Earlier quoted context omitted.
A good example is where I have a list of items which is filtered by a select[1]. I have the select wired up to the controller with a two-way binding and the controller watches for changes to the binding and filters the list accordingly. Maybe this isn't an idiomatic way to do it? [1] http://plnkr.co/edit/ykfblPHlwkBJyMeObFyV?p=preview
Here's your example without a watch: http://plnkr.co/edit/GCv7bQALiOTgJ0npavwi?p=preview
edit: and thanks a lot for taking the time to look at it!