I posted this on a different referee board, but I'm curious about the watch (or watches) you use. I just bought an Optimumtime large face watch to go with my Digi Sport watch. I also have a Timex Ironman that I use for my running and as my backup watch. The biggest question I have is whether you use a watch that beeps. I just like to have a watch beep when I approach the end of injury time, and the Digi Sport does just that at the end of regular time, with 30 seconds left in added time, and at the end of added time. I know some referees don't like using a beeping watch, but I'll trade the beeping for a watch that allows me to keep track of added time.
I like my DIGI Sport. It beeps, but not very loudly. I can hear it, but I've never noticed the players paying any attention to it.
I use a regular old Timex Ironman watch in stopwatch mode. I never (or rarely) use the countdown timer, I simply use the stopwatch.
I use two Casio watches with target timers (counts up and gives slight beep when target is hit), though I usually have my right watch count down while the other counts up. This helps me calculate times which is not a strong point for me when I have the mental noise from reffing clouding my wee brain. I can handle this without a problem outside of a game, but that's another issue I guess. The target timer will beep, but it very quiet and short. If anyone hears it, I'll just note that this is the end of normal time and let them know how much is added. I'll stop the right watch with about a minute left, but if I forget to do that, it is covered by a wristband, so the noise is dimmed. I make notes concerning the approx length of long stoppages or delays and look at this before the end of normal time to decide what, if anything, to add. I did use a digi watch for a while, but the battery died pretty fast. I also tended to forget to stop the stoppage timer, so it wasn't effective for me.
I use the Digi as well, and keep a regular count up stop watch as a back-up. To minimize the beeping issue, I start the game with a minute already on the stoppage timer. Sherman
I use the adidas watch from the last World Cup. Counts down and gives 5 beeps with 5 mins left, 3 beeps with 3 mins left, and one beep with 1 min. left. Then at zero it beeps for a few seconds and starts counting up. I like it, but they are pricey. Whenever we are watching a game though my friends all ask me if I am going to explode when the watch starts it's beeping at 0:00 which is a rather fast beeping signal.
Glen, is there a website for that Adidas watch? I'd be interested to see that one. How expensive was it? I admit I'm kind of a watch freak, and it's not really from officiating. I figure that it's the only piece of jewelry I wear, so I might as well have some fun with them.
Must....resist....new....watch....toys.... One of the older gentleman that does games near me (Italian I believe) just usues a analog watch with a second hand.
Using an analog watch, writing down the start time, expected finish, and marking added time was how we were all instructed to record and keep time, during my first referee career. Stop watches, used by some, were frowned upon. Digital LCD wristwatches were about two years away from being invented. The paper clock works very well for the 11 on 11 game and I stayed with it during the beginning of my current (second) referee career. Where it did not work well was for tournaments, particularly the 6V6 which are on a very tight schedule and allow for no added time. Of course, once you realize the digital stop and sports watches are so much easier, you end up using them for everything, but I still write down the start time of each half in my book and it is still required for the match report. Sherman
MidwestRef, I also have an Optimumtime, and love it. I swapped out the plastic band with a fabric one, and it quickly became required equipment. The battery ran out over the winter, and I had to pout a bit, because I had to use my "spare" watches instead. Of course, it does beep, but unless I'm standing right next to another player, I'm the only one that hears it, which is quite nice.
Sorry, I couldn't resist having a third watch. I've had too much trouble with my Digi Sport losing buttons. I did call the distributor and get a supply of spare buttons.