When I think of pocket watches I think of the television series The Lost World based on the book of the same title by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Why you may ask? Try to find that series and have a look. You’ll see Professor George Edward Challenger many times reference time to his trusted pocket watch. Forgive me, but I don’t remember the exact maker and model of that said watch.
And then there was I. A young boy, reading encyclopedias, watching Cartoon Network, and being interested in anything about everything. At that time I have not yet read the book itself, I just wanted to be a zoologist, a biologist, a scientist, or maybe all the above, and on TV I saw this captivating series about a group of stranded explorers in a lost world full of dinosaurs, strange people, plants and animals. Yes, I do remember Mr Challenger, but that is about it I am afraid, I could not name any other character. Also, the only reason I do remember the professor is because of his watch.
After watching this series I wanted a pocket watch of my own. I asked my mother if I could get one. I could not. Every time we went for some reason to a jewelry store I went straight to see their watches. And there it was. A pocket watch on display for sale. Of course back then it cost a fortune. But at least I was able to see one with my own eyes. And so it went. Every time The Lost World was on TV I fixated on Challenger’s watch. Every time we went past that jewelry store I asked my parents if we would go inside and look at the watch.
But as with all things time goes by. The series ended. And slowly the watch faded out of memory. Also, the last time when I decided to visit the jewelry store I wondered (silly me) if the watch is still there. It was not. Of course. Was it bought? I don’t know. But it was gone.
Currently, I know only one person who has a pocket watch. This one below:
It belongs to the same person who has that skeletonized Tissot I wrote about earlier. When I first saw it I immediately remembered Mr Challenger and his pocket watch. It was a nice memory. If had the chance I would get a pocket watch to myself as well. I don’t need a pocket watch with an enameled dial, but at least one with a mechanical movement. You also already know why I like mechanical movements so much, right?
Well, that is the story. You could argue that because of “The Lost World” my passion for time, watches, and clocks started. Hard to say why. I will let historians think about it.
And one more thing. I think I might buy a BALTIC watch. This one – Bicompax 002. What do you think? Should I buy it for Christmas or maybe wait till next year when my employment contract gets extended? It is tempting.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
