Tactile and large watches

https://youtu.be/21G1W3KYu9c

David from RNIB talks through the latest tactile and large face watches for blind and partially sighted people.

Tactile and large face watches are timepieces specifically designed to help people who are blind or have low vision tell time independently. They come in two broad categories:

1. Tactile Watches (for Blind Users)

Tactile watches allow users to feel the time using touch rather than sight. They’re designed so the wearer can discreetly check the time without needing to see the watch face.

Types of Tactile Watches:

Classic Tactile Watches

Have raised hour markers and distinctive hands (usually metal).
The glass or metal cover opens, allowing users to touch the hands directly.
Some have braille dots at hour positions.

🔧 Example:

RNIB Classic Tactile Watch – Has tactile hour markers with a hinged lid.

Modern Magnetic Tactile Watches (e.g., The Bradley by Eone)

Use ball bearings that move around the face via magnets.
One ball bearing indicates minutes (outer edge), another shows hours (inner dial).
Sleek and discreet — suitable for users with or without sight loss.

🔧 Example:

The Bradley Timepiece – Named after blind Paralympian Bradley Snyder.

2. Large Face Watches (for People with Low Vision)

Large face watches are designed for easy readability by people with low vision. They use high contrast, bold numbers, and oversized hands to maximize visibility.

Key Features:

Large numerals (often 16–20pt size or bigger)
Bold, high-contrast faces (e.g., black numbers on a white background)
Strong backlighting or glow-in-the-dark features
Audio announcements on some digital models

Example:

Talking Watch with Large Face – Displays the time and can speak it aloud at the push of a button.
RNIB Easy-to-See Watch – Bold black hands on a yellow face for maximum contrast.