Main Difference
The main difference between Observe and Watch is that the Observe is a active acquisition of information from a primary source and Watch is a personal timepiece.
Observe
Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary source. In living beings, observation employs the senses. In science, observation can also involve the recording of data via the use of scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during the scientific activity. Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring.
Watch
A watch is a timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. It is designed to keep working despite the motions caused by the person’s activities. A wristwatch is designed to be worn around the wrist, attached by a watch strap or other type of bracelet. A pocket watch is designed for a person to carry in a pocket.
Watches progressed in the 17th century from spring-powered clocks, which appeared as early as the 14th century. During most of its history the watch was a mechanical device, driven by clockwork, powered by winding a mainspring, and keeping time with an oscillating balance wheel. In the 1960s the electronic quartz watch was invented, which was powered by a battery and kept time with a vibrating quartz crystal. By the 1980s the quartz watch had taken over most of the market from the mechanical watch.
Today most watches that are inexpensive and medium-priced, used mainly for timekeeping, have quartz movements. Expensive collectible watches, valued more for their elaborate craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal and glamorous design than for simple timekeeping, often have traditional mechanical movements, even though they are less accurate and more expensive than electronic ones. Various extra features, called “complications”, such as moon-phase displays and the different types of tourbillon, are sometimes included. Modern watches often display the day, date, month and year, and electronic watches may have many other functions. Time-related features such as timers, chronographs and alarm functions are common. Some modern designs incorporate calculators, GPS and Bluetooth technology or have heart-rate monitoring capabilities. Some watches use radio clock technology to regularly correct the time.
Developments in the 2010s include smartwatches, which are elaborate computer-like electronic devices designed to be worn on a wrist. They generally incorporate timekeeping functions, but these are only a small subset of the smartwatch’s facilities.
The study of timekeeping is known as horology.
Observe (verb)
To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.
“From this vantage point we can observe the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat.”
Observe (verb)
To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).
“Please observe all posted speed limits.”
Observe (verb)
To comment on something; to make an observation.
“The senator observed that the bill would be detrimental to his constituents.”
Watch (noun)
A portable or wearable timepiece.
“More people today carry a watch on their wrists than in their pockets.”
Watch (noun)
The act of guarding and observing someone or something.
Watch (noun)
A particular time period when guarding is kept.
“The second watch of the night began at midnight.”
Watch (noun)
A person or group of people who guard.
“The watch stopped the travelers at the city gates.”
Watch (noun)
The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
Watch (noun)
A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
Watch (noun)
A period of time on duty, usually four hours in length; the officers and crew who tend the working of a vessel during the same watch. (FM 55–501).
Watch (noun)
The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.
Watch (verb)
To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
“Watching the clock will not make time go faster.”
“I’m tired of watching TV.”
Watch (verb)
To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
“Watch this!”
“Put a little baking soda in some vinegar and watch what happens.”
Watch (verb)
To mind, attend, or guard.
“Please watch my suitcase for a minute.”
“He has to watch the kids that afternoon.”
Watch (verb)
To be wary or cautious of.
“You should watch that guy. He has a reputation for lying.”
Watch (verb)
To attend to dangers to or regarding.
“watch your head;”
“watch your step”
“Watch yourself when you talk to him.”
“Watch what you say.”
Watch (verb)
To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil.
Watch (verb)
To be vigilant or on one’s guard.
“For some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.”
Watch (verb)
To act as a lookout.
Watch (verb)
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place.
Watch (verb)
To be awake.
Observe (verb)
notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant
“she observed that all the chairs were already occupied”
Observe (verb)
watch (someone or something) carefully and attentively
“Rob stood in the hallway, from where he could observe the happenings on the street”
Observe (verb)
take note of or detect (something) in the course of a scientific study
“the behaviour observed in groups of chimpanzees”
Observe (verb)
make a remark
“‘It’s chilly,’ she observed”
“a stockbroker once observed that dealers live and work in hell”
Observe (verb)
fulfil or comply with (a social, legal, ethical, or religious obligation)
“a tribunal must observe the principles of natural justice”
Observe (verb)
maintain (silence) in compliance with a rule or custom, or temporarily as a mark of respect
“a minute’s silence will be observed”
Observe (verb)
perform or take part in (a rite or ceremony)
“relations gather to observe the funeral rites”
Observe (verb)
celebrate or acknowledge (an anniversary)
“they observed the one-year anniversary of the flood”
Watch (verb)
look at or observe attentively over a period of time
“as she watched, two women came into the garden”
“Lucy watched him go”
“everyone stopped to watch what was going on”
Watch (verb)
keep under careful, protective, or secret observation
“he told me my telephones were tapped and that I was being watched”
“there aren’t enough staff to watch him properly”
Watch (verb)
observe and guard in a protective way
“I guess I can rest a while, with you here to watch over me”
Watch (verb)
follow closely or maintain an interest in
“the girls watched the development of this relationship with incredulity”
Watch (verb)
exercise care, caution, or restraint about
“you should watch what you say!”
“most women watch their diet during pregnancy”
Watch (verb)
look out or be on the alert for
“in spring and summer, watch for kingfishers”
“watch out for broken glass”
Watch (verb)
be careful
“credit-card fraud is on the increase, so watch out”
Watch (verb)
be careful (used as a warning or threat)
“if anyone finds out, you’re dead meat, so watch it”
Watch (verb)
remain awake for the purpose of religious observance
“she watched whole nights in the church”
Watch (noun)
a small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one’s wrist
“my watch had stopped”
Watch (noun)
an act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time
“the security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities”
Watch (noun)
a period during which a person is stationed to look out for danger or trouble, typically at night
“Murray took the last watch before dawn”
Watch (noun)
a fixed period of duty on a ship, usually lasting four hours
“sea air, lots of exercise, and four-hour watches give everyone a healthy appetite”
Watch (noun)
the officers and crew on duty during a watch.
Watch (noun)
a shift worked by firefighters or police officers
“the men of Red Watch at Kingsland Fire Station”
Watch (noun)
a watchman or group of watchmen who patrolled and guarded the streets of a town before the introduction of the police force
“the woman, with a piercing shriek, called the watch”
Watch (noun)
a film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public
“this movie’s an engrossing watch”
Watch (noun)
a flock of nightingales
“a watch of nightingales began flying south”