By David Wallace

Famed 1940s detective Dick Tracy had a two-way wrist communicator to solve crimes in the Sunday comics. Now you won't need any cereal box-tops to get your own version—though when you're talking to your arm, people might stare.

Bluetooth-equipped wristwatches allow you to see caller information, answer calls or just tell time more subtly than fumbling in pockets or purses when the phone rings. There is some irony here, with some consultants blaming declining watch sales on people who use cell phones as "pocket watches." Some Bluetooth watches also can control MP3 music players built into Sony Ericsson phones.

Using buttons on the watch, you can opt to connect the call through a linked Bluetooth headset or ignore/mute the phone and send the caller to voicemail. These watches have been on the market for about a year and aren't flying off shelves. Mobile professionals were among the first to try them. But early models were large, clunky and not terribly stylish. Refinements and smaller cases are on the way, says Douglas Krone, founder of Dynamism.com, a Chicago-based website specializing in bringing early-adopter technology and gadgets from Asia.

Sony Ericsson, teamed with Fossil to create both analog and digital watches that vibrate to signal an incoming call. Another version, from Chronotech allows the watch face to snap off and be used as an earpiece.

The convenience of not retrieving a phone to see who is calling or choosing not to answer is a bonus, Krone says, especially in meetings or social situations. That can be done by assigning ring tones to specific callers, he adds, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Another issue is the need to recharge Bluetooth accessories fairly frequently—every few days with even minimal use—and many people aren't accustomed to plugging in their wristwatch.