Surprised by an old friend
Do you have a watch that you have had for years that, upon fresh examination, is a pleasant surprise?
I have a trick that I play on myself: I hide a bunch of watches from myself for long periods of time. Then, when they’re well out of sight for a while, they lose their focus in the mind. When uncovered (in order to replace the watches that are now to be hidden) they can offer real surprises. Some pleasant. And some that make me question the very notion that I have some sort of discernment; an effective artist’s eye; a comfortable larding of good taste.
(A little voice in my head just said, quite sarcastically and in Bugs Bunny’s voice: “smart arse!”)
I had never noticed how complex and pretty the case of this watch was.
These are just iPhone photos, but you can sort of make out - if you squint your brain - the fact that the lugs meet the flanks of the watch in a pleasing cup that makes the fine brushing along the flanks really sing. Satinated might be a better word.
Another shot. I’d never paid attention to this before! What was I thinking?
Very pleasing sculpted lines. And on an M. Lacroix! Even the movement - likely an ETA but I don’t know (cringe) is nicely decorated. Machine work, but at this level, what do we expect?
So, there I was, happily surprised by a watch that in the back of my mind was headed out for sale. But I put it on a nice new strap:
And Bob’s your uncle.
Actually I have one living uncle and he’s Ian. My late uncle was Peter. So who’s this Bob?
Cheers!
I’m an artist, illustrator and sometime writer. I also daydream a lot.
I had a similar experience when I rediscovered my 10 years old Maurice lacroix Pontos I have put away needing a service, but forgot to take it to a watchmaker... it's still running ok, but gaining too much time compared to when it was new...
Bob is my uncle actually 😁😉