I bought this watch so that I will not wake up my spouse in the morning since we are on different schedules.  I read a lot of the reviews on many different watches for this purpose.  I chose this one since the vibration time was 20 seconds long and it had 8 alarms.  I followed the advice from previous purchasers and set 3 alarms each a few minutes apart...in case I did not wake from the first one.  I also set my regular alarm as a back up.  I wake up each time on the first alarm and even shut it off before it even gets to about 10 seconds.  I use the other alarms as a "snooze" if I am really tired.  I left it one time on my pillow above my head and it woke me up.  I am not a light sleeper and I sleep with ear plugs and yet I could still feel the vibration.  It does make a slight sound depending on what it is on.  If you leave it on the night stand you will definitely hear it.  It is not a very attractive watch - the face is large, but it definitely works!  Just set multiple alarms a few minute apart and you will surely wake up!