Question:
I’d like to wear a decent watch that has a “sweeping second hand”. A Rolex is an example. I’d never spend that much on a watch, but a watch with a decent band that doesn’t pull out hairs and looks corporate usually has a mechanical movement. You would use this type of watch for tekias shofar. The problem is mukzeh. As far as I understand it these watches don’t need to be wound but wind themselves by the movement of the wearer. If they are not moving, they “run out of juice” after 24 hours or so. In this case wouldn’t these types of watches be mukzeh? If so, there is no point in owning one since it can’t be worn on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Thanks!
Answer:
As long as the watch is running it is not considered muktzah. You can adorn it on Shabbos and Yom Tov even though the movement of your hand prolongs the running time. If the watch has stopped completely then you can not wear it, because movement will cause it to restart.
Sources:
Teshuvas Tzitz Eliezer 9:20, Teshuvas Chelkas Ya’akov1:75.
