Watches Tell More Than Time

手錶不只能報時
From cool Japanese styles to multi-function models, watches make a statement
by Beth Bowyer Wei 用你所戴的手表来表态

In today's world of cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman Says a watch is "an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function. " Many young adults agree-and use their cell phones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business.

And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

device-machine or a tool use for some purpose. 装置，仪器
With this mobile device, I can listen to music, play games and surf the Internet.
*This special device shows where the patients are located in the hospital.
*The device the doctor put in her chest regulates her heartbeats. 调节
consumers -you use it or buy it, you are a consumer. 消费者，用户
Angry consumers called the store to complain about the damaged products they had purchased.
consume- 消费，消耗
*The rise of oil prices impacts all consumers.
*Consumers should be educated about their rights.
*Consumer spending decreased dramatically last year.
popularity-many people know about it or use it. 受欢迎的，流行。
Social networking websites are increasing in popularity. Even my grandmother uses one!
popular- 受欢迎
*The movie's success boosted the actor's popularity.
*Many companies have started to notice the increasing popularity of organic food.有机食物
accuracy-Some universities don't allow students to use information from wikis because of problems with the sites' accuracy.
function-refer to the job or roll of a person or something.
make a statement--communicate something without word.
crossroads-two streets cross--十字交叉路口。come to a point you need to choice which direction should go.timepiece- a piece of equipment that tell time, watches, clocks are timepieces.
accessory-not essential, not necessary but it does add something to look good or more style on you. Watches are now communicate more than just tell time.

Chat Room

tool- anything help you something. hammer, screwdriver etc help you to do physical work.
-it also can be something that help you to do some particular work.

tools of the trade--专业用的器具。(a group of tool)
are the things you need to use or do a specific job. like hair stylist need a group of
hair tool to cut or style people's hair. 梳子，剪刀等
utensils-- 部插电的厨房用具，刀叉，饭瓢，铲子等。
cooking utensils, eating utensils. tools in kitchen not use electricity.
appliance-- 插电的厨房器具，烤面包机，洗碗机，冰箱等
electrical machine use in the kitchen. tools in kitchen need electricity to make them work.
instrument--很精密细小的 仪器。如外科用的解剖刀（scalpel）
refer to a tool usually is very small but used by a special trained person, such as scalpel.