Of Writers and Watches
If all information is on the Internet--as one had been told many times by many folks--then it should be easy to find information on what famous people of the past wore on their wrists. And for the most part it is quite an easy thing to do. If the person one is searching for happens to be known enough.
I'm particularly interested in writers. Once upon a time, when I was young and hopeful, I had thought I was going to be one myself. I even wrote novels. Long, winding, boring novels that never got published. Life, as it is wont to do, had other plans for me. Still, it's not like I left that world completely. I still write fiction, from time to time, and they remain unread and unappreciated inside the bowels of my computer.
My heroes, naturally, were writers. I have always been and continue to be interested in the writer's life because I think I'm living one. Though one can hardly call the life I have these days as being that of a writer's.
When I got into watches, one of the first things I did was research what sort of watches writers wore. Hunter S. Thompson apparently rocked a Rolex GMT. Neil Gaiman had been photographed wearing a Swiss Army Original. Douglas Adams--one of my favorites--had criticized digital wristwatches in his Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. He's even made a particular display of love for mechanical watches through his character Arthur Dent who, even in other planets where the hours of Earth no longer made sense, took great care to wind his mechanical watch (undisclosed brand). Before he passed away he'd been photographed wearing wearing a yellow Breitling SuperOcean.
Back to Rolex--Ernest Hemingway, one of the giants, loved his Oyster Perpetual. I am a huge fan of Hemingway. When I had a chance to live in France a decade ago, friends and family were excited for me, talking about the sights and food and all the things France is known for. I only really wanted to follow Hemingway's steps when he lived there in the 20s. I wanted to experience my own "moveable feast".
So, in the last post I said I traded a 2000s Breitling as part of the payment for a 1955 Oyster Perpetual and many Crunchers thought I was a fool to do so. But, well, this Hemingway connection is a strong one. And I don't even like Rolex. But this one seems like the right watch to own as it bridges my great love of literature with my new love of watches. Just as I still want a flashy Batman watch, I want that 50s Oyster Perpetual.
But bringing this back to the topic sentence at top: Not all information is available on the Internet. It it were, I would now know what watch James Joyce is sporting in the picture above. James Joyce is my absolute Godtier hero. I think he's the greatest and would love to see--if not own--what he wore on his wrist decades ago.
Anyone here got any idea?
I've got a god-shaped hole in my life that I'm trying to fill in futility with watches.
Should imagine a lot of your heroes probably wore pocket watches, it was that era.
Good luck with your research, most interesting 👍🏻👍🏻
Joyce, at least “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” was life-changing for me too. My favorite book. Takes me a year to read every time. When I re-read it a couple of years ago, I was worried it wouldn’t resonate because I’m so much older. It did.
As for his watch, maybe don’t look too hard. Remember what he said when approached by a fan who wanted to “kiss the hand that wrote ‘Ulysses’”: “No, it did a lot of other things too.”
Seriously, I look forward to learning of the fruit of your search.
I just requested this article from the author. Will share if it reveals anything:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367259894_James_Joyce_Irish_Modernism_and_Watch_Technology
Joyce, at least “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” was life-changing for me too. My favorite book. Takes me a year to read every time. When I re-read it a couple of years ago, I was worried it wouldn’t resonate because I’m so much older. It did.
As for his watch, maybe don’t look too hard. Remember what he said when approached by a fan who wanted to “kiss the hand that wrote ‘Ulysses’”: “No, it did a lot of other things too.”
Seriously, I look forward to learning of the fruit of your search.
I just requested this article from the author. Will share if it reveals anything:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367259894_James_Joyce_Irish_Modernism_and_Watch_Technology
I know. It's the romantic in me. AND wouldn't that be coolest thing? To own something similar to what James Joyce might have worn?
Should imagine a lot of your heroes probably wore pocket watches, it was that era.
Good luck with your research, most interesting 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks!
🚼🍼 shhhh
Interesting topic. Share some of your favourite writers. Others include Gabriel Marquez (who wore a Officina Alessi) and Haruki Murakami (Heuer GMT Automatic). No idea what Frizt Leiber and Gene Wolfe had on their wrists - if anything.
Also no idea what Joyce is wearing...perhaps drop a line to the James Joyce Society (https://joycesociety.com/ ), perhaps they'll know?
I would ask, as an avid reader and father of a budding writer, that you post some of your writings and the watch you wore when you wrote it. As for trading your watch and the negativity that came from the community, well…as collectors we are as passionate as we are zealous. I applaud your journey and will be looking out for your posts in the hopes you take the brave step to share your art. I am constantly telling my daughter that everyone needs to read her work because stories are meant to be told. The world may not see your imagination come to life but they will be better for having read something new. Someone, someday, will reflect on one of your works and ask themselves….”what watch was he wearing when he penned the book that changed me forever?”💪🏼
There's nothing worng about starting a sentence with a Conjunction. They teach this in the early days of school to encourage people to be more creative when writing.
Joyce, at least “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” was life-changing for me too. My favorite book. Takes me a year to read every time. When I re-read it a couple of years ago, I was worried it wouldn’t resonate because I’m so much older. It did.
As for his watch, maybe don’t look too hard. Remember what he said when approached by a fan who wanted to “kiss the hand that wrote ‘Ulysses’”: “No, it did a lot of other things too.”
Seriously, I look forward to learning of the fruit of your search.
I just requested this article from the author. Will share if it reveals anything:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367259894_James_Joyce_Irish_Modernism_and_Watch_Technology
It's part of an anthology called "Technology in Irish Literature and Culture," which is basically a graduate-level textbook. It's $110.00 to buy. I'd recommend trying to find it at your local library, using Inter-Library Loan (ILL). Borrowing periods are usually for 3-6 weeks, plenty of time to read it and return it, and save yourself the king's ransom! 🤣
It's part of an anthology called "Technology in Irish Literature and Culture," which is basically a graduate-level textbook. It's $110.00 to buy. I'd recommend trying to find it at your local library, using Inter-Library Loan (ILL). Borrowing periods are usually for 3-6 weeks, plenty of time to read it and return it, and save yourself the king's ransom! 🤣
Great advice. If my outreach to the author of the specific article doesn’t work out, I’ll definitely follow your suggestion.
There is not a rule in the English language that prevents the use of a Conjunction at the beginning of a sentence. For I (see what I did there?), as an Irishman, can point to examples within the literature of Jane Austin, Francis Bacon, Hans Christian Andersen, plus many more. It may be frowned upon today, but I'd say that comes from the same instances raised in my initial post.
I can totally relate to you here, as I am a struggling writer myself. I write for anywhere from ten minutes to a few hours per day, usually before I go to sleep, which gives me about one short novel and a million unfinished projects every year. I don't know or care if anything will ever be published, because I find it jolly fun to learn about the English language and how to twist and contort it to fit my needs.
My favourite writer is Isaac Asimov, who wore a watch, but I have no clue as to what it is.
Alongside writers, scientists serve as another big inspiration to me. Glenn T. Seaborg is my role model (Read up on his wedding, it'll definitely warm your heart)
He also wore a watch, but again, no idea as to what it could be.
Jeremy Clarkson is a writer whose collection is a lot more well-known. While most people know him for driving quickly around corners yelling "power," his writing is really underrated, especially some of his older works. He has an incredibly captivating style that has largely influenced the way I speak.
Here we see him wearing an Omega Railmaster XXL
Here he has a snazzy white G-Shock on. He also owns a Breitling Avenger Hurricane with a yellow dial, various Omega Seamasters and an IWC chronograph. He has quite the eclectic collection, with the common denominator being mostly large watches.
Ian Fleming wore a Rolex Explorer - and gave that watch to his fictional spy, James Bond 007. He only ever calls it a Rolex Oyster Perpetual....but in several references to it in the books, it is revealed to be an Explorer - just like his own. Likely a reference 1016.
Actually, many writers do just this for emphasis and dramatic effect. And it works beautifully.
There is not a rule in the English language that prevents the use of a Conjunction at the beginning of a sentence. For I (see what I did there?), as an Irishman, can point to examples within the literature of Jane Austin, Francis Bacon, Hans Christian Andersen, plus many more. It may be frowned upon today, but I'd say that comes from the same instances raised in my initial post.
It's not frowned upon today. At least not if you're not a grammar nazi--those are never fun to hang out with.
From Grammarly:
"Many of us were taught in school that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction, but that rule is a myth. As mentioned above, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause. It’s also correct to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Often, it’s a good way to add emphasis. Beginning too many sentences with conjunctions will cause the device to lose its force, however, so use this technique sparingly." As you correctly pointed out.
I used to edit documents for a living. Depending on the style guide--Chicago Manual of Style, AP, etc--rules vary. @sockpuppet is just being a stuck-up ass, choosing pedantry over comprehension.
Interesting topic. Share some of your favourite writers. Others include Gabriel Marquez (who wore a Officina Alessi) and Haruki Murakami (Heuer GMT Automatic). No idea what Frizt Leiber and Gene Wolfe had on their wrists - if anything.
Also no idea what Joyce is wearing...perhaps drop a line to the James Joyce Society (https://joycesociety.com/ ), perhaps they'll know?
Great idea. I might just do that.
Re: other writers and their watches, I know about Murakami's Heuer but not about Marquez's watch. I looked it up. It's gorgeous!
Gene Wolfe in this pic is rocking a Casio (I think):
Kazuo Ishiguro, by the way, wears his watch on the inside of his wrist.
Joyce, at least “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” was life-changing for me too. My favorite book. Takes me a year to read every time. When I re-read it a couple of years ago, I was worried it wouldn’t resonate because I’m so much older. It did.
As for his watch, maybe don’t look too hard. Remember what he said when approached by a fan who wanted to “kiss the hand that wrote ‘Ulysses’”: “No, it did a lot of other things too.”
Seriously, I look forward to learning of the fruit of your search.
I just requested this article from the author. Will share if it reveals anything:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367259894_James_Joyce_Irish_Modernism_and_Watch_Technology
I love "A Portrait..." but my favorite is and will always be Ulysses.
As much as I love James Joyce's work, I must admit that I have yet to even attempt to read Finnegan's Wake.
And missed the point completely. The post is about James Joyce. Reread Ulysses so you can get the joke. I assume you've read it before given your education.
I love "A Portrait..." but my favorite is and will always be Ulysses.
As much as I love James Joyce's work, I must admit that I have yet to even attempt to read Finnegan's Wake.
I tried it decades ago. Didn’t get anywhere. I occasionally find it very liberating to walk away from a book. My three big examples are “Finnegan’s Wake,” “Infinite Jest,” and “Atlas Shrugged.” I’m not counting the leather-bound copy of “Moby Dick” my grandmother bought me when I was about eight.
It's not frowned upon today. At least not if you're not a grammar nazi--those are never fun to hang out with.
From Grammarly:
"Many of us were taught in school that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction, but that rule is a myth. As mentioned above, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause. It’s also correct to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Often, it’s a good way to add emphasis. Beginning too many sentences with conjunctions will cause the device to lose its force, however, so use this technique sparingly." As you correctly pointed out.
I used to edit documents for a living. Depending on the style guide--Chicago Manual of Style, AP, etc--rules vary. @sockpuppet is just being a stuck-up ass, choosing pedantry over comprehension.
I'm with you. I didn't say I frowned upon it. I'm meaning in the sense that two folks on this post felt the need to point it out
Person with an "English degree". Doesn't know basic grammar rules. Hilarious!
We do love to tolerate people being educated, correct. But to change the topic (got you again with some Conjunction game), I'm sorry your life is so awful that when you decided to troll, you couldn't even raise yourself to Reddit. A watch forum? It's almost as niche as what people would describe your social circle. Imaginary. All the best! ❤
There is some information about Mark Twain. He even was in the watch business for a while, and a movement had his name in it. Smithsonian published an article about this failed venture. Also, Voltaire was deep into watchmaking, and his company still exists: Manufacture Royale (extremely expensive watches, by the way.) I should mention that Twain wrote a short story titled "My Watch", and it is very funny. One of the things that amazed me about War and Peace, is the presence of watches and clocks in the Bolkonsky's villa. There is also a meaningful watch in Elective Affinities, by Goethe. And thousands of ideas on time in Proust's novel.