Is a pocket watch something that would be safe to wear at a competition? I’m mainly worried about the chain getting caught on something.
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If you’re worried, don’t wear it.
Dangling things in general are not good to have around the robot.
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Is it a personal safety concern? Unlikely, although not impossible.
Will it get snagged and quite likely damage the chain and/or watch? Likely.
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If you feel you must wear one, I’d recommend making the clip break-away so that if it does get caught on something (the robot, something in your pit, another person in a crowded area), the watch quickly gets released off your belt instead of dragging you along with it.
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I wore one at every event i went to during the steampunk year. Didn’t have any problems
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The drip is always worth it 
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RC has proved this with his sweaters.
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I feel like pocket watches were common enough as a costume item in 2017.
I don’t remember anything bad happening, but if there was damage it was likely to cheap costume jewelry, so not a big deal.
Not a whole lot worse than hoodie strings or any different than wallet chains. Probably better than tutus.
Hoodie strings should be tucked in or removed when working in the pits or near the field (or in your shop spaces at home).
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Emphisis mine.
But yes, absolutely
Depends, are you working in the pit a lot?
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I can’t speak on the safety of a pocket watch but I do know that at the San Diego Regional, I was wearing a chain around my neck and as I was lifting my robot before the match, it got caught on our climber hooks and snapped, injuring my neck (but not too badly). I haven’t worn one since just to avoid that complication!
Is it a (pre Swatch) Blancpain? No. Otherwise yes.
dangling things and chains like that are not smart. don’t do it. Why do you want one anyway? i’ll assume less of a fashion statement and more of an actual accessory for telling time but just use a digital watch
In the words of @Andrew_L ”the drip is always worth it”
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Does sourdough count?
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And if you tuck the chain into the larger pocket especially when around things with moving parts, you will also reduce the chance of it getting snagged. But I definitely also like @seg9585’s suggestion of an intentionally weak link at the belt clip end.
I’ve done it before. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t be stupid. If you’re going to be near machinery keep the chain tucked in your pocket, you can pull it back out later when you’re somewhere safer.
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Back in the nineties, I worked in a motor engineering lab where engineers wore neckties every day except Friday. Some wore clip on ties to avoid being strangled if it got wrapped around the spinning shaft of a dynamometer.
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