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In Fullmetal Alchemist, it is stated a number of times that a state
alchemist's pocket watch increases their power, but there doesn't seem to be a
clear mechanism for that. How does that work, and what does increasing the
power of an alchemist mean?


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2012-12-12T12:46:27.497
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fullmetal-alchemist-series
In Fullmetal Alchemist, what does a State Alchemist's pocket watch do?


They never explained it because it is a development of the first anime
adaptation that was never expounded upon. The watches were merely forms of
identification as state alchemists in Brotherhood, which follows the manga
more closely.


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2012-12-12T13:31:04.523
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As stated in [this wiki](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/State_Alchemist),

> ...each State Alchemist is given a silver pocketwatch to hold as
> identification. This watch is engraved with the symbol of the State
> Alchemist program - the Amestrian Dragon circumscribed in a hexagram (though
> both anime series alter the hexagram to a nondescript polygram, presumably
> so as not to invoke Judaism). Although **the manga does not describe the
> pocketwatch as anything more than official proof that the carrier is a State
> Alchemist** , **the 2003 anime suggests that each pocketwatch is an
> alchemical amplifier**. The 2003 anime also depicts the watch's silver chain
> as extendable, as in the instance when the Strong Arm Alchemist, Major Alex
> Louis Armstrong uses it to tie up a target.

So, according to the 2003 anime, the watch amplifies the alchemist's powers.
However, both manga and _FMA:Brotherhood_ shows that the watch is simply a
form of identification, much like a police badge.

Also note that in the anime the watch is the indicator which people use to
recognize Edward as a State Alchemist. I believe that unless the State
Alchemist himself tells you who he is, the presence of the watch is the only
other way to know it (they also get a certificate, but I doubt they carry it
around).


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2012-12-12T13:45:05.770
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They actually showed this in one episode when Ed got his watched repaired,
that it contained red rocks in the back of it and that was how they amplified
their alchemic powers.


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2013-05-18T20:39:49.950
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The Silver Pocketwatches amplify the State Alchemist's power, but besides
that, the only thing they really do is prove that you're a State Alchemist,
and perhaps to tell the time.


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They tell time but mainly symbolize being a state alchemist and part of the
country's government and army if necessary.


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