Who times the Watchman *

In which our Hero can’t quite decide about the little hand on his big hand

I was tipped off to the warehouse sale for a watch manufacturer a week before it was supposed to happen, and the internet forums suggested that it was a real opportunity for deep discounts on dinged and last-year models. I’ve had my watch since 1999, and I’ve been increasingly motivated to replace it as it’s shown less and less reaction as I try to adjust the time for daylight savings time, so I was keen to go.

Because it was a weekday, I told Hollywood I’d be taking the day off, just because I didn’t know how long things would go. The sale opened at 8, but apparently last time people were lining up by 2 or 3 in the morning, and I wasn’t sure if I was willing to get up very early or to line up for an uncertain possibility of a deal of unknown value.

But I did my research, going through the site, picking out models I was interested in. Including the big brother, 4 generations later, of the watch I have now. Not so special edition as to be limited availability, but it’s the high end of that family of watches with a connection that has always appealed to 10-year-old me.

And Hollywood asked me if I could keep an eye out for a particular model, which I had no problem with. But then he started asking questions, with answers that were simultaneously obvious and unanswerable. “How much discount do you think?” Well, all I have is the same forum post you read. “What models?” I don’t know, never been to one of these things “So what are you going to do if you don’t find the one you want?” I’ve picked a out a few so I have options based on the features I’m looking for

“So which one do you want?”

I showed him since the page was still up.

“Oh, that looks pretty good. Okay, so if you don’t find the one I wanted, get me one of these.”

[scratchy noise of needle dragged off record]

I couldn’t say no. I really couldn’t. But I wanted to. I have a specific set of features that I’ve researched over the years that have lead me to this watch, and this variant that is personally significant to me. And now Hollywood wanted to get the exact same watch, largely on the strength of me wanting it. But to me, a watch is something that to me is a lot like women’s formal dresses. You don’t want to be at an event where someone is wearing the same one. And

The night before the sale, I was weighing my options, and considering just not going rather than risk having to buy two of *my* watch. Instead I decided to go and just get one. If it was the special edition, I’d keep it. If it wasn’t the one with the personal connection, I’d give it to him and forgo my own.

And at 5 in the morning, I got up, and went to line up for the 8am sale. I was in line by 5:45 and was 19th in line. And over the next two hours, more and more people showed up. Unfortunately, a few of them joined friends and family in front of me, so by the time they opened the door, I was now 25th in a line of around 120 or so.

They let people in about 8 at a time, and you were allowed to shop for 20 minutes. Turned out there was also a limit of six watches per person. I got in around 9, and discovered…

That it was more of a yard sale type display. A couple of tables with watches spread over them. Lots of watches, but older models, not high end. None of the ones I was looking for (though the forum said there were a few when the first people got in). I was really disappointed, but then my mom had asked me to keep and eye out for her, and my dad had talked about coming with me to the sale till he found out how early he’d have to wake up (and then he offered to wait in line *for* me but I told him not to bother), so I tried shopping for them.

The women’s watches were mostly ignored. Partly, speculated the lady behind the table, because the women who wear watches these days tend to get men’s watches for the larger dials and more rugged manufacture. Partly, speculated me, looking at them, because the selection was kind of garish and unappealing. But I found one that caught my eye. And then I found two nice men’s watches that I couldn’t decide between so I got both for my dad. And one for me, a very simple, minimal black watch that was a far cry from what I’d been wearing for the last few years.

I have to admit, I bought more for the discount and for having been there for hours than I did for actually liking the watches. The discounts were very good, over 50% in most cases but still… while it resolved the risk of Hollywood duplicating my style, it was still disappointing to not come out with a real replacement for my beaten up timepiece.

But on a whim, I walked around the building and gave them my old watch for service. So maybe I can get the thing repaired and I won’t need a new watch so badly. And I’ve got the little black number for now.

I took the watches home, and my mom was happy with my choice for her. And then I told my dad I couldn’t pick for him and got him two, and he made an “oh no” face. “I didn’t want a watch!” But… you said you wanted to go with me! “Yeah, to get a watch for your mother!”

(sigh)

Oh well. One of the watches was something I would happily wear, and the other… well, maybe it’ll be a present some time.

Both parents very much approve of the watch I picked for myself. My mother was less subtle and said, “It’s so much better than your old watch.” Nocturne approved too, when I sent her a picture of it on my wrist. So I guess I’ve got decent taste.

But it feels strange to me. For one this is a watch that has no features at all. Well, it has a calendar, but no second hand. For another, it’s tiny. I don’t think I’ve worn a watch this light since I was a child. It’s got a leather strap, which I have to buckle on and off and so I have to think about sizing each time, which is bizarre after wearing a steel bracelet all these years.

But it does look nice, which pleases me. It’s just not a watch that’s part of me like the other one was.

The cousins were over on the weekend, and they all noticed the new watch right away. Again, the feedback was positive, but it was interesting to me that they noticed at all, though I have to admit that I probably would have too.

But it makes me think about these things as identity. My old watch is part of me, the new watch is decoration. And honestly I don’t see myself warming to it.

Just called the repair place. They haven’t even looked at it yet. (sigh)

*EDIT*

The good news is that my parents got rid of one of the watches. The downside is that they got rid of the one I preferred.

And to the private note, I don’t like thin, slender watches either, but what I picked has a decent size, just not bulk. But this will be a dress watch for occasions, not my daily use watch.

And it’s funny but my preference for watches is not actually that detailed. I want three features: Analog, Stopwatch and Countdown Timer. But it seems that those three features automatically push me to a particular tier. So I dig.