Muggleness in the wizard world

[archeaologee]

No: HPFGUIDX 39540

Ruminating in my room I had a thought (actually I had several, but 
one is relevant).

Harry breaks his watch in GoF (in the lake).  

Why is it not already broken.

I hardly think the Dursley's the sort of people to give him a good 
watch and the wind up kind (if they are to have any accuracy) are 
highly expensive (and quite often will work again if dried out).

The only solution I can think of is that it is a Digital (cheap) or 
at least a quartz crystal watch - batteries, circuit board and all. 
And this is working for three years in Hogwarts.

Am I also right in thinking he has a torch (or am I just remembering 
that from when he was doing homework under the covers).  We know 
wizards have radios (although they are very simple technology and 
could work from valves or crystals) so what else can they use.  If a 
watch then surely a calculator, and from there to the library 
computer.

Also while I'm on the subject.

[inhales deeply and prepares to rant]

Biro's anybody?  Why on earth would someone with no qualms about 
wearing jeans and t-shirt under his school robes risk spilling ink 
under the covers (and the quill is bound to be scratchy in the hands 
of a young boy who has only recently started using them - I know I 
cant make them write smoothly) when he could just use a ball-point.  
Seriously, they could do that in lessons too.  Ok I concede exams, 
where they have enchanted quills but that bit under the bed in 4 
Privet Drive REALLY bugs me.  I mean if you're worried about the look 
of a cheap ballpoint then get a better one, or use a fountain pen 
(they're just metal quills anyway). Grrr.

Back to the technology issue, anyone got a good 
reason\cannon\imagination and can tell me about the watch (don't say 
it's been enchanted, that raises so many yellow flag issues), or 
torch or pens?

*looks around at all the PG type people on the list in hope his faith 
in JKR will be restored*

James (calming down now - and really hoping no-one will tie this to 
the pen issues he's just had in his finals)