I have this small sample in which I hoped to see log messages in browser console indicating $scope watcher is working well, but it's unfortunately not the case.
<!doctype html>
<html ng-app="demo">
<head>
<script src="bower_components/angular/angular.js"></script>
<script>
var app = angular.module('demo', ['ng']);
app.controller('demoCtrl', function($scope) {
var self = this;
self.searchText = '';
$scope.$watch('self.searchText', function(n, p) {
console.log('searchText changed from', n, 'to', p);
});
});
</script>
</head>
<body ng-controller="demoCtrl as ctrl">
<input type="text" ng-model="ctrl.searchText" />
</body>
</html>