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Green’s Dictionary of Slang

watch n.

[perhaps the image is of the idea of a person being synon. with one who is watching, i.e. is alive]

self; usu. as my watch, his watch etc.

c.1535		R. Copland Hye Way to the Spyttel House Eiii: His watch shall feng a prounces nobchete.
c.1566		Harman Caveat for Common Cursetours in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 85: I saye by the Salomon I will lage it of with a gage of benebouse then cut to my nose watch I sweare by the masse I will washe it of with a quart of good drynke then say to me what thou wylt.
1612		Dekker ‘Bing Out Bien Morts’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 13: A canniken, mill quier cuffin, / so quier to ben cove’s watch.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue [as cit. 1612].
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit 196: I met a Dell, I view’d her well, she was beenship to my watch [I met a Lass, I lik’d her well, with whom I us’d to dally].

In phrases

wind someone’s watch (v.)

see wind up the clock under wind v.