There’s no way around it: as a nurse, you have to keep time like an accountant billing against the clock. Every second matters.
There’s no room for the nurse who wants to use a smartphone for managing time. In the healthcare industry, who has a hand free or time enough to pull out a phone on the run, wake it up, and then read the clock?
That’s impractical, not to mention impossible in workplaces where cell phones are forbidden. You’ve gotta go with an actual watch. Plus, most nurses prefer a clock with a stopwatch on it to make their jobs easier.
Whether you prefer the fob watch, the wristwatch, or the pocket watch, there are further customizations to each watch option to let the world know what you are about. That’s the centre of our bullseye.

What is a Fob Watch and Why Do Nurses Wear Them?

Fob watches look similar to classic pocket watches, but instead of being tucked away when not in use, this watch type remains accessible via a short band that connects it to a person’s clothing. This makes the fob watch ideal for nurses, who need constant access to the time without having to fumble for it.

A striking feature of the fob watch that makes it especially useful for nurses is that the watch face appears to be upside down. This is so that when it’s clipped to your clothing, you can look down and get a right-side-up view of the current time.

History of the Fob Watch

The fob watch is actually a type of pocket watch. This variation was widely used in the 1800s, but they’d already been around for almost a century by then. The word “fob” comes from the German word “fuppe,” which translates to “pocket” in English.

An evolution from the standard pocket watch, the fob watch offered an easier-to-access model that could be attached to clothing without pockets (like waistcoats), which was a big draw for women of the time.

Interestingly enough, there are regional preferences for wearable timekeepers. Fob watches are not as popular in the United States, but British nurses and those in Australia are much more familiar with them. In England and other parts of Europe, a fob watch is a traditional gift for a nursing school graduate.

While nurses in the U.S. are not as likely to use fob watches as those in other countries, the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps instructed nurses to wear only a “plain watch fob” during World War I, banning other types of jewellery.

Transition to Nursing

Nurses realized that they would need a hands-free option for checking time because their hands were often covered in something or busy with a procedure. Fob watches offered a convenient way for nurses to have access to the time constantly without sanitation concerns.

Once news spread that the fob watch was the perfect solution for nurses, they began being marketed to the demographic and the rest is history.

The New History of the Nurse’s Fob Watch

Technological advancements have changed the available options for fob watches significantly. Now, there are countless variations available for nurses to choose from. In addition to practical features, modern fob watches have personalization options that nurses can take advantage of to add a bit of their personality to their accessories.

The newest fob watches on the market have advanced features like touch screens and smart watch capabilities, giving nurses fingertip access to everything they need without having to carry a phone. We’ve come a long way from the watches used in the Victorian era!

The classic fob watch

There is no watch setup more classic than the nurse’s fob watch. Across nursing roles, it’s the single most universally functional design.

The fob watch is always where you need it, in view.
You get hand’s free time.
Fob watches don’t smash against door frames and desks.
The fob is tough.

Nurses have always appreciated that reading the fob watch while on the run is as easy as glancing down.

In case you’re unfamiliar, the fob positions the face of the timepiece upside down, easily read when leaning forward by glancing towards your chest. Sly nurses recite the time as if it’s come to them in a vision, “the time is now…” making only a brief glance down.

Within the category of the fob watch, as with any watch, there are several variations…

Clip-on fob watches

For the nurse who doesn’t want to poke a hole in every pair of scrubs, the clip-on fob is a good way to go. Sadly, clipped versions are less common than the pinned ones.
Swiss Medical Clip Watches – yes, really made in Switzerland – are a good example of a clip watch that clips on and stays on all shift long.

Benefits of Clip-on Fob Watches

Stylistically, clip-on fob watches are simple, as in Swiss-simple. That just means all the non-simple stuff is where you can’t see it.

The watch face itself is eleven c

rystal clear numbers (the 6 is where the date appears) and 60 pips in a ring around the face to count the minutes or seconds.

Pin fob watches

If you don’t mind pinning your fob to your lapel, there are way more options. Pin fobs have a safety pin that you can thread through your uniform in the preferred location.
A simple example of this sort of timepiece would be the Medshop-branded fob we carry for a very affordable price in silver or gold. That one connects the timepiece to the lapel via a chain.
If you'd prefer a more fixed version, look at the one from Classique, which moves much less. You’ll pay more for a pinned fob like the Classique, but you get Swiss movement and a rose gold option. Not all pinned fobs are metal, though.

Benefits of Pin Fob Watches

Pin fob watches are great for nurses who want to pin their watches to their clothing for a sturdier hold. They come in loads of sleek, beautiful designs like this Prestige Glow Lapel Watch, and are generally more cost-effective than other options. They can be worn like a brooch, pinned to scrubs or coats for easy access.

Silicone fob watches

From the front, the silicon fob watches look clean and simple. They pin to your lapel like the watches mentioned in the last section, but they look like they’re floating.

Medshop carries two types of high-quality fob watch faces, both of which we manufacture ourselves. The first is a simple face, and the other is a quartz version.

There are almost 40 different colours and patterns available, and swapping the face into a different silicone case takes about 20 seconds. You can change the look of your fob as often as you change your socks, which is hopefully often.

Medshop carries two types of fob watch faces, one which is a simple face we manufacture ourselves, and a quartz version we also make.

Both allow you to swap your fob colour as often as you like. The quartz face is little more rugged, though.

Benefits of Silicone Fob Watches

Nurses who prefer silicone fob watches like that they allow you to change the look of your watch as often as you’d like. Silicone is also naturally water resistant, making it a good option for professions that come into contact with fluids.

There are almost 40 different colours and patterns available, and swapping the face into a different silicone case takes about 20 seconds. You can collect a few of your favourites to change them out when your mood strikes! Take a look at this Silicone Fob Watch Kit (SKU KIT00284) for a mix of great colours.

The simple nurse’s watch

Some nurses prefer to wear a timepiece they can wear outside of work since a fob looks a little silly pinned to your t-shirt when meeting friends for coffee. Since a watch is often a favorite among women’s accessories, some people find it important that their watch has versatility.

We really like this interchangeable watch by Annie Apple that can easily transition from work wear to a gorgeous wearable accessory. (Reviewers say the rose gold colour is even more beautiful in person!)

Why Pocket Watches Don’t Work Well

From time to time, stylish nurses decide they’re going to go the fashionable route by donning the pocket watch.

Once upon a time, these were lovely timepieces for rail station masters to wear, and they’ve enjoyed their day in the sun as casual fashions come and go, but as a functional nursing watch? We can’t recommend it.

Alternatively, if you absolutely can’t imagine wearing a fob or wrist-based watch, you might consider a stethoscope watch.

There is one made by Prestige which adheres to the back of your stethoscope. It won’t be as convenient as a fob, but at least you won’t have to dig in your pocket to fish it out.

Don’t forget watch batteries

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Finally, don’t forget the batteries. Unless your ideal set-up is a crystal-powered watch, there’s a good chance you’ll need batteries for your watch.

Have extra batteries on hand for your watch. Keep them in a sealed plastic baggie in the refrigerator, and stay ahead of time.

Conclusion

If you’re still not sure which fob watch to buy, pick up a simple silicone fob watch with some colour options to start. You can always upgrade to something fancier later once you know what you like.

This is your touch of uniform whimsy. Choose wisely!

Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.