First Watch/First Watch of Your Collection?

[NewToWatches]

Like many children of the 70's in the U.S., my first watch was a wind-up Timex. No second hand.  I think I was 10 years old or so.  It was water resistant (thankfully) and had a golden colored bezel, squared-off hands and dark blue face.  I don't recall what happened to it -- it probably succumbed to some physical neglect in my early teen years, which put the lie to the term "shock proof." (As in "shock proof, but not teen-proof" -- not a catchy marketing phrase, but nearer to the truth.)

The first significant watch of my adult life, I bought in my early forties.  It was/is a Hamilton Khaki automatic. . . one made prior to the current long-power-reserve model.  I say "significant" because even though I wore it daily for years it was the watch that started me thinking of timepieces in more than simply utilitarian terms.   I actually purchased it because an older cousin, for whom I have a great deal of affection, wore/wears an Omega Speedmaster -- the original Moonwatch version. He was, at the time he bought it in the mid-1970's, a helicopter pilot -- and this no doubt contributed to my sense that the watch was an active accomplice in his various acts of daring. Anyway the Khaki was the watch I could afford that bore -- in my mind at least -- the greatest resemblance to the more desired timepiece.   I put the Khaki on this morning, but just switched it for a dressy Eglin automatic.  Seriously, who wears more than one watch a day?  It's a sickness, I tell you. But what a way to go . . .

So how about it WRT?  What was your first watch and then the watch that set you on your current path?  Inquiring minds want to know.

[PastorChris]

My first was a simple round case timex with a maroon face and maroon vinyl band. Took it apart and something went, "boing" and that was the end of that watch but the beginning of my fascination.

Second watch, and the first watch I bought myself, with my first real paycheck at age 14 was another Timex; square gold tone case and dial and bracelet. Bought from the local 5 and 10 store.

Things have waxed and waned since then, but never truly gone away. The pandemic has sparked a renewed interest in the bits inside that go "boing"!