I've found that I've always had the ability when out in a busy place, out of hundreds of ambient voices talking away, to instantly pick out the words "my watch", "her watch", "your watch" and the like out of the air. With the proliferation of cell phones that put private conversations into the public ear, it only makes it a more target rich environment. I knew a girl in school that would prompt "Do you want my watch?" to any (guy) who asked her the time; even to the point of starting to take it off. My ears never missed that phrase, and you would be surprised how many guys wound up with their hands held out for it.
I take note or write down that rare irregular when something of my watch interest floats on the wind to me. Recently I was at a fair standing by two nice ladies talking. I noticed that one had a white strap chrono (I like white watches, so I was already paying attention) on her wrist that was oddly ill fitted; overly loose for a strap with the loops entirely omitted, face cocked way to the side. Her friend clearly said "I'll tell your boss why her watch smells like pussy, but she's not going to like it." No other hint to what was going on or what their relation ship was. Speculating the context is part of the fun. Usually its not watch related what jumps out at me, like the woman talking on her cell at an airport months ago: "OK, I'll come into the office Saturday, if they send the red head with the big tits."