Thursday, October 29, 2009

Watches

I don't usually wear a watch - do you? The two exceptions are when I'm traveling (no one wants to miss that connecting flight...) or when I'm teaching. I've recently taken up tutoring again, which is code for "having fun with little kids at France Exchange in Los Angeles," so I pulled my watches out of the drawer.
Both are very precious to me. The elegant yet sporty Tag Heuer model was given to me by my generous parents on the occasion of my 20th birthday. The other one is an Omega that is quite ancient since it goes back to the days when my father was a young man - he bought in 1965, in Dakar, Senegal, where he was then living... Unlike the Tag, this Omega is a mechanical watch, meaning that it's powered by the energy from your wrist rather than a battery; every time I use it, I just adjust the time, shake-shake-shake my wrists and it's good to go. Very environment-friendly. Magical.

30 comments:

Spangler Cummings said...

Your appreciation of life is contagious. I don't wear watches, either (Based on, if I want to be there, I will be there). However, Dick just bought me a "boyfriend" watch. How can I resist wearing that?

Debra said...

I do wear a watch- just like yours! And I have my late Father's watch, which is very dear to me. But... I don't always want to know what time it is.

Mary-Laure said...

SPANGLER - you spoiled gal! Your husband is such a treasure!
You should feature your watch on your blog.

DEBRA - I'd love to see your late Father's watch on your blog...

Joyful said...

I'd love a watch that I could shake and it would be good to go! ha ha that is so kewl. Mom and dad never wore watchs and I almost couldn't due to allergies. I found one that is nickel free.

Joyful said...

I'd love a watch that I could shake and it would be good to go! ha ha that is so kewl. Mom and dad never wore watchs and I almost couldn't due to allergies. I found one that is nickel free.

Laura in Paris said...

To put time in a little box ... hmmm, needed nowadays, so we better make the box nice. I've always loved your TagHeur.

Taocito said...

As a pooch I don't wear a watch. My devoted owner used to be called "miss swatch" by her mama, as she was slightly obsessed with knowing the time. However she has put all her watches away months ago and decided that ticking arms should no longer dictate her day. On occasions when she must wear a watch though, she usually borrows it from my step owner. She enjoys wearing those masculine designs on her little wrist.

mansuetude said...

no watch here...
i have a man's watch with leather band i loved for a while... have no idea where it is.

CashmereLibrarian said...

Fabulous watches, both! I wear a watch always: right now a decent Seiko, but I'd love a Cartier tank or Santos someday.

Angie Muresan said...

I have a few chunky men's watches, but rarely wear them. My three year old daughter only likes to play with my things, often misplacing them. It's easier to keep them safe until she's past this stage, than it is to remind her to be careful.

jean-louis said...

Je crois me souvenir qu'il s'agit de l'Omega Seamaster que j'utilisais en regate sur mon voilier.La notice la donnait etanche jusqu'a -300m C'etait bien sur rassurant mais,qui aurait pu tester cette etancheite !!Dad

Satsuki said...

Qu'elles sont belles ! J'ai un faible pour l'Omega… Je me suis abstenue de porter une montre pendant des années – je trouvais cela stressant ! Mais je porte assidûment celle que mon ami m'a offerte, une Eterna.

Mary-Laure said...

JOYFUL - ah yes, the allergy problem, I know that my sister struggled with that too...

TAOCITO - I'm told they call you Rolex because you seem to know time better than the most accurate watch.

CASHMERE - oh the Cartier Tank is such a classic! It's beautiful!

Unknown said...

oh wow....how lucky are the students to have you as a french teacher! ;)) i am sure you are a wonderful teacher!
i lovely watches...unfortunately i don't wear watches since, if they have batteries...something in me, makes them stop...so i use my cell as a clock...;)

Iñaki said...

I feel naked without a watch. I have gone back home more than once because I can't go through the day without it.
My favorite is a gold and leather one I got from my grandpa.

xx

marie said...

love these. i used to wear a watch all the time, but stopped after high school. i think i can be more in the moment when im not worrying about the time. i have a weird inbuilt alarm clock, i can wake up when i need to without an alarm! very strange :)

Gabbi said...

Beautiful watches, especially with the history behind them both. I have a couple of watches but nothing with much of a history to it... well, not like these :)

Wishing you a Happy Halloween!!

Mary-Laure said...

IF JANE - you know, the exact same thing used to happen to me: my watches with batteries would just stop, for some reason...

INAKI - I'd love to see your grandfather's watch...

Giulia said...

I love watches but mine are not working..for about 3 years. Repair had to be put off for more important things (cat food, books, flowers, donations, etc). But I am so so so so so sick of pulling out the darn cell phone. Shaking the watches didn't work, alas.

I don't constantly look at my watch though...but yes, it is a necessity when one has to be somewhere on time. And it might as well look good...I have a fondness for tank-style watches (I can't possibly afford a Cartier but don't care) or a bracelet style--but with some oomph.

OK, so now you're costing me bucks, M-L! I'm about to buy something from tortilla girl, & now this. Aieeeee. If Benjy & Tacocito weren't so adorable, I'd have to boycott AUREA for the holiday season. But I couldn't possibly:)

Happy Hallowe'en, you stylish devil.

xoxo

Susan

Sam said...

Oh! They are lovely! Full of sentiment and both very stylish in their own way! I always wear a watch because I'm a teacher and I have starting and stopping times for vlasses to keep an eye on plus all the in between bits!! ...and I've just bought my first watch ever for myself - usually I wore my Mum's or Dad's or was given one..it's an armani - I love it - it's big and retro! Have a lovely weekend!

Mardi Michels said...

Those are beautiful. Neil collects watches but I think his favourite is his dad's old one. Very retro and memory inducing. I have two - one for travel and one for everyday.

Esti said...

i don't wear watches. nunca. solo me gusta verselos en las muñecas a otros.

Taocito said...

Indeed, Rolex was my nickname. As a pet it is very important to keep track of time. So I always know when it is 7PM (feeding time), 10PM (going out time), and I am never afraid to let my owner know it is time for action. Does Benjy read time as well?

Mary-Laure said...

GIULIA - I'm so excited you may buy something from Tortilla Girl! DO mention you heard about her through my blog, ans she'll be even more helpful than she always is...
Taocito and Benjy send friendly woofs to furry Giulia, from Amsterdam and Los Angeles.

SAM - I totally know what you mean; when I teach, I need my watch too. Show us your Armani on your blog!

MARDI - I'd love to see the watches in Neil's collection!

TAOCITO - Benjy is a hedonist who lives without regard to time... He goes with the flow, knows no schedule. Maybe that's what keeps him so young and pert.

Taocito said...

May I say to Giulia, thank you for thinking and voicing out that I am indeed adorable. While I did have a slight "chewing on expensive items" phase (I am sooooo over it btw, so my owner can buy pricey shoes now), I am now a really well behaved in addition to really well traveled pooch. Pets of the world, should you need advice on how to travel cargo in style, lemme know!

Giulia said...

Oh Tacocito...just shutting down way too late of a Hallowe'en eve (in DC) but wanted to send hugs & kisses on GG's behalf. She loves pups & will get quite an eyeful at the vet's on Monday (annual check-up). She doesn't know we're going but will be more than willing to hop into her carrying bag. Sometimes, she carries around her harness & lead (pink cherry-blossom print in a nod to her hometown), looking soulfully like a pup wanting a walk.

You're not left out, Benjy dear. Happy Hallowe'en & no chocolates for pups!

xoxo to Tacocito & Benjy

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Oh, wow - if I wore a watch, those two would definitely be candidates... I feel like there is a clock telling you what the time is every turn you take - especially now with laptops and cells, too... But of course, they don't look as glamorous as the two you have here...

-maria

Unknown said...

well do watches with batteries now work for you??? i stil cannot wear them...;(

Mary-Laure said...

VINTAGE SIMPLE - you're so right, there are clocks everywhere, what with computers, cell phones and everything.

IF JANE - my Tag never stopped working actually! I found that expensive watches didn't stop on my wrist whereas cheaper watches would stop... Strange, no?

Mary-Laure said...
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