TELLING THE TIME AND SO MUCH MORE

Watches such as the Timex Humvee, left, and Dakota Digital Compass do more than just tell the time.

The Dakota Data Bank watch stores information as well as the time.

The Max Tech Data Bank watch shows world time, stores telephone numbers and wishes the user a good day.

The Cartman South Park "C Watch" is popular with young people.

Your doctor said you're supposed to monitor your heart rate while jogging. Your boss wants to call China, and you need to know what time it is there. In your spare time you're helping your son train for a marathon and want to know his best time. Your wife said you'd better not forget your anniversary again this year.

So, how do you keep track of all this? Simple, just look at your wrist. That is, if you're wearing one of today's high-tech watches. Watches have come a long way from that gold-encased masterpiece your grandfather pulled from his pocket.

Watches come in every size, shape, color and price range imaginable. Casio offers a model with an internal barometer and bearing sensor. Just a push of a button will give the temperature. Traveling in new areas will be a cinch with the 16 directional digital compass.

The Seiko Kinetic watch relies on human movement to keep it running. No battery is required for this quartz watch. According to Seiko, this watch is 100 times more accurate than a mechanical watch.

Eco-Drive, one of Citizen's Solar-Tech 180 titanium series watches is equipped with a light-powered, renewable energy source that helps protect the environment. As added features, it has a calendar, quick start function, low charge indicator and is water resistant to 200 meters.

Chase-Durer offers a black steel Special Forces Underwater Demolition chronograph watch. The illumination system is so advanced that the hands and numbers glow continuously for 20 years. Also available are diving watches that keep track of your dive to 1,000 feet.

Timex has taken a big technological leap with its Ironman series. The Ironman Triathlon with data link offers wireless personal computer to watch communications. By using provided software or with the optional data link adapter, data can be transferred from your computer or notebook personal computer. The watch features a 50-lap stopwatch/chronograph, five built-in timers, storage for 38 phone numbers, alarms and reminders that will display a 15-character scrolling message.

To tap into the recreational vehicle market, Timex also offers a Humvee. The band and case are designed to give a sport utility look.

Heather Neskas, manager of Coopers Watchworks in West Park Mall, says popular sellers have been watches with the new day-glo face. "They are designed to catch the light making it easier to read the time," said Neskas.

Neskas also pointed out models with full-function calculators and speaking watches for those visually impaired.

All these high-tech innovations are not just for adults. The virtual reality pet comes with a watchband adapter. In addition to caring for your pet, you can also get the time by pushing a button.

Newest on the market for the younger set are C Watches. Depending on the model chosen, the time and various other messages are delivered orally. Especially popular are the South Park characters.

If you haven't quite progressed to the high-tech age, never fear. There are still some old-fashioned watches out there that do nothing more than display the time.