1. In a watch wherein features of spoken utterances are analyzed by a programmable speaker-independent pattern recognition system to provide recognition results, a method comprising the steps of: coupling said watch to a source external to said watch; retrieving programming information for said pattern recognition system from said external source; and programming said pattern recognition system with said retrieved programming information to recognize a first set of words, wherein said speaker-independent pattern recognition system provides a first set of recognition results responsive to said first set of words.