I never normally line up the watches I used most often like this but I was dusting and they just ended up in a row. From left to right – Champion Outlander, Jet Set San Remo, Fossil Dual Face and Regal. I tend to switch between these ones every few weeks or so.
I learned to tell the time when I was about 5 or 6 I think and have worn a watch on my left arm ever since then, apart from a period about 8 years ago when I used my pedometer instead. Many people nowadays use their phones or computers I suppose but I think most people still wear wristwatches. I wonder why that is? Habit? Fashion?
I use my watches for work. When I am teaching there is often no clock in the room so I need a way of knowing how to pace the lesson and when to start winding down the meeting without being seen looking at my arm (which often makes students feel they are boring me). So I take my watch off and stand it like this one the table so I can just glance and see time. Two of them are chronographs so I can time speeches – though I often use my phone for this.
I don’t tend to be a big watch buyer – the Jet Set I got very cheap when I complained about bad service at a shop, the Fossil I bought on sale when the Jet Set lost its crown in London and I could not find anywhere to fix it (I had it fixed upon return to Sweden). I need a watch with a second hand for work. The Champion I got 80% off on sale with a voucher that was about to expire. The Regal was bought during the sudden desire I have at the end of every winter to buy something bright to celebrate spring. I also have another nice chronograph that was given to me, a Bulova evening watch which my grandmother found in the street, and a wonderful cat watch that changes colour according to the temperature. I didn’t know that when I was given it as a gift and thought I had broken it when it suddenly turned into a rainbow!
So dear readers – do you use a watch? And what kind of watch do you like?
My first watch was a Disney from my father, with a light yellow leather band, round stainless case, and a white face featuring a profile colored head of Snow White (still my favorite Princess). I currently switch between a few gifted watches of both modern and classic design, and prefer those with a second hand. I enjoy being “on time” and do not want to constantly juggle my phone to check it. On the hottest days, I do not wear a watch–I do not like the feeling of watches, jewelry or accessories against my skin when trying to stay cool. Otherwise, Filofax, watches…love them both as a useful connection with my past.
Ooh I am a watch-addict.
It isn’t jewellery that is kept in my jewellery box but watches. 😉
I have a silver fossil, a white/yellow gold Epos, a Gold Calvin Klein, a Gold Tissot, quite a few Sport watches, my mother’s watch from when she was a teen, my grandmother’s watch, my godmother’s watch and a pocket watch. So that brings me to 10… (For now.) The next watch I want to add to my collection is a Rado. And I have a thing for Art Deco watches – the 1920s are my favourite era – so am always in the hunt for one of those.
I like your collection.
Wow you have a great collection! And I also love Art Deco watches.
My watch collection comprises two: my everyday Eco-drive Citizen Nighthawk, and my father’s Breitling Navitimer. The Citizen rarely leaves my wrist, but is supplanted on special occasions like weddings and funerals by the Breitling. The main reason is fragility – the Breitling isn’t even dust proof let alone waterproof, and could easily be damaged if I were careless when washing my hands for example. Plus it’s a finely balanced piece of machinery which has already been rebuilt a couple of times – the last time it had to go on holiday to Grenchen in Switzerland for nearly 6 months, and because it is now considered a vintage watch by the factory they insisted on changing out some parts while others are just not available. But it has huge value to me being one of the few remaining things I inherited from dad. The Citizen by contrast is nearly bulletproof. But the thing both have in common is a circular slide rule bezel. If money were no object, I would probably try to find a new old stock Breitling B-2 and wear it until it fell apart…
I was hoping you would reply Paul – I know you love watches!
I have 2 watches, a Tag given to me by my husband for my 40th birthday, and a simple Rolex that was my fathers which is over 60 years old. It had been in a box for a few years since my father died, and my mother was going to throw it out as she thought it was broken. Of course I said No, I will get it fixed and put it on my arm to take home. It turns out that it has a self winding mechanism and it started working almost immediately and I still haven’t taken to to the watchmaker even though it gains 10 minutes over the course of a couple of weeks. At least I have no excuses to be late.
Oh that sounds lovely!
I bought an expensive Rotary watch after saving for a whole year when I was first out to work. It stopped after a few months and my uncle, who lost his legs in the war and trained as a watchmaker & repairer said that it had not been lubricated during manufacture and so was wore out. He gave me a report on his business letterhead and I wrote to Rotary, including his report. They were dismissive and said the damage was my fault!! I swore I would never pay a lot for a watch again. So now I have lots of watches, eg Seiko etc, but never pay more than £100.
Oh how awful! That would not happen today with social media to apply pressure. I used to have a Rotary mechanical fob watch but when it died to have it repaired would have cost more than a new one as it is so hard and so expensive to find watchmakers who can work on mechanical watches these days.
The trouble with most watches is, it’s only the case that is expensive, most of the innards are standard. However, those REALLY expensive watches worth thousands do have hand built insides. I’d certainly not buy another Rotary. Like yours, mine would have nearly cost as much in spares to repair as the original,nend though my uncle would have done the repair for nothing.
I have always loved watches, Janet, from my first which was given to me by my uncle and aunt when I was 5. They brought it back from Switzerland after a holiday there. I still have quite a few, including an Animal chronograph from the late 1990’s, and a Seiko Honda F1 racing chronograph, which I bought after Honda left the sport. My other four watches are what are termed luxury watches, but I wear one of them every day, irrespective of their price. Life is too short to leave them in a cupboard.
I totally agree!