Best Easy to Read Watches for the Elderly

It’s no surprise that as we age our eyesight deteriorates. It’s important to get regular check-ups to ensure it isn’t anything more serious but once this is confirmed you still need to work around your new vision limitations (1). A quick solution in terms of telling the time is finding the best easy to read watch for the elderly.

Everyone loves watches. They make a fashion statement yet serve the purpose of keeping us on track throughout the day. However, as we age, we begin to have trouble with reading watches. The numerals seem to recede into the background. Or, we can’t discern between the hand of the watch and the hash marks that tell the time. It becomes very frustrating for many senior citizens.

There is a solution that allows you to sport a watch every day and still be able to actually read it. You must find an easy to read watch for seniors. These elegant watches are the perfect solution for those with low vision or senior citizens.

But how do you know what type of watch to shop for?

The Ram Research crew has done the research and identified the best easy to read watches for elderly folks. Read on to learn more.

12 Best Easy to Read Watches for Elderly People

1. Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster

Are you a senior gentleman who still likes to be on-trend? When you know you need a larger face watch but don’t want to give up luxury and fashion, consider the Citizen Men’s Eco Drive Promaster Diver Watch. It’s a marriage of form and function that is sure to please.

Key Features

• Solar-powered
• Urethane watch band with extender and buckle closure
• Stainless steel case
• Illuminated hands and hour marks
• Analog display
• 5 year limited warranty

This watch is ruggedly constructed. If you should happen to forget to remove it before you bathe, no problem—it’s water-resistant. This also means that you don’t need to struggle to put the watch on each day if you suffer from arthritis. Put it on, set it, and wear it 24/7.

The best part about the Eco-Drive watch line is that the watches are solar-powered. You never need to purchase a battery. This means you don’t need to go to the jewelry store to wait for a battery replacement or spend the money on a battery that’s too tiny for you to change ever again.

The Eco-Drive system stores solar power smartly. No need to worry if your power goes out for a couple of days. The watch holds power for several days, even without any sunlight!

Pros

• Solar power saves you money on replacing batteries
• Water-resistant dive watch—you don’t need to remove it to shower
• Easy to read dial
• Easy to set
• Illuminated hands are easy to identify
• Stainless steel case won’t rust
• Urethane band comes with an extender for larger wrists
• Citizen offers a 5-year warranty for watch purchases in the USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, Ireland, and the Caribbean
• Arrives inside a handsome gift box
• Show-stopping appearance

Cons

• Buckle closure could be hard for a senior with arthritis to manage
• Urethane watch might not be “dressy” enough for some occasions

The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch is an investment piece that you’ll have for years to come. Plus, it’s a risk-free purchase as you are backed by the Citizen 5-year warranty.

2. Timex Men’s Easy Reader Large Dial Watch

When it comes to famous watchmakers, you know the name Timex. This company has been crafting its fantastic watches for 165 years. Their brand has set the standard for high-quality fabrication at a price point that everyone can afford since 1854.

Key Features

• Large Arabic numerals
• Indiglo backlighting
• Stainless steel case
• Easy to set via the watch post
• Black leather strap with buckle
• Water-resistant
• One-year Timex international warranty
• Black face with bright white numerals make this watch easy to read and surprisingly stylish

Beyond their century and a half of watchmaking experience, they stand behind their craftsmanship with a one-year international warranty.

The “Easy Reader” model is not new to the Timex brand. The model is an icon that’s remained popular for over forty years!

Pros

• Indiglo technology backlights the watch face for convenient use at night
• Clean, easy to read design
• Stainless steel case is water-resistant
• Black band constructed with genuine leather
• Battery life is up to 10 years
• Mineral glass cover resists scratches

Cons

• Buckle might be difficult for some seniors to put on and off alone
• Leather bands wear out faster than the timepieces

Timex has made timepieces for 165 years. They are a name that you can trust and take pride in delivering quality watches for affordable prices. Plus, you are covered by the one-year warranty. This is a must-try watch—if it fails in the first year, you will get free repair or replacement.

3. Disney Men’s Mickey Mouse Silver-Tone Watch

Are you a senior man who loves a touch of whimsy? Do your grandchildren love Mickey Mouse? If you answered “yes” to either one of those questions, the Disney Men’s Mickey Mouse Silver-Tone Watch could be the watch for you.

Key Features

• Bright white background
• Features Mickey Mouse
• Mickey’s hands are the hour and minute hands
• Large Arabic numerals
• Synthetic black leather band
• Buckle closure
• Arrives in a gift box
• Quartz movement
• Some water resistance
• One-year warranty

It’s considered one of the best easy to read watches for elderly folks because it’s designed for easy reading. The bright Mickey graphic doesn’t interfere with the ease of telling time on this watch.

Entertain those grandchildren when you sport this Mickey Mouse watch and teach them how to tell time the “old school way” on a moving watch.

Pros

• Easy to read face
• Whimsical Mickey Mouse graphic
• Large numbers are easy to see
• Includes a one-year warranty
• Easy to set the time
• One-year Disney warranty

Cons

• Minor water resistance, not suitable for immersion in water
• No description available of the expected battery life

The Disney Men’s Mickey Mouse Silver-Tone Watch will allow you to get back in touch with your favorite childhood character and show the world you’re still young at heart! Remember that once you buy this watch, you’re covered by a one-year warranty.

4. Casio Men’s ‘Classic’ Quartz Resin Casual Watch

If you are shopping for (or you are) a senior man who still enjoys sports or the outdoors, you probably require a watch that’s as rugged as you are. The Casio Men’s Classic Quartz Resin Casual Watch is on our “Best Easy to Read Watches for Elderly” list because the digital display is clear and easily readable.

Key Features

• Water-resistant
• Black urethane band
• Set alarm
• Calendar feature
• Quartz movement
• 7-year battery
• Illumination feature to light up the face at night
• 1-Year warranty

However, you’ll find some other delightful features on this watch that will surprise you, considering the low cost.  It’s also water-resistant, includes a calendar, has a stopwatch and you can set alarms. It’s perfect for the sporty senior.

All of those included features add up to tremendous value for you.

Pros

• Urethane black band is tough enough for everyday use
• One-year Casio warranty covers repairs for one-year
• Easy to understand digital display in Arabic numbers
• Water-resistant, no need to remove for daily tasks
• Set alarm to wake up in the morning or as a medication reminder
• Stopwatch feature
• “Illuminator” function to light up the display in the evening
• 7-year battery is included
• Arrives in a gift box

Cons

• Some seniors have difficulty setting time and alarms on digital watches and could need assistance
• Urethane band is not “dressy” enough for some occasions

Remember, you’re covered by the Casio one-year warranty against defects in the watch. This means that you can take it to a Casio dealer for repair that year, making this purchase an easy “yes!”

5. Mens Ultrathin 6.5mm Wrist Watch

While most of the watches that we recommend as the best easy to read watches for elderly men have Arabic or digital numerals, this one is an exception. Here’s why. The Olevs Men Minimalist Watch has a clean design with hour markings that are large and easy to read.

It’s our nod to the requisite dress watch that’s a must-have in every man’s wardrobe regardless of age.

Key Features

• Black band and dial
• Gold-tone hour marks and hands
• Buckle closure
• Easy to set
• Ultra-thin bezel
• Arrives in an Olevs box
• Some water resistance
• Quartz movement
• Includes battery

A dressy watch is a staple that every man must keep available for special occasions. This offers tremendous value with a clean design that makes it easy to read watch for seniors.

Pros

• Lightweight design makes the watch comfortable to wear
• Adjustable buckle closure to fit almost any man
• Includes the battery
• Removable straps, so you can change them up whenever you want to
• Stylish, dressy appearance

Cons

• No mention of a warranty in any of our research
• Buckle could be difficult for some seniors to use

The only other issue is that this watch is not a swim watch; could cause a problem if the senior forgets to remove it before bathing. 

6. PASOY Men’s Luminous Watch

Designed for fashion and convenience, the Pasoy Men’s Luminous Waterproof Swim Watch is a handsome watch for a man at any age. It features a gorgeous green face with illuminated hour marks, making the time easy to distinguish even during the nighttime.

Key Features

• Fashionable appearance
• Stainless steel band and clasp
• Easy closure
• Tritium hour markers
• Quartz movement
• Analog display
• Water-resistant
• Battery included

The stainless steel band and easy-closure clasp resist rust and the waterproof case allows the senior to swim, shower, or go boating without fear of getting it wet—or worse, losing it if he removes it!

You won’t need to worry about removing your watch for day-to-day activities such as washing the car or hopping into the pool! This is considered a “swim watch,” so you are good to go!

Pros

• Tritium hour markers make the watch easy to read
• Water-resistant allows you to wear the watch all day, every day
• Buckle-free clasp for easy on and off
• Analog numerals in a clear font
• Stainless steel case and band will resist corrosion
• Attractive green face

Cons

• Possible trips to jeweler for occasional battery replacement, which can be inconvenient for seniors
• Some might not prefer the green face
• Our research did not indicate any mention of a warranty

For the man who knows that he must seek out an easy to read watch for seniors but still wants to maintain a certain style, the Pasoy Men’s Tritium Green Waterproof Watch is a must-have. Order it and you’ll see the quality with your own eyes.

7. Casio Women’s Baby-G Shock-Resistant Sport Watch

An active senior woman needs a watch that can keep up with her. She might meet her match with the Casio Baby G White DigiWatch. It’s a shock-resistant watch that can withstand the shock of a drop or even a day of swimming or boating.

Key Features

• Set 5 alarms with distinctive rings
• Water-resistant
• LED lighting for night use
• Stopwatch
• Sturdy resin watch band
• One year manufacturer’s warranty
• Expected battery life is two years
• Comes with gift box

It has a bold appearance because of its bright stainless steel case sent on a white resin sports band and includes easy to read Arabic numerals.

Today’s seniors aren’t aging while sitting down. We are living longer, more active lives and demand a watch that will suit her active life.

Pros

• Can set 5 separate alarms for waking up, taking medications, or other reminders
• Water-resistant, you can wear it for showering, swimming without worry
• Easy to read Arabic numerals
• Date and day feature is large enough to see
• Shock-resistant if you drop it
• One-year Casio warranty
• Sporty appearance

Cons

• Digital watches can be difficult for seniors to set until they get the hang of it; may require assistance

With a feminine but rugged watch like the Casio Baby G, you can continue your active lifestyle without worry. Plus, you can purchase backed by the one-year warranty. Give this one a try.

8. Sutton by Armitron Women’s Easy to Read

Do you need a watch for elderly use that will slip on and off without a clasp? Some seniors are more concerned with the ability to fasten a watch than they are with seeing the face of the watch. This watch gives the senior an easy to wear option that is also easy to read.

Key Features

• Two-tone silver and gold-tone finish will match her entire wardrobe
• Easy to read Arabic numerals
• Bright white face
• Quartz movement
• Battery-powered
• Band expands to pull on and off without fasteners
• Minor water resistance
• Comes with gift box

It’s a beautiful two-tone silver tone and gold-tone finish that will match almost all her other jewelry, so she will always look put together.

Don’t let your favorite senior lady feel left out. She can still wear a watch despite her impaired hand mobility. It’s all about selecting the right band, and this one is it.

Pros

• Watch slips on and off over the hand without fasteners
• Easy to read
• Easy to set the watch
• One-year Armitron repair warranty

Cons

• Warranty requires the purchaser to return the watch by mail if a repair is needed
• Not waterproof

If your favorite senior citizen wants to wear a watch but can’t manage a buckle or clasp, the Sutton by Armitron expansion watch with over the wrist style is the perfect solution. This is a great value for a stylish watch.

9. Comtex Women’s Watches

A watch for elderly ladies doesn’t need to be boring! The Comtex Women’s Watch keeps her on-trend with the latest rage. Add the stylish look with an easy to read face, and you have a winner of a watch.

Key Features

• Black leather band with buckle closure
• Easy to read face
• Numerals: 3,6,9,12 combined with hour marks
• Battery-powered
• Comes in a gift box
• Stylish synthetic diamonds

The band will go with every outfit and the synthetic diamonds add some nice touches of bling to really dress up this watch.

This is one of the best easy to read watches for dressing up on special occasions.

Pros

• Easy to read
• Easy watch to set
• Arrives in a gift box with cleaning cloth and instructions, ready to wrap up
• Stylish appearance
• One year full replacement warranty
• One week refund offer

Cons

• Not waterproof

Comtex is a perfect watch for elderly people who are sometimes timid about online purchases. In addition to the one-year warranty, the company offers a one-week refund to let her try the watch out for one week and get her money back if not happy with it. That’s a reassurance that makes this a risk-free purchase.

10.Timex Women’s Gold-Tone Watch

Every lady—senior ladies included—needs a casual watch to wear for daily wear around the house or for an afternoon of shopping with the girls. The Timex Women’s Weekender Gold-Tone Watch fits the bill in a beautiful style.

Key Features

• Easy to read display
• Made in the USA
• Gold-tone furnishings
• Black nylon removable strap
• Scratch-resistant face
• Buckle closure
• Arrives in Timex gift box
• One year Timex warranty

This is a watch that is among the best easy to read watches for elderly ladies because of the clear Arabic numerals on a bright white face. In addition, you can light up the face at night with Timex’s Indiglo backlighting feature.

While this watch comes with a black nylon band (which is like your never out of style little black dress), you can purchase additional bands to interchange whenever the mood strikes.

With a Timex, you can rest assured of quality and attention to detail. Their craftsmanship is virtually unparalleled in any other value watch brand.

Pros

• Band is removeable/interchangeable—purchase additional bands to play up the color
• Easy to read display
• Stylish gold-tone accents
• Easy to set the watch via the post
• Water-resistant so she can wear it confidently
• Indiglo backlighting for evening use
• Timex warranty

Cons

• Buckle closure could be difficult for some seniors to operate
• Unsure of expected lifespan of the battery

Make this purchase. You will be confident knowing that she’s backed by Timex’s famous one-year warranty.

11. Swatch Originals Unisex Watch

Does your favorite senior lady love all things pink? While Swatch might be best known as a brand for younger people, here’s a little-known fact. It’s an easy to read watch for seniors! The bright and colorful display on this watch features bright white numerals on a hot pink face, making it super easy to read!

Key Features

• Stylish, pretty pink color
• Easy to read display with white Arabic numerals on pink background
• Quartz movement
• Plastic band
• Buckle closure
• Minor water resistance

We are confident that you’ll be “tickled pink” with the Swatch Originals Dragon Fruit Soft Pink Watch.

Pros

• Durable plastic strap is perfect for everyday wear around the home and garden
• Very easy to read, clean font Arabic numbers
• Hour and minute hands are black with white tips so they are easy to see
• Stylish and trendy in style
• Two-year Swatch warranty against defects in workmanship

Cons

• Buckle style closure could be difficult to use
• Face does not illuminate at night
• Minor water resistance, not a swim watch

While many watch manufacturers offer a standard one-year warranty, Swatch takes it a step further. They guarantee their watches to be free of defects for a full two years. Don’t pass up on the opportunity to own a reliable and fashionable watch with that kind of guarantee!

12. Pulsar Women’s ‘Ladies Dress Solar’ Watch

Our final easy to read watch for seniors is the Pulsar Easy Style Watch. This offers her the convenience of a high-quality solar-powered watch at a value price point. Solar technology means that her watch will never give up on her unexpectedly. Plus, she won’t need to head off to the store to figure out which is the correct battery.

Key Features

• Stainless steel band with clasp closure
• Solar-powered
• Minor water resistance
• Scratch-resistant glass on face
• Large Roman numerals
• Watch is easy to set using the post
• Pulsar box included for gift-giving

Add to that, this is a beautiful and classically styled watch that will never go out of fashion. It’s a watch she’s sure to love.

While our research indicates that Arabic numerals are normally preferred by seniors, the enlarged Roman numerals on the face of this watch are easy to read, allowing us to be confident in including it on our list of Best Easy to Read Watches for Elderly women.

This solar watch is powered by light. That doesn’t mean only sunlight—this gathers energy from all light sources, making it effective even for those who don’t spend much time outdoors.

Pros

• Solar-powered, so she will never worry about a watch battery again
• Attractive stainless steel appearance
• Easy to read dial and easy to set the watch
• Includes one-year Pulsar repair warranty

Cons

• Not waterproof

If you’re hesitant about a solar watch, there’s no need! In the unlikely event that this watch fails to work in the first year, Pulsar will repair it for you. You can be confident in making this purchase.

Key Features to Look For

A watch for elderly people will have features that make it easier to read. Some features you should look out for include:

• Larger faces – larger faces mean that the numbers can be larger; therefore, they will be easier to read.
• Backlighting—a watch face or hands that illuminate can make for a much better watch for elderly people.
• Easy to read numerals—clear fonts with Arabic numerals that are easily distinguished from the background are a key element to finding a watch for elderly people.
• Enlarged numerals—larger numerals will be easier for an older person to read.
• Easy to put on and take off—clasps and bands should be simple to use even when the senior experiences hand mobility impairment.
• Easy to set the time—Make sure setting the watch is uncomplicated and easy to understand. Otherwise, the senior might never use it.
• Water-resistant—Consider whether the senior will remember to remove the watch prior to bathing. If they are forgetful, this is a must to ensure watch longevity.
• Battery life—For seniors who can’t drive, it’s difficult to leave home to replace batteries. A watch that uses a battery with a longer lifespan or a solar-powered model might be the best option.

Bottom Line

Every senior citizen has unique capabilities and challenges. Only you know what watch will work best for yourself or your loved one. So, you might need to purchase a watch with a large face and enormous numerals to help keep time all day long or a watch with a band that’s easy to manage.

One thing is clear. The best easy to read watches for the elderly vary according to the person’s individual needs. While their vision is of primary consideration, remember to keep in mind their mobility and ease of setting the time as secondary considerations.

Whether for yourself or the elderly person in your life, the team at Ram Research have also reviewed the following posts for seniors:

• Bras for the Elderly
• GPS Trackers for Seniors
• Step Stools
• Velcro Shoes
• Easy Read Watches

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References:

1. Moran Eye Centre. 2016. VISION CHANGES AS WE AGE: WHAT’S NORMAL, WHAT’S NOT?
   https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2016/09/vision.changes.php