nonwatch

Nonwatch is a term used in some horological, design, and media discussions to describe timekeeping concepts, devices, or practices that do not rely on a wristwatch as the primary time source. It is not a formal category in mainstream horology but a descriptive label for alternatives to wearable timepieces.

Examples include public clocks, tower clocks, alarm clocks, desk clocks, and sundials. Digital interfaces such as smartphones and computers display time without being worn; in many contexts these are considered nonwatch time sources because they are not worn on the body.

In design and user experience, nonwatch emphasizes ambient or shared time cues, such as wall clocks in a room or timetable displays in a transit hub. It sometimes appears in discussions about minimalism or anti-wear aesthetics, contrasting with the ubiquity of personal smartwatches.

Etymology: the term is a simple compound of "non" and "watch," used to differentiate non-wristwatch timekeeping from wristwatches. It lacks a formal definition and is more common in informal discourse.

See also: horology, timekeeping devices, clocks, watches, sundials.