The Best Nurse Watches to Be Stylish And on Time for Every Shift

Written by Ankita Kandade, Certified Fashion Expert
Updated on Feb 23, 2024
Nurse Watches to Be Stylish And on Time for Every Shift
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A watch that does not interrupt your workflow and helps nurses to deliver quality care to their patients while adding a dash of style may feel a little too hard to find. That’s why, we’ve curated a list of some of the best nurse watches that have been extensively researched to make your search feel like a breeze. We understand that although accurate timekeeping is one of the key purposes, hygiene, safety, and convenience are equally important in a healthcare setting. 

As a healthcare practitioner, one frequently comes in contact with harmful and infectious environments. Moreover, to attend to patients and assist in surgeries, they need to constantly sanitize to reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens. Therefore, nurse watches are specially designed with water-resistant and easy-to-clean materials, such as silicone or plastic bands that keep infection control in mind. Additionally, they also have features like a second hand for accurately measuring vital signs like pulse rates, a date display, luminous hands, and dials for easier visibility in low-light conditions. So, let us further discuss some of our favorite watches so that you can make an informed decision while choosing the perfect one

9 Best Nurse Watches

This fashionable watch with a second hand for nurses from Wristology is made especially for the convenience of medical professionals – it has a large 38mm oversized, easy-to-read dial with Arabic numbers that makes it easy to keep track of proper time. With this quartz medical watch, you can take pulse readings, medication intervals, and tests with accuracy and ease. Additionally, it has awesome features like 30-meter water resistance, a durable Japanese quartz watch movement and battery, and a heavy-duty genuine leather band, making it perfect for anyone working in the medical field such as nurses, teachers, vets, phlebotomists, health professionals, etc. or even senior citizens.

Pros
  • Easily to read the time
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Has a second hand
  • Genuine leather band
  • Durable
Cons
  • The face may be quite big for some
  • Best Dial Design

    TICCI Unisex Medical Quartz Watch

    TICCI Unisex Medical Quartz Watch
  • Get ready to ace work with TICCI’s unisex quartz watch that features a large dial in a 38mm case and easy-to-read big fonts with 12 & 24-hour markers. This Japanese quartz analog watch has a 3-hand movement that helps to keep the time accurate, and it also has a long-running battery. The second-hand is of contrasting color that helps you to read the military time easily. It comes in two kinds of dial colors, black and white, and the white one additionally has glow-in-the-dark properties too. Plus, it comes with a lightweight, flexible, and comfortable, soft band that is made from high-quality silicone. It is available in different colors which are easy to clean with water or alcohol. These watches can also withstand water exposure up to 30m, making them a perfect gift for medical professionals.

    Pros
    • Has a convenient dial
    • Comes with a long-lasting battery
    • 3-hand movements
    • The wristband is durable
    • Can be cleaned with water
    Cons
    • The band may come undone with force
  • Most Easy to Clean

    Speidel Scrub Watch

    Speidel Scrub Watch
  • With an extremely legible 3-Hand Japanese quartz movement, 12 & 24-hour markers, and a white dial, this Speidel Scrub watch is all you need while tending to your patients. The watch is smartly designed with luminous hour and minute hands, a pulsometer, and a vibrant red second hand that helps you to take accurate pulse readings effortlessly. It features a 38MM, 5ATM case and fits a wide range of wrist sizes from 5" (127mm) to 7.8" (198.12mm). The wristband is made out of durable, soft, and easy-to-clean 100% silicone. The stainless steel case back is water resistant up to 50M(160ft), making it very suitable for hand washing, showering, and swimming – this also makes it highly convenient for you to conduct operations, analyze fluid samples, sanitize and scrub your hands, etc. Plus, the professional watch also comes in a variety of colors to match your scrubs including pink, light pink, gray, black, white, teal, blue, and many more.

    Pros
    • Water-resistant
    • Sturdy, steel case
    • Soft and comfortable wristband
    • Reliable hand movements
    • Comes in an array of colors
    Cons
    • The pulsometer may be too small
  • Most Comfortable Strap

    OLEVS Business Dress Watch

    OLEVS Business Dress Watch
  • Ladies, this watch will make you look professional in work clothes while also being fun and stylish when you wear casual outfits. OLEVS business dress watch comes with a quartz movement, luminous hour and minute hands, and an easily readable second hand that is worth your money. It helps you to take accurate pulse readings easily. The silicone wrist strap looks very fashionable and is made from high-quality and super-soft silicone which is easy to clean as well. After we tried this watch, we noticed that the 38mm watch case diameter, waterproof properties, fit for most people's sizes, and luminous function make it extremely suitable for healthcare professionals.

    Pros
    • Easy to clean
    • Legible in the dark
    • Fits a wide range of wrist sizes
    • 30M waterproof
    • Stylish design
    Cons
    • The color may wear out with time
  • Best Value for Money

    WISHFAN Nurse Analog Watch

    WISHFAN Nurse Analog Watch
  • This nurse watch by WISHFAN has a simple appearance, a large dial design, and an LED backlight display, which allows you to check the time during both the day and night. It has a 50m (5ATM) water resistance, making it convenient to be used even in the swimming pool, or in the rain. However, you need to note that it cannot be operated underwater. Made with a durable, soft, and high-quality TPU strap and a stainless steel buckle closure, these watches with a straightforward design is extremely smooth and comfortable to wear. Additionally, it also features imported Japanese quartz movements, a high-quality battery, and a glass resin mirror surface that is drop-resistant.

    Pros
    • Luminous hands
    • Superior-grade quartz movements
    • Sturdy dial
    • Comfortable to wear
    • Value for money
    Cons
    • The dial may be too big
  • Best for Low-light Environments

    Dakota Light Up Nurse Watch

    Dakota Light Up Nurse Watch
  • Keeping time can now be fun and trendy with Dakota‘s 9.5" long and 1.5" wide (38mm) nurse watch. It comes with a soft, vibrant silicone band that is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to clean. The large dial is brightly colored with a special Moonglow EL light-up feature for convenient viewing in dim or dark places. Featuring luminescent hour and minute hands with dial markers and a contrasting red second hand, this watch helps you work efficiently even in poor lighting conditions. This watch is made with Japanese quartz movement, hardened mineral crystal, and a stainless steel case. It is 165 feet water resistant, which is great for busy nurses and medical professionals since hand washing is a vital and frequent action.

    Pros
    • Unique EL light-up feature
    • Sturdy case
    • Visible in the dark
    • Lightweight design
    • Trendy look
    Cons
    • It may look bigger than shown
  • Most Water-resistant

    NBONAL Nurse Watch

    NBONAL Nurse Watch
  • With high-quality imported quartz movement, this analog watch by NBONAL is made from 36mm stainless steel and 50M water-resistant material for nurses to keep time accurately. It comes with a cream-white dial and military-style time – the super luminous dial lights up after absorbing enough light, making it easy to read. Also, the watch comes with a soft silicone strap that has a stainless steel buckle which is extremely comfortable, durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. The wristband fits a wide range of sizes from 5.7"(145mm) to 8.7"(220mm). Based on our firsthand experience, we felt that it was a good-quality wristwatch that helps in keeping time easily, even in the dark.

    Pros
    • Easy-to-read watches
    • High accuracy
    • Super luminous
    • Color does not fade
    • Comfortable
    Cons
    • May require frequent time-adjustments
  • Best for Casual Wear

    PINDOWS Nurse Watch

    PINDOWS Nurse Watch
  • This trustworthy Japanese movement watch by PINDOWS has a luminous dial with a 12/24 hour display, luminous hour and minute hands, and a vivid red-colored second hand, making it perfect to conduct accurate pulse readings for surgeons, nurses, medical students and professionals. It comes in a 38mm Case and a wristband that fits most sizes from 5 inches (127mm) To 7.2 inches (183mm). The soft and comfortable silicone band can be easily wiped clean using water or alcohol, along with a surgical grade, hard mineral tempered glass mirror, strong transparency, and abrasion resistance, which make it a worthwhile investment.

    Pros
    • 30m waterproof
    • Suitable for rough use
    • Long-lasting luminosity
    • High-quality stainless steel
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • The wristband may not be very breathable
  • Most Durable

    IK COLOURING Minimalist Watch

    IK COLOURING Minimalist Watch

  • IK Colouring’s minimalistic watch has a high-functional original Chronograph quartz movement and luminous properties – this makes it a great option for health care professionals. This watch comes with a 3-hand analog display, a large glass dial, and a long-term running battery that is highly durable and precise. The high-hardness mineral dial window is scratch-resistant and smooth. The watch band is made from soft and comfortable silicone material that comes with an adjustable rubber strap with a pin buckle for removal and links to fit your wrist size. You will find this watch in an extensive range of colors to match your style preferences.

    Pros
    • Durable design
    • Comfortable wear
    • Adjustable size
    • Wide color range
    • Long battery life
    Cons
    • May have calibration issues

    Now that we’ve taken a look at the best nurse watches out there, let’s find out how you can easily choose the right one.

     

    Types of Watches for Nurses

    The two main types of nurse watch available in the market are lapel watches and wristwatches.

    1. Lapel watches: These classic design watches are specifically made for healthcare professionals to wear on the lapel or uniform. Unlike traditional watches, these do not have a wristband but rather feature a pin-back or clip attachment with a simple dial and clear markings. This ensures that the watches do not come in frequent contact with patients or contaminants, thus maintaining high infection control. Moreover, these watches are highly convenient as one can easily access, and carry the watch without having to remove it while washing their hands. Therefore, lapel watches are a practical and functional alternative to wristwatches for nurses. 

    2. Wristwatches: Wristwatches are the most common types of nurse watches that have a dial and two bands that can be used to secure around the wrist. They are specially made for healthcare workers and come with a large dial with backlighting, easy-to-clean wristbands made of plastic or silicone, luminous hands, and long-running battery life. This makes wristwatches convenient, accessible, and efficient for timekeeping which adds an element of fashion too. 

    Additionally, watches can also be categorized in terms of display types. There are three main categories namely, analog, digital, and smart watches. 

    1. Analog: These are traditional display designs wherein there is a mechanical or quartz system that moves the hour, minute, and second hands. These timeless pieces feature hour markers or numbers to indicate the hours. Sometimes, they may also have minute markers in between. They are simple and familiar which makes them popular and ideal choice for both casual and formal events. 

    2. Digital:  These watches digitally display time on an LCD or LED screen. The hours, minutes, and seconds can be read in the form of digits which provides more accuracy. They also have extra features like alarms, stopwatches, and calendar settings. Therefore, watches with digital displays are the easiest and most precise way of timekeeping. 

    3. Smartwatches: These are modern and advanced timekeeping devices that have features similar to a smartphone. With a touchscreen display, they offer access to features like phone notifications, fitness tracking, GPS navigation, music playback, sleep tracking, medical setting, etc. They can be connected to your smartphones for convenient access and control of the various functions it offers. Therefore, these watches provide high functionality, easy accessibility, and a modern style.

    What to Look for In The Best Nurse Watches

    While selecting the best nursing watches it is essential for you to keep certain key features in mind that will add efficiency to your workflow, enhance your performance and add overall value to your purchase. Some of the most important aspects are:

    1. Dial Design: While searching for nurse watches, you may come across a lot of different dial features such as one with a 12-hour display cycle or military time, a secondhand or a second counter, and different display sizes ranging from small, medium, or large, easy-to-read numbers and watch faces containing illuminated or backlit display.  Therefore, to help narrow your options you need to understand your motive and consider your work environment. If you work in departments with low lighting or night shifts then go for larger dials with backlight features for better visibility. Similarly, if you need to constantly check the time, it is better to go for one with bigger numbers. 

    2. Material: Nurses are required to constantly maintain a hygienic and germ-free environment. Therefore, it is essential to keep this in mind while selecting a watch too. Ensure that the material of the watch you select is easy to clean, soft, breathable, and skin-friendly. This is because the watch has to be able to survive multiple hand washes without causing harm to the skin and must be comfortable to wear during long work hours. Usually, the bands of nurse watches are made of plastic, resin, silicone, or rubber, and the body is made of water-resistant stainless steel. These materials are ideal for frequent hand washing and are considered a non-irritant for the skin. If you have allergies to certain materials, it’s important to check whether the watch comprises hypoallergenic components to minimize the risk of an allergic response. Lastly, look for water-resistant watches – they are beneficial, especially if you need to wash your hands regularly. Therefore careful scrutiny of watch material before buying a nurse watch is essential for longevity, convenience, and for saving money in the long run. 

    3. Practical Features: Different types of watches have different features to offer. Whether you prefer a simple analog watch with a second hand or a digital watch with a stopwatch and alarm features or a smartwatch with advanced, smartphone features options depends totally on your individual preference. If you require a watch just to keep time while performing your duty an analog or digital watch is enough but if you have vital information easily accessible right on your wrists then go with a smartwatch. Therefore considering your requirements and budget, choose the best nursing watch that offers the right features. 

    In conclusion, our list of best nurse watches provides invaluable guidance for healthcare professionals in choosing a convenient and reliable watch that can survive their intense work environments. Nurse watches usually come in two different styles, namely wristwatches or lapel watches, which are designed keeping nurses in mind. Moreover, they also provide features like easier accessibility, infection control, durability, and long-running functionality without compromising on style. Therefore, these functional and attractively designed watches play a key role in helping nurses to carry out precise timekeeping while checking a patient’s vitals, and providing a faster and more efficient workflow while also offering a professional look.

    FAQ's

    What watch should a nurse have?
    A nurse should have a watch that contains certain crucial features like a large dial with backlighting, luminous hands, a water-resistant body, easy-to-clean wristbands made of plastic or silicone, luminous hands, and long-running battery life.
    Why do nurses wear watches on the inside of their wrists?
    They do this so that it is easier to keep track of time while checking a patient’s heartbeat, blood pressure, etc.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Ankita is a budding journalist and a certified fashion expert. If the fashion police were an official organization, Ankita would definitely be a member of it as she patrols the internet for new trends and blunders that are associated with the fashion industry. She believes that watches for nurses are more than just basic accessories. They offer the function of timekeeping while also allowing them to monitor their patient’s vitals. Ankita makes sure that her experience and knowledge become the foundation of all the content she puts forward to her readers. Storytelling, dancing, reading novels, and binge-watching movies are her favorite pastime activities. 

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    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Ankita Kandade
    Certified Fashion Expert

    Ankita is a budding journalist and a certified fashion expert. If the Fashion police were an official organization, A More