Overcoming your Childhood
It was a rainy Saturday in the spring of 1988. My maternal grandmother accompanied me on a trip to the city, as she was determined that the child needed a real watch, not some device of the newfangled digital fad, which was bound to pass.
She dragged me into a store called "Wempe", and I had no idea what it was. But that was okay, the store was warm and the people there friendly. Most of the watches looked boring, and I was not supposed to get a digital watch. But wait, there was the greyish watch from Seiko. Still quartz, still accurate as my digital watch, and so light with a titanium case, you could hardly feel it. I was sold, and my grandmother was happy and proud, as her grandson now had a real watch.
While I own a number of watches by other manufacturers, I have not been able to shake the Seiko habit. And this leads me to the following question: "Does your childhood still affect your current watch-buying behavior?"
I got my first watch at a Liggett/Rexall drug store from a carousel display on the counter. Saved my allowance and money made from mowing lawns (with a push mower) for abour 2 months to get that 14.95 Timex.
My purchasing is a lot different now-but I still have a soft spot for Timex.
I got my first watch at a Liggett/Rexall drug store from a carousel display on the counter. Saved my allowance and money made from mowing lawns (with a push mower) for abour 2 months to get that 14.95 Timex.
My purchasing is a lot different now-but I still have a soft spot for Timex.
Two months of mowing lawns with a push mower? You must have really wanted that Timex. Do you still own it?
My first real watch was a hand me down mechanical Timex of my father's. I put it on a very wide leather strap with grommets. It must have been at least two inches wide. On my juvenile wrist it looked more like a buckler. I still have the perspective that you must start with Timex and explore with that as your base. (That Timex disappears from the annals in about 1976.)
My first real watch was a hand me down mechanical Timex of my father's. I put it on a very wide leather strap with grommets. It must have been at least two inches wide. On my juvenile wrist it looked more like a buckler. I still have the perspective that you must start with Timex and explore with that as your base. (That Timex disappears from the annals in about 1976.)
Yes, I do believe there is more of an appreciation when you start with a basic watch. I think there is also a certain fondness for a brand that took you from having no watch to having a watch. At least for me it made a big difference, as I was dependent on public transportation.
Two months of mowing lawns with a push mower? You must have really wanted that Timex. Do you still own it?
It was a long time ago.
That watch is long gone.
It was a long time ago.
That watch is long gone.
That's a pity. My brother lost my first digital watch. The watch described in my opening post is still ticking away happily, although it shows plenty of wear.
My first memory of being so enamored with a watch as a child was when I watched the movie Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty. It was the early 90’s and I was like 9 years old. At the time, I thought the movie and the watch were the coolest things I’d have ever seen 😂 While watches with walky-talkies never became the norm, I still chase that childhood nostalgia in discovering watches that still give me that “umph” feeling.
My first memory of being so enamored with a watch as a child was when I watched the movie Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty. It was the early 90’s and I was like 9 years old. At the time, I thought the movie and the watch were the coolest things I’d have ever seen 😂 While watches with walky-talkies never became the norm, I still chase that childhood nostalgia in discovering watches that still give me that “umph” feeling.
I have to admit, I haven't thought of Dick Tracy in a while. Warren Beatty, right? I think you're on to something that watches are a lot about nostalgia. I personally like the feeling that they are very tangible. You can see them, own them entirely, and keep them for as long as you like. Not something to be made obsolete by the manufacturer through simply shutting down a cloud API.
I was more or less locked in my room for three years, and fed nothing but bully beef and frozen peas. To this day I can't so much as look at a green watch.
My first watch was a Timex Ironman, ladies' size, around age 6. A family friend in the Army was wearing the men's version of the same and showed me how to read military time. I changed mine to display it and just felt like the coolest kid with my date/time/chrono/alarm/timer tech. Many warm memories of adventures and mischief wearing it.
Now my oldest is 4 years old and I just bought him his first Timex, though an analog with a spinning helicopter for a second hand. I guess Timex as a first watch has become a family tradition.
I was more or less locked in my room for three years, and fed nothing but bully beef and frozen peas. To this day I can't so much as look at a green watch.
I was at one time eating corned beef for about a month, and was completely fed up. In your case, there has to be a story behind it.
My first watch was a Timex Ironman, ladies' size, around age 6. A family friend in the Army was wearing the men's version of the same and showed me how to read military time. I changed mine to display it and just felt like the coolest kid with my date/time/chrono/alarm/timer tech. Many warm memories of adventures and mischief wearing it.
Now my oldest is 4 years old and I just bought him his first Timex, though an analog with a spinning helicopter for a second hand. I guess Timex as a first watch has become a family tradition.
That Timex is great, I'm sure you have a proud 4-year-old. 😉 By boy is 17, and to this day won't wear a watch, unfortunately.
Not my childhood - for me watches weren't anything more than tools I used for stuff until my forties. But I must admit my media consumption during my late teens to late 20's in the 90's has made an indelible mark on my 50 something views now building an impenetrable wall between me and Rolex.
Not my childhood - for me watches weren't anything more than tools I used for stuff until my forties. But I must admit my media consumption during my late teens to late 20's in the 90's has made an indelible mark on my 50 something views now building an impenetrable wall between me and Rolex.
Well, to be honest, while watches meant something to me since childhood, I spent my money on other things in my 20s (no details will be provided) and my 30s. But I'm curious, what exactly happened with Rolex in the 90s?
Yes. My first watches were Timex and Seiko. It has affected my buying as I will never buy either again. There are always better choices, imo.
I was more or less locked in my room for three years, and fed nothing but bully beef and frozen peas. To this day I can't so much as look at a green watch.
At least you're ok now?
At least you're ok now?
It never stops hurting, but I get by, one day at a time... One day at a time.
Yes. My first watches were Timex and Seiko. It has affected my buying as I will never buy either again. There are always better choices, imo.
Sure, both Timex and Seikos have budget offerings, and there will definitely be nicer watches. I somehow have the opposite problem, and that is not limited to watches, either.
No. I'm just glad that I can get watches that aren't the size of hubcaps now.
Sure, both Timex and Seikos have budget offerings, and there will definitely be nicer watches. I somehow have the opposite problem, and that is not limited to watches, either.
Relax on that sofa and tell us more 🤓
Relax on that sofa and tell us more 🤓
I was born relatively poor, but made a few right choices along the way. Money is something I shift from deposit accounts to money market accounts, and eventually into investments twice a month. I rarely think about it. Because of it, it also doesn't mean much to me to buy something expensive. It's just money either way.