The Fascination with Watches
All that watches do is tell time. Or is it?
To some it is a fashion statement. Like clothes, they can be an expression of personality. There are dress watches and sports watches and designer watches.
Others collect watches like paintings, cars, or girlfriends. These are prized (and pricey) possessions, each one an object of desire.
Others are fascinated by the mechanical qualities of movements and complications, marveling at the engineering and workmanship that go into such a small package.
And there are watches designed for diving, racing and landing on the moon.
And of course watches tell time. Not the time "as the clock strikes" but the time that a watch marks in your life. The graduation gift from your parents. The gift from the ex-girlfriend who is now your wife (or you wish is your wife). The watch you bought with your first paycheck. The watch the company gave you after a decade of employment. The watch you bought (or should have bought) on your first trip to Europe. The watch you wore when your first child was born. The watch your children gave you one Christmas.
Each tick of the second hand measures time gone by, never to return, but also heralds the arrival of the future. When the hour hand reaches midnight, it bids one day goodbye and welcomes another. Death and rebirth, loss and hope.
Watches can be different things, but they are still best at telling time.
To some it is a fashion statement. Like clothes, they can be an expression of personality. There are dress watches and sports watches and designer watches.
Others collect watches like paintings, cars, or girlfriends. These are prized (and pricey) possessions, each one an object of desire.
Others are fascinated by the mechanical qualities of movements and complications, marveling at the engineering and workmanship that go into such a small package.
And there are watches designed for diving, racing and landing on the moon.
And of course watches tell time. Not the time "as the clock strikes" but the time that a watch marks in your life. The graduation gift from your parents. The gift from the ex-girlfriend who is now your wife (or you wish is your wife). The watch you bought with your first paycheck. The watch the company gave you after a decade of employment. The watch you bought (or should have bought) on your first trip to Europe. The watch you wore when your first child was born. The watch your children gave you one Christmas.
Each tick of the second hand measures time gone by, never to return, but also heralds the arrival of the future. When the hour hand reaches midnight, it bids one day goodbye and welcomes another. Death and rebirth, loss and hope.
Watches can be different things, but they are still best at telling time.
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