The Watch

Most of you know I like old things. It quickens the nostalgia in me, especially when it’s connected to my ancestry. After my parents passed away, I inherited many things, most of which went to one of three places: to my kids if they wanted it, to various charitable groups, or into a box for later consideration. Almost 20 years passed before the box suddenly beckoned, and I pulled out a few items. Each item coaxes a memory associated with it, and today’s was no different. It was my father’s watch, one he had worn as far back as I can remember. This was back in the day when such things lasted longer than they do now and were not as easily victimized by changes in fashion trends.

             The watch seemed unassuming. A steel case with a simple black dial, analog of course, with gold elongated triangles instead of numbers. This hearkens to a day when the hours on a clock were intuitive, before the onslaught of the digital era.  It was not as flashy as some in my current collection, nor as utilitarian as my Apple smartwatch, which measures various body functions, health trends, and emails. This one only tells the date and time.

            But today it sparked a wee bit of curiosity. This watch meant a lot to my father, and upon inspecting the back, the reason became apparent. Inscribed was “Sus amigos de las Shell. Maracaibo 23-7-57”. That was his last day at Royal Dutch Shell, before he left Venezuela with his family for Canada. It was given to him by his coworkers (“his friends…”) with whom he worked for almost ten years.  But it doesn’t stop here.

            The watch happens to be an Omega Seamaster Automatic Calendar, which, after a little internet sleuthing, turns out to be quite the watch in its day, and perhaps even now. The automatic feature is a small weight inside the watch that moves as one walks, winding the spring that powers the mechanism. I can feel the click as I move my wrist. My internet perusing also found several of that vintage for sale…for more than $1,800!

            The fact that my father wore this watch until his passing in 1999 is a testimony to its quality. More than 42 years since he received it, and now this watch is 68 years old.

            Watchbands don’t last as long as watches, and it currently has a “Twist o flex” band, popular in the 1960s and itself quite innovative. I thought a traditional leather strap was more fitting to my tastes (remember my earlier comment about fashion trends?), so I swapped the old band out.

            I’ve now worn the watch for a few days. It still keeps accurate time.