This is not a debate about politics. Please do not take it in that direction.

I am watching the US presidential debate. I just noticed a peculiar thing....

The moderators (Anderson Cooper & Martha Raddatz) have taken their watches off and placed them on the table next to them. Is there some sort of political/TV etiquette that suggests they do this? Or is it just so they can look at the time without looking at their wrists?

 

I think they are just using them as timers for the 2 minutes each candidate is allowed.
Politics aside, it sure is good TV.

 

As entertaining as it is.... I'm more interested in what watches are on the table

 

I do that in meetings occasionally to keep things on track.

 

My bet is so they can lol at the time and keep it on track without looking at their watches.

 

It looks like a Speedmaster 2915 and a UG Evil Nina

 

I like that typo actually

 

Well, those two black cutouts in the table right in front of the watches contained timers counting down each candidate's 2 minutes, so I'd imagine they might have done so to be able to see the time without looking at their wrists

 

Me too ...

"You see this watch ? This watch is worth more than your car! "

 

BTW any information about the exact models of the watches placed on table?

 

No, I was too busy watching the lowest point of our glorious republics history to care about watches.

 

+1 Might look a little suspect if Anderson looks down at his wrist when Trump elaborates on p^$$y grabbing loll

 

Probably not etiquette, but practical:
1 - you don't want to be seen looking at your wrist
2 - its probably more comfortable in a high-stress environment.

 

I think you're right about comfort. Wouldn't it be hot on stage and make a watch uncomfortable to wear?

 

Not sure about the stage (candidates probably want it very cold, so we don't see them sweat). But lots of uncomfortable situations for both candidates and moderators

 

Over the years I have seen several people with a habit of taking off their watch and placing in front of them for meetings.

I always thought this was a way of making a strong visual statement that:
1. Their time was now dedicated to the task at hand
2. Their time would be monitored and managed.

I fail to see how a <50mm dial is easier to see on a table in front of you than on your wrist. I also don't believe picking it up occasionally off the table to check time is less subtle than glancing at your wrist.

I suspect the debate moderators were subtly signaling something like my 2 points above, and also maybe did so somewhat out of habit...


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IMHO they are both silently acknowledging what an amazingly huge waste of everyone's time the debates really are.

 

You do this in a meeting with a hard stop and decisions to be made. Sends a strong signal that there is a time limit and the meeting has to accomplish something.

 

I doubt that was the case there. Even moderators too never expected anything to accomplish there!