A few weeks back, I was sitting with some non-Hill friends when I picked up my Blackberry to check the time, because like many people in the Age of the Smart Phone, I’ve stopped wearing a watch.  The second my hand touched the keyboard, my friend completely blew a gasket.  (Apparently, regular people hate when Crackberry addicts use right in from of them.) So I decided that it was probably time to buy a real watch.  

I went to Nordstrom and tried on 20 watches.  There were tortoise shell ones, lucite ones, silver ones, rose gold ones and even one with a woven Burberry band.  But none of them would do.  They all seemed so heavy and cumbersome after years of free-wristing it.  

I went to a sporting good store and tried my Dad’s brand of choice, Luminox.  But if you think the company that makes watches for Navy Seals makes one to fit these skinny, chicken wrists, you are wrong.  Even the ladies’ size hung from my arm like a boat anchor.  But then, I spotted them, so tiny in their little plastic cases, and I was in love.

Pixel Moda Sport Watch ($20)

Now, I know what you’re going to say, “Belle, why are you telling time with a digital Silly Band?,” but you are so wrong.

First off, I chose the Pixel Moda watch because it’s light, less than 10 grams.  So light, that I completely forget that I’m wearing it.  This is a good thing.

Secondly, while it comes in over 20 really fun and sometimes chic colors, you can buy basic shades as well.  I chose a standard grey but they also have black.  

So you don’t have to buy the hot pink one, unless you really want to.  When I buy a second one, I’m going for the pretty royal purple shade above.

Third, when I don’t want people to notice the watch, I just turn the face to the inside, and all you see is a thin (1/4 inch) rubber band.  Toss on a couple of bangles and you’d never know that I was wearing a watch at all.

Fourth, it fits my wrist.  To give you a sense of what an accomplishment this is, let me explain that with my last, metal watch, I had to have a jeweler remove nine links to make it fit.  Nine.  So having a watch that comes in small, medium and large is awesome.

Lastly, it works up to 99ft under water.  Of course, if I’m three atmospheres under the sea, I have bigger problems than what time it is.  But I guess this means it’s waterproof and durable.

So while the watch may look a bit silly, it’s cost effective and perfect for someone who wants to own a timepiece not made by RIM.  Now I can tell what time it is without making my friends feel like my e-mail addiction is more important than whatever it is they’re prattling on about.  Just kidding, honey, just kidding.