system instead of the three [=LEDs=]) and Spartan featuring the nixie tube model. The nixie tube watch makes a return in ''VideoGame/MetroExodus''.

* In ''VideoGame/SecretAgentBarbie'', a watch is used by Franchise/{{Barbie}} to communicate with her friends back at base while she’s on a mission. When it's not being used in this way, it functions as a minimap/GPS type thing.

** The stock Invis Watch gives him a time-based cloak that can be recharged by collecting ammo packs, and has the softest cloak/decloak sound.

** The Dead Ringer is different in that it doesn't have cloak on demand; rather, it's a "feign death" device that drops a ragdoll when the Spy takes damage with it active, cloaks him and gives him a speed and damage resistance buff so he can get away easier, at the cost of not being easily activated by the Spy himself, taking the longest time to recharge and being totally unable to recharge from ammo packs, and having a ''thunderous'' decloak sound that can be heard even during intense firefights. Unlike the other two, the Dead Ringer is a pocket watch.

* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' has [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-12-31 walkie talkie watches]]. Not much compared to a cellphone or a real walkie-talkie, but it's fun, convenient (though less so than a headset) and concealed.

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

* ''WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol'' has Ryder wearing it on his Right arm. And its still a pup pad with a wristwatch strap, portable and waterproof, and uses it for special missions.

* Brock, Rusty, and the eponymous brothers in ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' have watches that act as video communicators, as well as contain GPS trackers so they can find each other. Rusty's brother JJ uses a device concealed in his collar instead, [[LampshadeHanging pointing out]] that watches are impractical, since in the event of being captured, the villain will almost certainly bind your hands.

* In ''Video/Game/AbsoluteObedience'', 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.]]

** The [[Series/KagakuSentaiDynaman Dynaman]] GagDub actually calls its TransformationTrinkets Gadget Watches.

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.

* ''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. 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 analog one (with the blue lamp system instead of the three [=LEDs=]) and Spartan featuring the nixie tube model. The nixie tube watch makes a return in ''VideoGame/MetroExodus''.

** The Dead Ringer is different in that it doesn't have cloak on demand; rather, it's a "feign death" device that drops a ragdoll when the Spy takes damage with it active, cloaks him and gives him a speed and damage resistance buff so he can get away easier, at the cost of not being easily activated by the Spy himself, taking the longest time to recharge and being totally unable to recharge from ammo packs, and having a ''thunderous'' decloak sound that can be heard even during intense firefights.

* The Spy from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has three different watches, each equipped with a slightly different type of [[InvisibilityCloak cloaking device]].
** 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 and escape otherwise certain death]] and quickly recharge to do it again, making it difficult to ensure he's DeaderThanDead.

* ''Film/UndercoverBrother''. Smart Brother gave the title character a watch that could spritz hot sauce on white people's food to make it palatable.

* ''Manga/GiantRobo'': Daisaku controls the eponymous giant robot with one.

* In ''Manga/DetectiveConan'', Conan Edogawa's watch has a tranquilizer dart launcher built into it; Conan uses his watch to knock his caretaker Kogoro asleep, before laying down deductions under his name while he's knocked out. It also has a very bright torch.

* ''Film/SpyKids2IslandOfLostDreams'' has Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything ''[[MindScrew except]]'' tell the time (according to the watch's creator, there just wasn't any more space left for the actual clock part). Gary and Gerti however, receive prototypes that do tell the time [[FlawedPrototype and are several times more bulky for that one additional function]].

* In ''Manga/DrStone'', Joel crafts a fancy watch [[spoiler:that contains a secret radio, which he uses to play Why-Man's message and activate the confiscated petrification device.]]

* In ''Manga/DetectiveConan'', Conan Edogawa's watch has a stun gun plus a very bright torch.

* Chao's [[spoiler:time machine]] in ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' looks like a large pocket watch.

* ''ComicBook/Batlash'' carries a pocketwatch case with a derringer concealed inside it. At least once, when someone had the drop on him and was about to shoot, Bat asked if he could take his watch so he could note the exact time of death. confused, the gunman agreed and...

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* ''Anime/TheBigO'': Roger Smith uses one to summon the titular HumongousMecha--plus, it has a grappling hook and a laser.
* In ''[[Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman Gatchaman]]'', The Science Ninja Team needed their watches (sometimes called "bracelets" but hey, it was the seventies) to transform, plus they contained a communications device and a gadget that could be slipped in to track radio waves. But when that was being used, the communicator didn't work.
* Erio's [[BladeOnAStick Strada]] in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' comes in watch form when not in use, serving as both TransformationTrinket and communicator.
* Chao's [[spoiler:time machine]] in ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' looks like a large pocket watch.

* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': Lupin's wristwatch can contain any number of cool things, but a grappling hook is seen the most often.
* Faye Valentine of ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' had a bracelet that controlled her CoolStarship and an anklet that controlled [[NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught weighted dice]].
* ''Manga/GiantRobo'': Daisaku controls the eponymous giant robot with one.
* Youji from ''Anime/WeissKreuz'' hides his garrote wire inside his already cool-looking diver's watch.

* ComicBook/JimmyOlsen in ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' has his Signal Watch, which tells the time and gives off a high-pitched frequency that Superman can hear. Originally, it was a present from Superman to Olsen; ComicBook/PostCrisis, Olsen invented it himself, and Superman sometimes finds it a nuisance.

* ComicBook/FunkyKoval 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.

* The GoldenAge ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' villain the Time-Keeper used a stopwatch that stopped time for everyone except himself and his minions.

** Largely averted in the Creator/DanielCraig era films, which have fewer gadgets, and Bond has ordinary (if stylish and expensive) watches. In ''Film/{{Spectre}}'', Bond even asks Q what the watch does. Q flatly replies that it tells time, but it does have a "loud" alarm. [[spoiler:Sure enough, the watch can be turned into a bomb]]

* ''Film/OnceUponASpy'': When Chenault and Tannehill are sent out to search for Valorium's base, they are issued with a pair of watches that are homing beacons; allowing the wearer of one watch to tell how close they are to the other.

[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* The Tracy Brothers in ''Series/{{Thunderbirds}}'' communicated with each other using these.
[[/folder]]

* Dragon magazine #130 had an article with 17 special watches for use in ''Top Secret''.

* The COMP terminals from certain games in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series serve various functions. In all games, they contain a ''Demon Summoning Program'' used to call demons that you have contracts with. In ''IMAGINE Online'', it also holds the Demonic Compendium and the chat program as well. Certain hacked [=COMPs=] serve as dungeons, and some special [=COMPs=] can style your hair!

* 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.]]
* The Spy from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has three different watches, each equipped with a slightly different type of [[InvisibilityCloak cloaking device]].
** 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 and escape otherwise certain death]] and quickly recharge to do it again, making it difficult to ensure he's DeaderThanDead.
* The titular character's Spy-Watch in the ''VideoGame/SpyFox'' games, which doubles as the main menu. It [[FridgeLogic doesn't tell time]] until the third and final game.

* The titular VideoGame/YokaiWatch can detect nearby Yo-kai and summon ones that have been befriended.
* ''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. 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 analog one (with the blue lamp system instead of the three [=LEDs=]) and Spartan featuring the nixie tube model. The nixie tube watch makes a return in ''VideoGame/MetroExodus''.
* ''Franchise/JamesBond'' video games under Creator/ElectronicArts' label frequently include gadgets in Bond's watch. As in ''VideoGame/GoldenEye1997'', a laser is the most common, followed by things like grappling hooks, knockout darts, and/or a non-lethal taser, among others, depending on the game.

* WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle parodied Dick Tracy's two-way radio wristwatch (when it was still mainly such) with Boris having a two-way wrist ''television'' watch. When Natasha expresses surprise, Boris responds: "I'll show that Dick Tracy!"
* WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol has Ryder wearing it on his Right arm. And its still a pup pad with a wristwatch strap, portable and waterproof, and uses it for special missions.

[[caption-width-right:350:It also tells time.]]

->''"All historians agree that George Washington'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!"''

* ''Film/SpyKids2IslandOfLostDreams'' has Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything ''[[MindScrew except]]'' 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]].

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.

* 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.

* ''Film/UndercoverBrother''. Smart Brother gave the title character a watch that could spritz hot sauce on white people's food to make it edible.

* ''Film/SpyKids2IslandOfLostDreams'' has Juni and Carmen receive special watches that did everything ''except'' 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]].