Many might say that watches are archaic and completely unnecessary. While in some aspects, there might be some merit to that statement, watches represent innovation, discovery, and embody some of the greatest achievements of societies and individuals. The following contain my experience, history and thoughts.
I first began to appreciate time pieces when I received an old pocket watch that my dad wore for the longest time. The watch was no longer functioning, but still was intact. When I removed the case back and saw an amazing sight, there were gears, cogs and springs that when functioning, allowed the device to display how much time had passed, before needing to be wound again. The ability to fit so many moving parts inside of a small steel case, and be able to function without the need for an external source was truly amazing.
Watches many decades ago, were very practical items. While it is was fashionable for men to carry pocket watches, and females to wear wristwatches, the modern wristwatch arose from the first world war era. Men wanted the convenience of having a wristwatch to tell the time, rather than have to fumble through pockets for a pocket watch while in combat. Watches became standard issue for servicemen across all branches overtime. Field watches with easy to read dials were given to infantry, watches that could withstand a higher than normal g-force, and had rotating measurement bezels were given to airmen, and watches with high pressure ratings and water resistance, with elapsed time bezels were given to divers and naval crew members.
NASA, also issued their astronauts with watches, especially during the great space race of the 20th century. Watches like the Russian Strumanskie, Heuer wrist stop watch, Breitling Navitimer, and Buzz Aldrin's famed Omega Speedmaster have all been in space and back. It is quite fascinating that people were launched into space in glorified tin cans at one time, but had one of the most complex devices on their wrists giving them accurate readings on time, elapsed time, tachymeter calculations and much more. The most powerful world leaders and the worlds most influential individuals wore watches. From John F. Kennedy's Rolex Day-Date, a gift from Marilyn Monroe herself, to Barack Obama's Detroit made Shinola Runwell Chronograph, to the Dalai Lama's 1943 Patek Philippe. While all of these individuals are quite different from one another, a simple hobby tied them all together, the love of time and horology. Watches have been to the greatest heights, the greatest depths, and in the harshest conditions. Watches are full of history and glory, and one of the few things that are viewed as highly practical, but fashionable as well.
Today, I have over 15 watches (and growing) in my collection. I have collected handmade Swiss pieces, dive watches, solar watches, quartz watches, and novelty watches. While each piece varies from cost and production method, each has an amazing story of innovation to tell. For example, I have a Citizen Eco-Drive that harnesses the rays from the sun and ambient light to power the watch. Essentially, there is a solar panel behind the dial that captures the light around it. The watch is 12 millimeters thick and 40 millimeters wide. That is as thick as a slice of bread and as wide as the bottom of a small tea cup. My Seiko dive watch has a rotating lever inside, and when worn, the lever rotates bi-directionally. This lever when rotated, causes a coil to be wound, which winds the watch. One of my Swiss pieces has a transparent case and dial, an "open heart" so to speak. All of the fineries and inner workings, and the over 100 parts that allow the watch to function are all visible.
(My collection as of February 2017, minus the one on my wrist.)
While I could go on about my watches, I find that the most important aspect is the 'soul' of a watch. Many of the objects that we own, such as shoes or clothing, are mass produced and only offer the consumer very brief satisfaction before it is discarded for the next best thing. Watches are something that represent innovation, pride and branding. I find that the 'heart and soul' of the watch are all of the small intricate moving parts that help it operate, and depending on the type of watch, it has a different 'heart and soul'. They are something that can be passed down from generation to generation, and they are an extension of the wearer's personality, style and uniqueness. Watches from the early 20th century for example, are still running and are in high demand on the vintage market.
My everyday carry, and beater Seiko 7s26 diver for example, was made in 1996, is all original, and has been running service free longer than I have been alive. While not considered to be a vintage piece yet, it has been running for 20 years without service or repair, and it is something that could be passed down 30 years from now. The watch, while insignificant to many, is the only material object that has been physically attached to my body during my highs and lows, and my achievements and my failures. Something as important as a watch, while unimportant now, has amassed years and years of history, and has seen humanity's best and worst, wars to births, impeachments to inaugurations, and tragedy to prosperity.
(My favorite everyday wear watch, the Seiko 7s26 SKX007 dive watch, and one of my favorite books.)
In conclusion, while watches are obsolete now, they are very important and very valuable. Watches represent innovation, and quality, some of the best craftsmanship offered, while also being very practical. A phone will always tell the time, but why not tell the time in a different, more personalized way?
