I've worn a watch most of my life. For awhile, it seemed like I was replacing watches every other year, but I've had my current one for quite some time now. It's been through multiple bands and batteries. It was a gift from my wife - she thoughtfully bought a digital one with stopwatch and lap features, useful back when I was running regularly (and caring about my pace). I don't need such precision when I run any more, a sundial would be more appropriate.
A few years ago, I received a watch from my wife's father for Christmas. It was a very expensive analog watch set in a very cheaply-made, custom-fitted band. I liked that watch, and for awhile I wore it instead of my old watch. I like analog watches. They don't lie to me as badly as the digital ones. If I glance at an analog clock and the little hand is barely above the five and the big hand is near but to the left of the twelve, it's telling me the time is "almost five". A digital clock would say something like "4:56", which may or may not be true, depending on the accuracy of the watch and if it was precisely set. I know, most analog clocks have little tick marks around the clock face indicating the minutes, but to me, their diminutive size indicates that they are to be viewed merely as suggestions, at best. I always feel a bit of added pressure when setting a digital watch - I'm just not that precise a person. I wore my new expensive analog watch until the band broke. The band and watch are tightly integrated. Replacing the band appears far from trivial. That's the problem with expensive things - they are expensive to fix. Some day I shall fix this watch, but for now it keeps perfect time out of sight in a desk drawer.
Lately, I've been questioning why I wear a watch at all. My eyes have gotten bad enough that I can't really read the time unless I have reading glasses on. Usually, if I'm wearing reading glasses, I'm in an environment where there is also a clock within sight. Also, I'm typically toting my cell phone and IPod around with me. They've both got clocks as well (theirs are also unreadable without my trusty glasses).
So, maybe I'll stop wearing a watch. Or maybe I'll buy a really, really big one.
2 comments:
My watch stopped the first week of school. It needs a new battery but I just haven't gotten around to fixing it. The great thing about working in a school is that there are clocks all over the place. I've discovered that I really don't need a watch. The clock in my car and the one on my phone keep me on time when I'm not working.
Melody
The concept of wearing a watch is foreign to me... ;)
Post a Comment