Presenting a watch to near and dear ones is very common in our society
Pradip Biswal
Recently my son bought an Apple Wrist Watch having three imported wrist watches in his possession. Cost is not an issue for the youngsters and their passion is more important. I recollect my younger days when I got a wrist watch for me. It was a square type watch earlier used by my father and once he got a better one it was passed on to my uncle. When my uncle got married he was presented with a Seiko automatic watch by his in laws. His younger brother was eyeing the old watch but I prevailed to get it for myself. It was my priced possession for few years.
During my post graduation, I got a merit scholarship and the first thing I did was to purchase a new HMT watch for me since the old one was giving frequent troubles. Later, I had so many watches adorned my wrist although not so costly, till my son presented me a costly Tissot watch few years back after he got handsome salary in a central PSU. I reprimanded him for such reckless spending, but my better half prevailed over me saying that he has done his part as a son which I should have appreciated. From Rs. 4000 my wrist watch jumped ten times in cost to satisfy the enthusiasm of my prodigal son.
Presenting a watch to near and dear ones is very common in our society. I have done so on many occasions, since it’s affordable and signifies expression of love and affection. Equally I have received a few from my friends and colleagues on different occasions. Some of them are still in my possession and remind me of their loving presence in my life. I remember when I managed to get a decent job I also presented a wrist watch to my father who was quite happy with this gesture.
Few years later the watch showed frequent troubles and when I came to know about it, I presented him another golden colour watch. He used to put it on his wrist whenever he goes out on any occasion. Now at the advanced age of 87 with multiple ailments, he has no scope to wear it when he is bound to his bed most of the time. Still he has retained it in his cupboard as a priced possession. Watches also fascinate the children so much that my two years old granddaughter snatched my wrist watch the other day and tried to wear it on her wrist to the bemusement of the senior members of the family.
Wrist watches are considered as an ornament for many these days. People have collection of watches of various types and prices. In India the HMT watches were popular once upon a time. It was replaced by TITAN watches. Of course there’s always a market for foreign watches in our country for the rich people. The Swiss watches had a good market in India at one point of time. It’s a luxury for many. Some of the costly brands are priced in lakhs but there is no dearth of buyers for such products. Ladies prefer gold, platinum and diamond studded watches. It’s like a bracelet for many of them. There are exclusive showrooms for such costly watches in big cities.
Going by the history of wrist watches one may discover that it was made in early 19th century in Europe. Queen Caroline Murat, the sister of Napoleon ordered for a wrist watch in the year 1810. Another record says that in 1868 a Swiss watch maker created the first wrist watch for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. Some others assign this event to 1886. All said and done, wrist watch was a product of 19th century.
I have noticed few people at high places without wearing watches. Mahatma Gandhi didn’t have a wrist watch. There was Dr. Ramakant Jena, a very respectable professor of commerce at Utkal University who passed away few months back who never had watch on his wrist. Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, ex Chief Secretary of Odisha and a very tough bureaucrat of the state is such a person without a wrist watch. Once a very funny incident happened in his chamber when he was the Finance Secretary. Bishnu Das, then an MLA, had come to visit him for some public issues. Suddenly he asked Shri Mohapatra the reason for not wearing a wrist watch. Shri Mahapatra gave him an amusing smile.
Now-a-days, the mobile phones double up as a wrist watch for many and the young generation prefers to go without a watch. Today many film stars and politicians also don’t wear watches and pose to be simple in public. May be wrist watches will be things of the past in future.
(The author is a poet & columnist and a former bureaucrat. Views expressed are personal)
Most of us baby boomers have a similar story to recount. Especially how we got our first watch that was a hand-me-down. And a new HMT with our transition from school to college. Your write-up takes us down the memory lane. Yes, the mobile has made watches and cameras practically redundant.
Beautiful memories. My father also presented a hmt,tarun watch for me during my P.U. and P.P. days.But i always eying his old but decent watch which he worn for many years. During my marriage to Subha one of her relatives presented me a battery HMT watch . I used it for years together. But subsequently my elder sister in law presented a costly Rado swiss watch brought from usa. When my friends saw it they were asotinised saying u r using so costly watch. But later the watch was defunct. I showed a mechanic but he could not repair it and said me to leave it in his shop. But i didnot leave it because i want to keep it for myself as a gift of my elder sister in law and it is lying in the cup board of my steel Almira. Thereafter i used with mobile to verify the time. Thanks reminding me of my older days by writing your article.
Brilliantly articulated, more power to your pen!
Chronicling life’s good times around watches, Poet Pradip Biswal watches the watch’s evolution while time flows as gentle breeze over his enchanting experiences. Pradip sir’s writing takes one on a joyride through mory lane of a richly lived, life mundane …
Traditional human habits such as putting on wrist watch,writing letters on post card and meeting friends at their residence, symbolising heart’s voice are replaced widely by modern means of digital tools reflecting mind’s superficial imposition in the present days for a comfortable connectivity.
Presentation of facts tinged with emotions attached with wrist watches of yore. Youngsters nowadays prefer to go without a watch but watch is still fashionable.
Nice write up. Around 2015 there was a strong buzz that very soon wrist watches are going to vanish & to be a part of big rich classes only. But that didn’t happen. Why not : my thoughts as below…
Wristwatches have evolved from purely functional devices into symbols of style, status, and personal identity. Despite the ubiquity of mobile phones, wristwatches still hold several unique advantages:
1. Convenience: Checking the time on a wristwatch is often quicker and more discreet than pulling out a phone.
2. Fashion and Status: Watches are a fashion statement, reflecting personal style and, in some cases, status. Luxury watches, in particular, are seen as symbols of success and sophistication.
3.Functionality Beyond Time: Modern watches often come with additional features such as fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, or GPS, making them useful tools in various aspects of daily life.
4. Reduced Distraction: Looking at your watch to check the time doesn’t lead to the distractions that checking your phone might, such as seeing notifications or messages.
5.Durability and Reliability: Watches, especially those designed for specific purposes like diving or aviation, are built to be durable and reliable in extreme conditions, where a phone might not be practical or safe to use.
6.Cultural and Emotional Value: Many people value watches for their sentimental value, whether as heirlooms, gifts, or tokens of significant life events.
While mobile phones may have reduced the necessity of wristwatches for timekeeping, the cultural, functional, and emotional significance of watches ensures they remain relevant and cherished by many.
( Personally, much prior to the mobile phones I had stopped wearing a wristwatch..from 1987 to 2017…The reason may sound funny: I got a HMT wrist watch with steel band from my in laws during marriage in 1985. But as I normally sweat more the wrist band every four months got rusted & to change it it cost around ₹150 in those days. After changing the wrist band few times I decided to dump the watch till my son gave me a Tommy Helfiger watch purchased from Bangalore airport. Along with that watch now my son has given me a smartwatch. But I use them sparingly! Even without a watch I was always punctual with my duty… more than the people who were wearing watches!)
Your write up stirred my thoughts on wrist watches and I felt like sharing the same with you.