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I have not seen a lot of anime, but some of the ones I have seen have pocket
watches in them. _Noir_ , _Phantom_ , _Fullmetal Alchemist_ , and
_Steins;Gate_ all have pocket watches of some sort in them and are usually an
important piece at some point in the anime. How come many anime include pocket
watches in them? Thanks.

These images are from _Noir_ , _Steins;Gate_ and _Phantom: Requiem for the
Phantom_.
[![Noir](https://i.stack.imgur.com/QOm3M.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/QOm3M.jpg)
[![Steins;Gate](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3IXVL.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3IXVL.jpg)
[![Phantom: Requiem for the
Phantom](https://i.stack.imgur.com/r5uFw.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/r5uFw.jpg)


CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T17:07:41.337
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2016-05-18T03:13:44.990
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question
tropes
Why do many anime include pocket watches in them?


I'm not an expert on Japanese culture but if I had to guess, there are some
symbolism involved.

1) A pocket watch became popular after World War I and it was one of the
expensive items being imported into Asian countries. It was valuable and was
something that can be inherited.

2) A watch symbolizes time; past, present, and future. It represents the
character's past (usually dark and sad in anime), present (struggles) and
future (final goal, whether it's a bright one or inevitable death.)

That's what I think.


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2016-05-17T19:05:54.490
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2016-05-17T19:05:54.490
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answer


In addition to what monty_bean said, a watch does show the symbolism of time,
but it's far more significant with a pocket watch, which can have more
meaning, such as the engraving on the watch in FMA.

A wristwatch just does not carry the same emotional gravity that a pocket
watch does; it would register more as just a fashion accessory or something to
tell the time with. The significance of the watch itself wouldn't be nearly as
present.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-18T03:13:44.990
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answer