Watch Stories: 1970's Omega Geneve
My father's vintage Omega Geneve mechanical from the early 70's. This was the watch he wore when we emigrated from Hong Kong in that same decade. During his time there, he helped secure the contract to build one of Hong Kong's iconic buildings, the Connaught Centre (now called Jardine House).
When his employer found out he was emigrating, he brought him to the AD, and invited him to pick any watch in the store as a farewell gift, and my dad chose this one. A man of humility and consideration, even with the choice of any watch in the store, that's my father!
He recently had it serviced during a trip to Hong Kong, and runs like it ever did. The guy at the store offered to buy it from him for $20,000 HKD, and my father refused. That's my dad!
Horological romantic and OCD photog, spending far too much time peering down into this crazy rabbit hole that is watch collecting.
Such a great story, and a great looking watch too.
Such a great story, and a great looking watch too.
Thanks for commenting Paul, my father will be happy to hear that folks like the story.
Cool story, cool watch, cool dad 😎
Cool story, cool watch, cool dad 😎
I'll admit it, he is pretty cool. :)
Lovely story! I get all nostalgic whenever I read stories about Hong Kong, emigrated to Canada Dec 24 1956 will respectfully disagree with Tennesse Williams who famously wrote that time was the greatest distance between two places because I have never strayed far mentally from my birthplace. Thx for the post. My buddies and I used to joke that guys from the East have no difficulty learning how to pronounce Omega and of course also Rolex. Omega was my introduction into decent watches, still crazy after all the years from my first Seamaster in 60.
Great taste by greater man. Will look good in leather. Back than, the brands were more adventurous with the casr shapes, nowadays, mostly rounds unless for the reserved ones.
Lovely story! I get all nostalgic whenever I read stories about Hong Kong, emigrated to Canada Dec 24 1956 will respectfully disagree with Tennesse Williams who famously wrote that time was the greatest distance between two places because I have never strayed far mentally from my birthplace. Thx for the post. My buddies and I used to joke that guys from the East have no difficulty learning how to pronounce Omega and of course also Rolex. Omega was my introduction into decent watches, still crazy after all the years from my first Seamaster in 60.
Nice to meet another Konger. You're right about one's heritage. My father, despite the time spent in the western world, thinks like a Hongkonger first despite his own protests to the contrary.
Nice to meet another Konger. You're right about one's heritage. My father, despite the time spent in the western world, thinks like a Hongkonger first despite his own protests to the contrary.
I came when I was 3 so my language skills are not great but mentally I am still from the old world. My wife is from Taiwan so at least one of us is fluent in Chinese. That is a beautiful building. Have a great day.
Thanks for sharing the story. That what I like most is the intersection of life wand watches.
Thanks for sharing the story. That what I like most is the intersection of life wand watches.
That intersection rarely never happens. Truth be told, it's what draws me to watches. It's one of those few things we wear on a daily basis, that is still there decades later, and we're still wearing it. It's the second witness to everything we do in life.
Glad you shared with us.