Wristwatch or Wristclock?

[Rossyboy]

Ok - a timepiece on a wall is a clock, but one on your wrist (or in your pocket), it is a watch. So, why don't you have a wristclock or a wallwatch, and why are there 2 words for the same thing in the first place?

[Quizmonster]

The original meaning of 'watch' in the timekeeping sense - which dates back to the 1400s - was specifically an alarm on a clock. This referred to the fact that its purpose was to 'wake you up to' the fact that a particular time had come. In addition, in earlier centuries whole clocks were also sometimes called 'watches'. In other words, the two names have existed side-by-side for a very long time. Only in relatively recent times has 'watch' meant a small timepiece.

[TommyC]

Plus, of course, the label "timepiece" itself was very common for a long time, primarily to signify the device kept on a chain from a gentleman's waist-pocket. Timepieces for ladies were largely unknown, because of course they never had anything important to do all day anyway..!! (OUCH..!!)

[firefly]

Actually a clock technicaly should only be used for chiming timepieces, everything else are just timepieces, maybe they are called watches because they were used to work out what time 'watches' (or periods of look out)were held.