The French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal is reputed to have written words to the effect that “This letter would have been shorter if I’d had more time to write it.” Perhaps if he’d had a reliable watch, a relatively modern invention, what short time he had wouldn’t have gotten away from him.
For years, I preferred pocket watches. So elegant, intricate, and beautiful. And many with a history. I have two, but don’t know much about them; my grandfather owned them. Unfortunately, we never discussed them.
I love taking the back off and looking at the gears and jewels inside. It’s more than the gears and jewels, however. There’s often a story etched into the case — either on the outside, or inside of the watch..
The one pictured on the right shows the name George Denton, and a date, May 5, 1927. Perhaps Mr. Denton lost it on an ill-conceived wager, like the oak table in our kitchen that my grandfather was said to have won in a poker game. There are also several sets of initials and dates etched in extremely tiny letters (too small to be seen here) in the inside of the back. I’m told these represent the identities of jewelers who serviced the watch over the years.
There’s no name inside the watch on the left, but there’s a florid “JFL” (my grandfather’s initials) engraved on the back. I’d like to think my grandmother got it for her husband; again “time has passed” and those who knew at one time can no longer tell us.
About once a year I’ll wear one of these watches. But I’m too hard on them, so, rather than running the risk of breaking them, I wear a stainless-steel Casio – battery powered wrist watch which syncs with the atomic clock in Fort Collins, Colorado. I take some comfort in the analog dial (I can’t stand digital), but I still miss the gold elegance of the pocket watch.
Mister Ed
Bravo Mr Ed, a lovely sentimental tale (or tail?).
On which of your four limbs do you wear your Casio?
Thanks for the comment. It was fun to write. Going out on a limb, I’d say the Casio is worn on the mane limb.
Oy!
Love the beautiful pocket watches, Mr. Ed, and glad you still have them, even though the Casio is so practical.
Yes. Practicality beats artistry.
Those pocket watches are beautiful and each does tell a story. It is sad that the stories are mostly lost to time now, but they are quite elegant. I understand the desire to preserve them and only wear them on special occasions, hence the Casio. I, too, wear an analog wristwatch on a daily basis. I’m with you there. Mine is battery powered, but not atomic. That would be ideal, but I’m not there yet.
Thank you for your comment, and good for you on analog watches. My Casio is battery powered, actually and recharges with sunlight. The national clock in Fort Collins is atomic powered,but it keeps the time on the watch accurate to the second. I’d rather the folks in Ft. Collins keep the radiation there!
These watches are beautiful, Mr. Ed. You are so lucky to have them. They represent a more gracious era in which time probably moved more slowly.