For the longest time I didn’t have a watch. Then I purchased a Fastrack, which I lost within a year (and was not bothered to find). I felt repelled by stuff clinging to my body (even underwear, wearing which too I avoided).
One obligation I had was to wear glasses, which I felt a burden too. I was always worrying about the specs falling, or getting dirty or wet. My third and fourth eyes were staple (and unwanted) accessories for most of my life.
Until I had to wear a ring. I loathed the idea, but the pundit predicted doom (which came anyways). I obtained an emerald-set gold ring, which I (surprisingly) admired from the outset.
It had brilliant color and was calming to the senses. In the beginning I feared losing it, but eventually I got a hang of hanging on to it. The ring calibrated itself around my little finger (and never fell off).
So now there was something that clung to by body, yet I liked (a lot). A few barriers were breaking.
I felt I needed a timepiece.
After some research and assistance from a friend, I found a green dial watch. I associated the leafy color with superior watch aesthetics. Rolex has a brilliant green dial, which had my fancy (their affiliation with Wimbledon peaked my interest). The imagery was strong.
It was an attractive watch. The green dial went well with a brown leather strap. What charmed me most was the spherical crown, shaped like a dome, and diamond shaped minute marks on the bezel.
All its elements were agreeable to me. It was a quirky apparatus deftly representing my eccentricities. It looked lovely and matched my viridescent ring, a nice touch.
When I wore it to office, a few people liked it, but for most it was too green. I rationalized (to myself) its qualities, most of which was justified. But was it The One watch I would wear? Is anyone’s choice of a singular watch green in color? Probably not so, I thought. The need of balance (which is) essential to my senses was pestering me. Something was not right.
At one point, I realized this was not The One watch I had to have.
The process that should have started earlier was set in motion after this realization. I had not researched enough, contrary to my instincts/behavior. I tried to find as much about my watch as I could.
While at it, I read about the inherent scorn horologists maintain for fashion watches, such as my Guess, and also others including Tommy, Diesel, Armani, and Fossil. I was, however, pleased to know that my timer was made by Timex, though not a legendary horologist, but still decent.
I realized I liked my watch well enough; but didn’t love it. I found a solution to this problem; to obtain another one complementary to the existing piece. Owning it would make me appreciate the old accessory more; as rotation would flatter its (already pretty) features.
Just as I figured I wanted a new toy, I ceased taking any care of my verdant appendage, and wore it to the beach and into the water on my travels to Goa. The leather strap got damp and became discolored. Now I really needed a new fitment.
Following this episode I began investigating the horological paradigm like a madman. I viewed video after video, in search for the next acquisition.
I plunged into frequenting the timekeeping sections in Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle to peruse their collections. One day in the former store I saw a Casio watch- heavy, steel-strapped--- gorgeous.
I loved the piece, yet felt it was not for me, as I was all for opposing features- light contraptions and leather straps. But its image lingered in my consciousness ever since.
I often reminisced about the glittering gadget I saw on the counter, the beautiful contours of its form (flattering the lugs), steel bracelet harmonizing with the black dial, and sapphire glass which would keep the face eternally scratch-free (greatly flattering the gem-like hour markers).
I explored some more and found that a person gets used to heavy chronometers, and even misses the weight, bereft of its company. The steel bracelet does not cause excess perspiration, nor does it trap forearm-hair. It was some good quality rationalization.
After months of deliberation I purchased it. It was a beauty, just as I had imagined. I and my new ticker were inseparable. I loved wearing it, polishing it, and admiring it as it glistened differently in different lights and angles. It brought me great delight.
But even as I had planned to wear it in rotation, I mostly neglected the older timepiece.
When I got sick, and was in the hospital, my father wore the wristwatch for some time. It was great to see him put it on (when he visited me), as I could see how delightful the Casio looked. I also relished how he enjoyed wearing it. My father is a simple man and doesn’t buy good things for himself, so this gave me great pleasure.
I’ve been sick 2 years now. The watch is always lying near me, mostly over the speaker (my other prized possession), to tell me the time when I’m working/studying. I put it on when I go outdoors for walks (or elsewhere).
I have been away from the old wristwatch for about 2 years now. Paradoxically, I miss it and dearly wish for it to be in my custody. I yearn for some variation and color at this point. Once/if I get the green-dial, it will receive the love it deserves (which has been kept from it). We will come full circle.
A friend told me that a good timepiece becomes a part of our lives. They are intimate possessions. There’s wonder and pride every time we wear them. They have a long existence; they serve their masters for years. Their use and rotation varies over time and with each passing year they acquire more personality and history.
I don’t even know if I’ll find it (as I was not present at the time of packing). But I’ll be delighted to. Till we get to the (packed) boxes, we wait……
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